The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
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The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
How to Fight Fake Reviews in 2025: Proven Tactics from Experts
Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide
1 hour 1 minute
5 months ago
How to Fight Fake Reviews in 2025: Proven Tactics from Experts
Show Links:1. Google Reporting Toolhttps://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en2. Review Gating Widgethttps://publicwww.com/3. Google’s transparency reporthttps://transparencyreport.google.com/maps-content/enforcementDate & Time: July 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM ETDuration: 1 HoursSpeaker: Curtis Boyd & Joy HawkinsWebinar Sponsor: GatherUp245 million fake reviews!That’s how many Google deleted last year—a 44% spike from the year before. The fake review problem is growing faster than most business owners realize, and it's putting reputations, revenue, and even livelihoods on the line.In this eye-opening webinar, Joy sits down with Curtis Boyd, one of the most respected voices in online reputation management, to unpack:-How fake reviews are created and spread-What Google (and other platforms) are doing to stop them-The shocking truth about “review jail” and hidden review blocks-And the real-world tactics you can use to defend your business todayYou’ll also see live audits of fake reviews, learn how to spot them before your customers do, and walk away with a clear strategy to build authentic, positive reviews that actually stick.Whether you're a small business owner, marketing professional, or just curious about how review platforms are being gamed—this session is for you.Don’t let your reputation be controlled by fake reviews. Learn how to fight back.▬ Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬0:00:00 - Intro0:00:23 - The Prevalence of Fake Reviews0:00:30 - Google's Removal of Fake Reviews0:02:15 - Responding to Fake Reviews0:02:36 - The 3-Week Window0:07:27 - Reporting Fake Reviews0:08:43 - One-Star Ratings with No Text0:09:12 - Reporting Contributor Profiles0:19:24 - "A Google User" Reviews0:30:13 - ChatGPT and AI-Generated Reviews0:31:52 - Identifying Competitors Buying Reviews0:35:41 - Fighting Back Against Competitors Buying Reviews0:36:10 - Google "Sweeps"0:36:43 - Elbow Grease for Older Fakes0:37:38 - Impact of Losing Reviews0:38:46 - Reporting Review Gating0:41:09 - Suspensions for Buying Reviews0:41:51 - Review Blocks ("Review Jail")0:45:13 - Differentiating Real vs. Fake0:47:12 - Anonymous Profiles0:48:56 - Keywords in Review Replies0:54:21 - FTC and Review Gating0:55:32 - Review Recency as a Ranking Factor0:59:15 - Top Review Sites (Besides Google)01:00:11 - Impact of a Single Fake ReviewEP 25101
Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide
The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
