Why Good Restaurants Have Bad Reviews & why you should never trust Google Reviews.

Instead of guiding people, it seems as though Google Maps is doing quite the opposite: misleading people and diverting traffic.

It is very common for excellent restaurants, even those deemed exceptional, to have low Google ratings. This often leads people to miss out on true hidden gems, naively believing only the “top-rated” spots, and ending up utterly disappointed.

However, despite appearing as yet another marketing trick, the explanation is fairly simple: human nature.

It’s important to note that not every customer leaves a review voluntarily. Reviewing is a choice, and customers only put in the effort when they feel an absolute need. This “need” can manifest in two ways, with the strongest inclination naturally being negative. Unfortunately, people are more likely to voice their dissatisfaction, seeking to ensure their grievances are heard by turning to the only available weapon they have against the business - Google Reviews. Customers understand the value of reviews for businesses and will go above and beyond to undermine a business’s reputation in unpleasant situations.

Conversely, positive reviews are less common and require truly exceptional experiences to prompt customers to voice their satisfaction. A simple, good and smooth experience is often insufficient to inspire customers to go the extra mile.

In addition to this primary reason, there’s an often-overlooked factor: anyone, anywhere can write a review. While this seems fair and democratic, it can be easily exploited. Reviews can be submitted by individuals who have never even set foot in the establishment, let alone been in the same continent. There’s no effective way to verify reviews, leaving the trustworthiness of Google reviews highly questionable. Businesses can exploit this knowledge to sabotage their competition’s reputation.

So, what can be done? Is there a solution?

Changing people’s habits, especially the deeply rooted dependence and reliance on Google Reviews, won’t happen overnight. However, it’s an effort worth undertaking to foster trust and restore genuine relationships between customers and businesses.