Google
February 2023 Product Reviews Update
In brief
Product reviews update extended to several languages and to other types of review content (services, destinations).
Key points
- Reviews system extended to several additional languages.
- Broadening beyond products: services, destinations, media and other evaluative content.
- A constant premium on demonstrated expertise and first-hand experience.
- Rollout spread over roughly two weeks.
Analysis
This update marks a double broadening: geographic (new languages, including French) and thematic (reviews no longer concern only physical products but all evaluative content). The scope of the system therefore expands significantly.
For French-speaking publishers offering service comparisons, destination recommendations or tests, the quality requirement previously centered on English becomes directly relevant. Demonstrating real experience remains the central criterion.
What to do
- Extend the review best practices (proof, expertise, comparisons) to all evaluative content, not just products.
- Check that French-language review content provides verifiable first-hand value.
- Monitor the positions of service and destination evaluation pages, newly concerned.
Impact
Review quality is judged over a broader scope. A constant premium on demonstrated expertise.