What are the requirements to get star reviews on Google ads?

The short answer is that to earn star reviews on Google ads, your business must have at least 100 eligible reviews collected within the last 12 months. These reviews should come from Google customer reviews or reliable third-party review partners and reflect the overall consumer experience with your business.

Full Explanation

Google uses star reviews on ads as a way to showcase customer feedback about a business. However, not every business automatically qualifies to display these ratings in their ads. The core requirement is to maintain a substantial volume of customer reviews—specifically, at least 100 reviews that are eligible according to Google’s standards within the past year. These reviews must come from sources that Google recognizes, such as Google customer reviews or approved third-party review platforms.

These star ratings serve as a summary of the customers’ overall experience with your business. Essentially, they represent consumer satisfaction and trust, which Google factors in for displaying the stars alongside your ads. Without a sufficient number of eligible reviews, the star ratings won’t appear, meaning potential customers won’t see this social proof directly linked to your ads.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

  1. Collect Reviews: Focus on gathering authentic customer reviews about your business.
  2. Ensure Eligibility: Make sure these reviews come from Google customer reviews or third-party review partners that Google accepts.
  3. Reach the Threshold: Accumulate a minimum of 100 eligible reviews within the last 12 months.
  4. Maintain Recency: Reviews should be recent to reflect the current customer experience, as older reviews may not count toward the eligible total.
  5. Display Stars: Once the criteria are met, star reviews can start appearing on your Google ads, providing visual proof of your business’s reputation.

Real Examples

A business that has successfully gathered over 100 eligible reviews from Google customer reviews or approved third-party partners in the past year will see star ratings appear in their Google ads. This positive feedback highlights how consumers perceive their overall service or product quality, making the ads more appealing and likely increasing click-through rates.

Common Mistakes

  • Insufficient Reviews: Trying to get star ratings with fewer than 100 eligible reviews will result in no stars showing up.
  • Non-Eligible Sources: Reviews submitted outside of Google customer reviews or approved third-party partners won’t count toward the threshold.
  • Ignoring Recency: Older reviews beyond the 12-month window do not contribute, so maintaining recent feedback is critical.

FAQs

Can reviews from any website count toward the 100 reviews?
No, only reviews from Google customer reviews or Google-approved third-party review partners are eligible.
Do all reviews need to be from the last 12 months?
Yes, only reviews collected in the last 12 months are counted when determining eligibility for star ratings.
What do star reviews reflect?
Star reviews primarily reflect customers’ overall consumer experience with your business.

Key Takeaways

  • At least 100 eligible reviews are required within the last 12 months to get star reviews on Google ads.
  • Reviews must come from Google customer reviews or third-party review partners approved by Google.
  • The star ratings provide potential customers with a quick snapshot of overall business reputation tied to consumer experience.
  • Maintaining ongoing, recent reviews is crucial to keep star ratings visible and relevant on your ads.