Momma Smurf
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- Dec 6, 2010
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Do a Google Search and you will notice that all Trip Advisor Reviews went AWOL beginning December 4th!!! Google Place Rankings are being drastically altered.
Speculation is that the advent of Google's new Hotpot is direct competition against TA; and also Google is on a path to do away with reviews by unverified users--but would not explain why B&B.com reviews are still showing.Momma smurf is it due to the new Beta Google being live now or is it live due to some hacks? Just noticed when I did a search it is that encrypted version that I get:
https://encrypted.google.com.
This was my guess too. I suspect that B&B.com is small potatoes to Google, but their day may come.Speculation is that the advent of Google's new Hotpot is direct competition against TA; and also Google is on a path to do away with reviews by unverified users--but would not explain why B&B.com reviews are still showing.Momma smurf is it due to the new Beta Google being live now or is it live due to some hacks? Just noticed when I did a search it is that encrypted version that I get:
https://encrypted.google.com.
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Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).I see where you are coming from, and for all those who are in high touristy areas with tons of competition I feel your pain, after all the hard work and all the great reviews.
Pls keep us updated on the word on the street as you find it, will appreciate it and hope for the best. Google wants to rule the world, and is getting closer day by day..
Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).I see where you are coming from, and for all those who are in high touristy areas with tons of competition I feel your pain, after all the hard work and all the great reviews.
Pls keep us updated on the word on the street as you find it, will appreciate it and hope for the best. Google wants to rule the world, and is getting closer day by day..
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by search returns you are referring to a search of My City bed and breakfast???Alibi Ike said:Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).
One of the reasons I have recommended people diversify their requested reviews. One for Google, one for TA, one for B&B.com ... Interesting to see this all play out..
And why you are the great wise one. And why I am glad I listened!swirt said:One of the reasons I have recommended people diversify their requested reviews. One for Google, one for TA, one for B&B.com ... Interesting to see this all play out.
Yes, a search for 'my town, state B&B' used to return the B&B's that were on the map first, then other B&B's and then the directories or TA reviews in the last slot(s). Now the directories have the first slots and the actual B&B's have fallen to the last 7 slots (the 'local' results).Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).I see where you are coming from, and for all those who are in high touristy areas with tons of competition I feel your pain, after all the hard work and all the great reviews.
Pls keep us updated on the word on the street as you find it, will appreciate it and hope for the best. Google wants to rule the world, and is getting closer day by day..
.by search returns you are referring to a search of My City bed and breakfast???Alibi Ike said:Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).
My listing is still 1st with ABC listings (as shown on map) My website is still #1 in generic listings below that but is now followed by 2 directories before yahoo travel and then my TA review page. If I recall both of these directories did not appear until page 2 before. This will make them happy - at least for now.
Edited to add: did a search on a neighboring town with 3 B&Bs, the mapped listings (A,B,C - as shown on the map) are AFTER the directory listings on the 1st page. (Guess this is what you may be seeing on your search?)
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One of the reasons I have recommended people diversify their requested reviews. One for Google, one for TA, one for B&B.com ... Interesting to see this all play out..
and then if you see the remains of the day...they are the oddest review sites I have seen. Looking at a couple B&B's, there are so many review sites and if there weren't reviews on those oddball sites our listing would be also be bare, which is essentially is now. I now only have 3 reviews on the google listing, when before I had tons.swirt said:One of the reasons I have recommended people diversify their requested reviews. One for Google, one for TA, one for B&B.com ... Interesting to see this all play out.
Yes, a search for 'my town, state B&B' used to return the B&B's that were on the map first, then other B&B's and then the directories or TA reviews in the last slot(s). Now the directories have the first slots and the actual B&B's have fallen to the last 7 slots (the 'local' results).Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).I see where you are coming from, and for all those who are in high touristy areas with tons of competition I feel your pain, after all the hard work and all the great reviews.
Pls keep us updated on the word on the street as you find it, will appreciate it and hope for the best. Google wants to rule the world, and is getting closer day by day..
.by search returns you are referring to a search of My City bed and breakfast???Alibi Ike said:Interestingly enough, as soon as the TA reviews disappeared, what surged to the top of the search returns? The directories! So, the mom & pop shops have now been pushed back down the page, whereas before, with the help of TA reviews, they were at the top of the heap. Reviews help your placement on Google. There was just a big flap over someone's website getting shoved to the top by all the bad reviews he was getting, reviews that he was encouraging (bad reviews, I mean).
My listing is still 1st with ABC listings (as shown on map) My website is still #1 in generic listings below that but is now followed by 2 directories before yahoo travel and then my TA review page. If I recall both of these directories did not appear until page 2 before. This will make them happy - at least for now.
Edited to add: did a search on a neighboring town with 3 B&Bs, the mapped listings (A,B,C - as shown on the map) are AFTER the directory listings on the 1st page. (Guess this is what you may be seeing on your search?)
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Oh yeah they surely do!Alibi Ike said:Now the directories have the first slots and the actual B&B's have fallen to the last 7 slots (the 'local' results).
Holy cow!.
I second that!Joey Bloggs said:Holy cow!
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