Google is an extremely effective marketing platform and search engine which is often the first destination for anyone looking for information. Google Reviews forms part of the Google Business Profile platform (formerly known as Google My Business (GMB)) which displays local business information on Google search results and Google Maps. Every business owner and consumer should become familiar with Google reviews as it can be a powerful tool able to help with decision making for the business, plus assist current and future customers.
You do not need Google or Gmail Account to leave a google review, however there are some steps involved to do this. Creating a Google account and having another email address just for reviews (if you don’t already use Google) is something many people don’t want to do. By following this guide you will learn how to leave Google Reviews without having to sign up for a Google account.
- How To Write A Google Review Without A Google Account
- Steps To Write A Google Review Without A Gmail Account
- How To Leave An Anonymous Google Review
- Why Are Google Reviews Important?
- How To Get Google Reviews
How To Write A Google Review Without A Google Account
When consumers want to leave a Google review it can be annoying to create a new email or account for the sole purpose of leaving a review. Luckily Google has recognised this issue and given an option to leave reviews without creating a Google account or having a Gmail account. Follow the steps below to learn how to leave a review on Google without a Gmail account.
Steps To Write A Google Review Without A Gmail Account
- Step 1: Search Google For The Business
- Step 2: Click The ‘Write a review’ Button
- Step 3: Click The ‘Create Account’ Button
- Step 4: Click The ‘Use my current email address’ Button
- Step 5: Create An Account Using A Non-Google Account
- Step 6: Start Writing Google Reviews
Step 1: Search Google For The Business
Go to Google or Google Maps and enter the business name that you are looking to review. On the far right of the search (or far left on maps), you will see the name of the business and a star rating underneath it.
Clicking on the number of Google reviews will bring you to the enlarged reviews menu as seen below. This is where you will find the screen to see all the business reviews that have been left and where you can leave your own online review.
Step 2: Click The ‘Write a review’ Button
The blue button labelled ‘Write a review’ can be found on the far right within the Google reviews menu screen when using Google search. On Google maps, the button is a white button and can be found underneath the number of business reviews. Clicking this button will bring you to the next step which involves the ‘Sign in’ screen.
Step 3: Click The ‘Create Account’ Button
The ‘Sign in’ page wants users to use a ‘Google Account’ to use the services, but the way around this is to click the button at the bottom labelled ‘Create account’.
You can either create an account for ‘myself’, ‘my child’ or ‘manage my business’. If the purpose of creating the account is to write a Google review, then the best button to click on would be ‘For myself’.
Step 4: Click The ‘Use my current email address’ Button
The step that will let you leave Google reviews without a ‘Gmail’ or ‘Google Account’ is by creating an account with a current email address instead. You will need to click on the blue button labelled ‘Use my current email address instead‘ to bypass creating a Google account. This will change the field displaying ‘Username’ and ‘@gmail.com’ and instead let you enter an email address already in use that is not Gmail.
Step 5: Create An Account Using A Non-Google Account
This allows you to use another email address already in use operating from a different email service provider (Outlook, Yahoo, etc.). In the field ‘Your email address’, enter the details of the email address you currently use that is not Gmail. Fill in the rest of the account details within the form and click ‘Next’ to continue.
Step 6: Start Writing Google Reviews
Follow the steps from your email provider and confirm your email address to begin the process of writing Google reviews. To leave a Google review, simply search for the business in search or maps and click on the star rating to provide your feedback.
How To Leave An Anonymous Google Review
It is possible to leave reviews without a Google account, but can these reviews be anonymous? Until 2018 it was still possible to leave Google reviews anonymously, but this feature has since been removed. These reviews were listed from ‘A Google User’ and were removed to increase trust from users and to decrease the number of fake reviews. This was done so businesses didn’t need to worry about deleting their reviews. However, you can still leave an anonymous Google review, but it is quite different to the previous method.
To create a Google account, you must include a first name and a last name. To make the review more anonymous, some users will make an alias like Awesome Software1, or even their initials (for example M H). However, Google does have some restrictions to go along with this and a lot of the time this is not allowed. Sometimes they will allow it and can be the best way to make any Google review ‘anonymous’.
Why Are Google Reviews Important?
Gathering positive online reviews is important to improve your online reputation as a business, which can help bring in new customers with an improved online presence. 97% of all consumers read online reviews, which means it is vital to gather as much customer feedback as possible to show off your business reviews. Reviews will show up on your Google Business profile and Google Maps if your star rating is high enough in comparison to competitors.
Online reviews have become the most powerful form of business marketing in 2021 as more and more consumers purchase online during the pandemic. In 2021 more than 50% of consumers believe the quality of reviews is important. In 2016, this figure was only 35%. All business owners need to know just how important reviews are now and how vital they will still be in future years to convince potential customers to do business with you instead of competitors.
How To Get Google Reviews
Google reviews are becoming increasingly vital when most customers are looking at reviews as a way to learn more about a business. Positive reviews will almost certainly help your business receive more customers, whereas negative reviews can have the opposite effect. Writing Google reviews can be very helpful for the business and for potential customers as constructive feedback can certainly help with making purchasing decisions.
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