Glossary · Local search
Review gating.
Asking customers how they feel first and only inviting the happy ones to leave a public review.
Why it matters.
It is against Google's policy, it is detectable in the pattern of what arrives, and it puts the listing at risk. It is also unnecessary: businesses that ask everyone, promptly, end up with a higher rating than those that filter, because the volume of ordinary satisfied customers outweighs the occasional complaint.
How to check it yourself.
Check how your review requests are worded. If any step asks people to rate privately before deciding who gets the public link, remove it.
Questions
Straight answers.
How do I check review gating on my own site?
Check how your review requests are worded. If any step asks people to rate privately before deciding who gets the public link, remove it.
Check yours
The same test,
on your address.
We do not guess and we do not send a report by email. Type the address, wait ten seconds, read what comes back. If your site is fine it will say so.
Think yours needs
rebuilding?
Send us the address and what you do. We will look at what is there and tell you whether a rebuild is worth the money, or whether the problem is somewhere else entirely.