How to Get Google Star Ratings in Search Results?

Have you ever wondered how some websites get the beautiful yellow stars and review count next to their web link in the Google search result? In short, websites embed a reviews snippet that generates a rating from their reviews, giving a signal to Google to display this rich snippet alongside the search result.

Well, having 5-star Google reviews is every business owner’s dream, especially for eCommerce, where customer reviews are a significant decision-making parameter.

And as the tech-savvy world and digital marketing are taking over, these business reviews can make you stand out for sure.

FYI: You can automatically embed Google reviews widget on your website and show authentic user-generated reviews, increasing trust for more sales. Try it now.

What is a Google Star rating?

A Google Star rating is a numerical representation of a business’s overall reputation based on customer reviews and ratings submitted on the Google My Business platform. The rating system ranges from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest possible rating. A higher rating reflects a better customer experience, signaling to potential customers that the business offers quality products and services.

How Google Star Rating Works?

Google star ratings are calculated by averaging the ratings from customer reviews submitted on a business’s Google My Business listing.

Each reviewer assigns a rating from 1 to 5 stars based on their experience with the business. Google then aggregates these ratings and calculates an average score, which is displayed as the business’s Google Star rating. This rating offers a quick snapshot of the business’s reputation and customer satisfaction levels

Benefits of Having Aggregated Google Rating Stars

Let me point out the benefits of having Google review stars in the SERP:

• Boost credibility and trustworthiness
• Higher click-through rate (CTR)
• Better SEO performance
• Higher ranking on local search
• Encourage new reviews (especially positive reviews)
• The stars will be reflected on Google Maps too.

Here is an actual example of a restaurant and what it gains by having a Google review star in the search results:

Having highly aggregated Google rating stars can significantly impact a restaurant’s online presence, reputation, and, ultimately, its bottom line. Here are the key benefits of having a strong Google rating for a restaurant:

1. Increased Visibility: A high Google rating can improve a restaurant’s search engine ranking, making it more visible to potential customers searching for dining options. When users search for restaurants in a particular area or cuisine, those with better ratings are more likely to appear at the top of the search results, increasing the likelihood of attracting new patrons.

For example, a restaurant with a 4.5-star rating is likely to be featured prominently in local search results when users search for “best Italian restaurant” in their area.

2. Enhanced reputation: A high Google rating serves as social proof, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to providing excellent food and service. Potential customers are more inclined to trust and choose a restaurant with a solid rating, as it indicates that previous patrons have had positive experiences.

In our example, a high rating for the Italian restaurant signals that it consistently delivers delicious food, attentive service, and a pleasant dining atmosphere, making it an appealing choice for potential diners.

3. Increased customer trust: Google ratings are based on real customer reviews, which makes them more reliable and trustworthy than traditional advertisements. When a restaurant has a high rating, it fosters trust among potential customers, as they can rely on the experiences of others to inform their decisions.

For instance, if our Italian restaurant has numerous 5-star reviews praising the quality of its pasta dishes, new customers are more likely to feel confident in trying the restaurant for themselves.

4. Higher conversion rates: A high Google rating can increase reservations and walk-in customers. When people see a strong rating and positive reviews, they are more likely to make a reservation or visit the restaurant, driving higher foot traffic and revenue.

Continuing with our example, the Italian restaurant’s high Google rating badge might encourage potential customers to book a table or stop by for dinner, ultimately resulting in increased sales and profit.

Learn more: How to embed google rating badge?

How to get star ratings in Google search results? 5 simple steps

Getting Google star ratings to appear in Google search results can enhance your visibility and credibility. Here’s a brief explanation of the steps you mentioned:

1. Collect reviews

Start by gathering reviews for your products or services. This can be done through your website, third-party review platforms, or direct requests to customers. Ensure the reviews are genuine and reflect customer experiences.

2. Display reviews widget on website

Once you have collected reviews, display them on your website. This not only builds trust with potential customers but also serves as content for Google to scrape and understand that your site has review data.

3. Generate aggregateRating schema markup 

Use structured data to help Google understand the content of your reviews. This involves generating specific code that outlines the details of the reviews, such as the star rating, the name of the product or service, and the author of the review.

4. Add schema code to the website

After generating the Google star rating schema code, add it to the relevant pages on your website. This is typically done within the HTML of the page that contains the reviews. Ensure that the schema is correctly implemented and error-free.

5. Ask Google to index

Finally, once the schema markup is added to your site, you need to ask Google to re-crawl and index your pages. You can do this through the Google Search Console by submitting your updated pages for indexing. This process tells Google there is new or updated content, including the review schema, which Google can then process and potentially display as Google star ratings in search results.

Read more:

• How to generate a Google review link

How Do I Get a Google Star Rating?

Those shiny five-star snippets make you a search engine’s favorite. And having them is more simple than you think. You don’t need a presence and business listing on any review sites.

What you need is:

• Google My Business (business profile)
• A number of reviews (at least 5)
• Schema code generator

In more detail, to get a Google star rating displayed in Google search results, follow these steps:

1. Claim or create your Google My Business listing: If you haven’t already, create a Google My Business account and claim or add your business. Verify your business by following Google’s verification process, which usually involves receiving a postcard with a verification code. Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date.
2. Collect customer reviews: Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing. Provide exceptional products and services, and remind your customers to share their positive experiences on Google. However, avoid offering incentives for reviews, as this can violate Google’s guidelines.
3. Increase the number of reviews: The more reviews you have, the more likely it is that Google will display your star rating in search results. Aim to collect a significant number of genuine, high-quality reviews from your customers.
4. Monitor and respond to reviews: Actively monitor your Google My Business reviews and respond to them professionally and politely. Thank your customers for their feedback, address any issues or concerns, and demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent customer service.
5. Implement schema markup: Adding schema markup to your website can help Google understand and display your star rating in search results. Schema markup is a type of structured data that helps search engines better interpret the information on your website. Use the AggregateRating schema to provide Google with the necessary information about your business’s reviews and ratings. If you already have reviewed and displayed review widgets on your website, you will need a schema.org code to generate the aggregated rating of your reviews displayed on your webpage. Follow the steps below to learn how to get a code from EmbedReviews and embed it into your website.

Pro tip:

Before you add the code, please note this:

1. Add the schema code on a specific product page: Our research showed that Google doesn’t support star ratings on root domains/homepages. According to their guidelines in order for the stars to show in the search results the Google star rating schema code needs to be placed on a web page showcasing a specific product or the service you are offering. So, please add the schema code on a specific product or service page and not the homepage.

2. Add the code before other schema codes: Make sure the Google star rating code is added at the top of your page code. This means that it needs to be before any other schema codes in the header of your page. If you use WordPress, use a plugin to add the code in the header for a specific page.

How to Get the Star Snippets in EmbedReviews?

The EmbedReviews platform provides the functionality to generate this schema.org code that will display a rich snippet in the Google search results.

By using EmbedReviews, you can easily create a reviews widget with the reviews you collect on Facebook Page, Yelp, or Google, or you can manually import online reviews that you have received from your customers (as structured data in a .csv file). For example, once you connect your Google My Business account, the system will collect your Google reviews in just a few seconds.

If you don’t understand coding, don’t worry. Follow the steps below and the screenshots will help you out too.

So, here is a step-by-step explanation of how to get the star rating schema code for displaying rich snippets in Google search results:

Step 1: Log in to your EmbedReviews account and navigate to Widgets (if you still don’t have an account, click here to register)

Step 2: Create a new Reviews Widget by clicking the ‘New widget’ button or clicking edit if you have an existing widget

Step 3: In the Editor, click the Sources tab you want to get the reviews from and select the sources like Google location or a Facebook page. You can do this also with reviews about the product that you import in the EmbedReveiws platform.

Step 4: Once the widget is created, copy/paste the top-right code into your webpage

Step 5: Now, once you embed Google reviews on your page, get the related star rating schema code that is located in the ‘Schema’ tab and again copy/paste the provided code in the same webpage and, if possible, in the header of the page before any other schema codes.

That’s it.

To help Google show these changes, you must ask Google to re-crawl the URL where you’ve placed the schema.org code.

Go to your Google Search Console and follow these official guidelines for how you can request indexing of a URL:

1. Click ‘URL Inspection’ in the left menu
2. In the top search field, paste the page URL
3. On the new page, click ‘Request indexing’
4. Re-crawling is not immediate or guaranteed. It typically takes several days for a successful request to be granted. Also, understand that we can’t guarantee that Google will index all your changes, as Google relies on a complex algorithm to update indexed materials.

How to Improve Your Google Star Rating?

Improving your Google Star rating can have a significant impact on your business’s online presence and reputation. Here are some specific strategies and examples to help you enhance your rating:

1. Prioritize customer experience: Focus on delivering exceptional products and services to your customers. Ensure that your staff is well-trained, knowledgeable, and friendly. For instance, a restaurant can improve customer experience by offering personalized menu recommendations, promptly addressing any complaints, and maintaining a clean and welcoming ambiance.
2. Request reviews from customers: After providing a positive experience, politely ask your customers to share their feedback on your Google My Business listing. You can do this in person, through email, or via social media. For example, a local boutique can send follow-up emails to customers who made a purchase, thanking them for their business and encouraging them to leave a review.
3. Respond to reviews professionally: Engage with customers who leave reviews, both positive and negative. Thank reviewers for their feedback, and address any issues or concerns raised in a constructive manner. For instance, if a customer complains about a delayed order at your bakery, apologize for the inconvenience and offer a solution, such as a discount on their next purchase.
4. Use negative reviews as learning opportunities: Analyze negative reviews to identify areas for improvement in your products, services, or customer experience. Implement changes based on this feedback and communicate those improvements to your customers. For example, if your hotel receives complaints about slow Wi-Fi, upgrade the internet service and inform your customers about the improved connectivity.
5. Encourage updated reviews: If you’ve resolved an issue raised in a negative review, kindly ask the customer to update their review to reflect the improved experience. This can help boost your overall rating. For instance, a dental clinic that has improved its appointment scheduling system can request patients who previously complained about long wait times to update their reviews.
6. Showcase positive reviews: Share positive reviews on your website and social media channels to highlight your business’s strengths and encourage more customers to leave reviews. For example, a fitness studio can create a social media post featuring a glowing review about the quality of their classes and instructors.
7. Educate your staff: Train your team on the importance of Google Star reviews and encourage them to contribute to a positive customer experience. Empower them to address customer concerns and share the responsibility of maintaining a high rating. For instance, a retail store can hold regular staff meetings to discuss customer feedback and brainstorm ways to improve the shopping experience.

Learn more: How to add Google maps button?

Conclusion

To show star rating in Google search for your eCommerce store, ensure you follow the necessary steps. Once these steps are implemented and your page is re-indexed by Google, your Google star reviews should start appearing in search results. This can greatly enhance potential customers’ trust, leading to more clicks on your website.

We’re eager to hear about your journey and success with how to show star rating in Google search. Best of luck, and please keep us updated on your progress!

FYI: You can automatically embed Google reviews widget on your website and show authentic user-generated reviews, increasing trust for more sales. Try it now.

FAQs About Google Star Rating In Search Results

How does Google calculate star ratings on local search results?

Google calculates star ratings on local search results by aggregating customer reviews and ratings left by users on Google My Business listings. The overall rating is based on a 5-star scale, reflecting the average score from all submitted reviews, thus providing potential customers with an overview of a business’s reputation and service quality.

What are Google 5-star ratings?

Google 5-star ratings represent the highest possible rating a business can receive on Google My Business, and interestingly, 86% of the Google reviews are 5 stars. These ratings are based on customer reviews and indicate that a business has consistently provided exceptional service, positive experiences, and high-quality products, making them a top choice for potential customers.

Is a 4.5 Google rating good?

A 4.5 Google rating is considered excellent, as it signifies a high level of customer satisfaction and showcases a business’s commitment to maintaining quality service and products. While it may not be a perfect 5-star rating, a 4.5 rating still places a business among the top performers in its industry and attracts potential customers.

Can you get Google star ratings for e-commerce?

Yes, you can get Google star ratings for your eCommerce store. These star ratings can appear in Google search results, including organic search listings and Google Ads, making your products more appealing and trustworthy to potential customers. To achieve this, you typically need to follow a set of steps involving the collection of reviews, the use of structured data, and ensuring your site’s content is indexed by Google.

Can I get a free schema code to display stars snippet in Google search results?

Try the new free Google reviews widget that will also provide a free schema code to display the star rating snippet in Google search results.