The 2026 Google Strategy for Home Service Companies

WEBVTT
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.560
The GBP is like the storefront.
00:00:02.720 --> 00:00:04.240
It's almost like the new website.
00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:06.480
It's all about being active on your profile.
00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:12.640
You don't want a week where you're getting 30-40 reviews and then your G VP is dead for two to three weeks.
00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:14.960
Honor responses, make them professional.
00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:19.199
With responses, even if you get a one-star review, you still do want to respond to it.
00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:20.239
You're wrong.
00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:20.559
Yeah.
00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:21.440
Do not argue.
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:23.839
Definitely not.
00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:27.839
What is a good amount of reviews for me to go launch my next G VP?
00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:28.879
I would say.
00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:09.359
Thanks for having me.
00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:11.040
Yeah, this is going to be fun.
00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:12.000
This will be great.
00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:13.439
My Bud Jules.
00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:19.439
You ready to dive deep into Google reviews and how to make local search show up better?
00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:22.959
I'm not, but we will fly by the seat of our pants.
00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:23.680
Yeah, yeah.
00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:26.079
We're, I think we're gonna, I think we're gonna do great here.
00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:32.239
So um I think first off, let's start off with like Google reviews.
00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:33.920
What's the latest haps?
00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:36.319
You know, you brought up, we're at our breaking five workshop.
00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:45.200
You talked yesterday a little bit about this like algorithm thing that everybody hates, where like the technician name reviews are starting to get deleted.
00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:46.159
Like, is that real?
00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:47.120
Like, what do we think?
00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:51.840
Yeah, so um I would say about a month ago we started seeing the updates.
00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000
I think Google's algorithm is still indexing all of the changes.
00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:59.760
However, we have seen it start to affect home service contractors.
00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:04.959
It started in the restaurant industry, but I have been seeing and I have talked to a few potential clients.
00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:08.159
And so we've read like Google's notes saying like this is real.
00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:16.800
Google hasn't officially said like, hey, we're officially doing this, but we noticed the change um across the restaurant industry.
00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:24.560
And then in terms of like technicians, I did talk to a few people and they're like, wow, our review count has gone down, but the one-star reviews have remained the same.
00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:26.240
Why would it be getting removed?
00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:30.719
And after just having conversations with some of our partners, that's what we've noticed.
00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:36.319
That the reason the common denominator and why reviews are getting hidden is the technician name.
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:37.599
Yeah, that's crazy.
00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:40.719
I feel like most of our reviews have technicians.
00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:41.439
Yeah.
00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:44.560
Unfortunately, I don't agree with it, but I don't work at Google.
00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:45.280
That's all right.
00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:45.680
Yeah.
00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:46.800
All right, cool.
00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:50.800
So why today, like 2026, why are reviews like more and more important?
00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:52.639
I I we've noticed it in our business.
00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.080
So reviews are important just because it signals trust.
00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:09.439
So for example, when a customer goes to look up your business, what your review says about your company, whether you have a bunch of one stars, Wilson, I know, has a ton of five-star reviews, it just signals trust and to the customer.
00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:12.240
So why would they choose you over a different company?
00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:13.360
Yeah.
00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:15.759
And it makes you show up better on Mat Pack.
00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:16.240
Yes.
00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:16.719
Yeah.
00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:22.560
So with MapPack, I know that again, the algorithm is changing, but it's all about relevancy now.
00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:26.560
So in terms of reviews, it's all about consistency and how relevant you are.
00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:33.520
So when the customer is looking up water heater, um, who is the best contractor that will best fit their search?
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:38.479
So based off of Google, it goes off of trust and like who has the highest trust signals.
00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:45.599
One of the topics that came up, um, I think people get really interested in this because people are talking about on the internet.
00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:52.639
Uh, but like driving new GBP profiles, like what do you I don't know, what do you think?
00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:53.759
Like, is there a risk there?
00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.439
Because I think that's what most people are concerned about.
00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:59.439
Like, hey, if I go open a new profile, get some more leads, like is that bad?
00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:00.080
Is that good?
00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:00.879
Am I allowed?
00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:02.159
Overall, it's good.
00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:03.680
Um, you are allowed right now.
00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:04.960
Google is cracking down.
00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:09.520
So as long as it matches the business name, um, it has to be the same all across.
00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:15.120
So you can't, like, for example, Wilson plumbing, heating, cooling, it has to be the same across all of your GBPs.
00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:17.360
You can't just open a new one and it just be Wilson.
00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:18.800
Wilson sewer or something.
00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:19.199
Correct.
00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.920
I think it's called what keyword stuffing.
00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:24.480
It's it's you should put keywords.
00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:29.360
There's contradicting reports that say that you that you shouldn't stuff your keywords.
00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:35.040
However, like, for example, if you put Wilson services, it doesn't really signal that much trust.
00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:42.160
But whereas you put Wilson plumbing, heating, cooling, and electric, when you add those verticals in, you should do a DBA to change your name.
00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:43.759
Yeah, that's interesting.
00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:48.879
I feel like people are doing uh like that is interesting.
00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:53.360
Because I feel like we tripped and fell into that one where it's Wilson plumbing, heating, cooling, and electric.
00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:53.600
Yeah.
00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:55.279
So that was a that was a happy accident.
00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:56.160
Yeah.
00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:05.120
Most marketing agencies will show you clicks, impressions, and maybe even traffic, but none of that really matters if the phone's not ringing.
00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:07.120
And that's why we partner with service scalers.
00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:15.600
They are built specifically for home service companies and they focus on one thing, which is driving real, high-quality calls and book jobs.
00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:16.800
This is a no-brainer.
00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:24.000
They're offering a 60-day money-back guarantee on LSA management, Google Business Profile Optimization, and website builds.
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:28.079
If you don't get more visibility, more calls, and better leads, then you don't pay.
00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:35.040
If you want more book jobs without the marketing headache, click the link below and book a free strategy call with Service Scalers.
00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.160
That's interesting.
00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:36.560
All right.
00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:39.839
So, like what else, what else are you seeing on reviews that matters?
00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:44.560
Like what velocity or number, like does number matter as much as we think it does?
00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:45.759
It does matter.
00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:50.639
However, the name of the game is going to be your consistency and your velocity.
00:05:50.800 --> 00:06:01.839
So quantity does matter, but out of those, for example, a company that has 500 reviews may outrank a company that has thou like 10,000 reviews just because they are very consistent.
00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:05.920
In the name of Google, it's all about being active on your profile.
00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.759
So how often are you getting reviews?
00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.439
Is that consistent?
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:16.800
So you don't want a week where you're getting 30, 40 reviews and then your GBP is dead for two to three weeks.
00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:17.519
Yeah.
00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:24.480
I think the thing that makes sense, like G Google My Business Profiles or what Google Business, it's GBPs now, I guess.
00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:25.120
Yes.
00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:30.240
I think it's kind of funny because it like just generally makes sense, except for the technician name thing.
00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:30.639
Yeah.
00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:32.000
I think it just like makes sense.
00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:38.160
Whereas like the review frequency thing, I like there's the contractors with like 20,000 reviews.
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.720
I think we have five or six or something on our main page.
00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:57.759
But it makes sense why a smaller contractor could beat them because if it was 20,000 reviews, but it was like five years ago, and it's just been like nothing in the past year, like that totally it logical that it would rank less than someone that got 500 in the last year and a half.
00:06:58.079 --> 00:06:58.319
Right.
00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:06.480
So when you think of it in like a restaurant term, you don't want to if if you're looking for, let's say, Mediterranean restaurant, you don't want to know which restaurant.
00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.319
It sounds amazing.
00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:11.920
You don't want to know which restaurant is relevant eight years ago.
00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.600
You want to know what's the best now.
00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.240
Like where can I have dinner and expect quality service?
00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:16.720
Yeah, yeah.
00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.800
Same thing for the home service industry.
00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:19.600
Yeah, okay.
00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:20.480
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:21.199
That makes sense.
00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:42.000
Yeah, so uh count a little bit, uh recency is gonna matter a lot, which I think that makes sense because I think um I remember a couple years ago, we were like really beating the hell out of G VPs and we would look and there was like a plumber with like 50 reviews or something, yeah, and they were ranking higher on the map pack than we were with like 4,000.
00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:42.240
Right.
00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:44.079
And it's just like, what the fuck's going on?
00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:48.079
But like they probably got 50 reviews like last week or you know, correct whatever.
00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:50.800
All their all their friends uh left a review.
00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.839
How much do you think responses actually matter?
00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:55.120
This one comes up a lot.
00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.639
Responses are important.
00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:01.759
So with responses, um, you do want to respond within the first 24 hours.
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:02.240
Yeah.
00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:06.480
You it doesn't matter if it's five, ten, five to ten minutes or five and thirty.
00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:06.800
Okay.
00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.480
As long as it's within that 24 hour window, you definitely want to respond.
00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:13.439
Definitely don't have any type of copy and paste.
00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:15.680
Um, it should be unique to the customer.
00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:16.160
Okay.
00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:20.079
Like, hey Betty Sue, thanks for whatever.
00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:20.480
Okay.
00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.360
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:30.480
With responses too, you always want to mention the service that was provided, the location that it was performed, and any type of context, that will all feed into Google's algorithm.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:32.639
So in your response, it's as important.
00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:40.720
No, it definitely is important, um, but getting that in the initial review as well in the content is extremely important.
00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:41.679
Yeah, yeah.
00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:52.559
Okay, so GBP, number of reviews matters, but velocity and frequency are currently more important, which I think that makes sense.
00:08:52.799 --> 00:09:01.679
Um, I think that's like a fun thing to highlight because I think people get caught up on hey, the big company down the street has 20,000 Google reviews.
00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:02.879
How am I supposed to compete with them?
00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.519
And like this is like, hey, there is a way to compete with them.
00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.000
Yes.
00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:08.320
It's just like more frequency.
00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:08.799
Correct.
00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:11.440
And uh, and like is it increasing or is it decreasing?
00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:11.840
Yep.
00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:13.679
Okay, that makes total sense.
00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:18.720
Um, owner responses, make them professional, make them bespoke.
00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:19.679
Correct.
00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:25.759
Okay, yeah, with owner responses, even if you get a one-star review, you still do want to respond to it, but obviously you're wrong.
00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:27.840
Yeah, definitely do not RDL.
00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:30.240
Flame the customer publicly.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:31.519
Definitely not.
00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.399
Okay, all right.
00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.000
I'm gonna flame the customer publicly.
00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:34.720
Got it.
00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:38.720
Um, you had shit on your floor, you know, really like dive deep.
00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.360
Um, any other activity on Google Profiles that matters?
00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.879
Photos, posts.
00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:47.200
Yes, photos and and updates and posts are very important.
00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:53.840
So in terms of just the overall profile of your zooming out, you do want to update it regularly.
00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:54.159
Yeah.
00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.279
Big reputation.
00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:58.080
We automate one post, one photo per day.
00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:02.240
If you if you haven't done it, start with a baseline.
00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:04.799
So a good place to aim is three to five per week.
00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:12.960
And just so that everyone's aware, because I got this question, GBP is Google business profile, not great British pound.
00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:14.720
That's funny.
00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.200
Oh, that is funny.
00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.399
Yeah, Google Business Profile.
00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.080
I don't I don't know when they switched it.
00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.120
It was like last year.
00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:23.279
You stopped they stopped saying GMB.
00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:24.559
And yeah.
00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:26.799
Personally, I still like GMB.
00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:27.200
Okay.
00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.960
Um, but I don't know what to say.
00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:29.679
I don't know what to say.
00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:32.480
I feel my feeling, not a fact.
00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:39.840
My feeling in 2026 is that the GBP is like the storefront.
00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:48.240
It's almost like the new website, because I feel like with AI, your website is becoming less relevant.
00:10:48.639 --> 00:11:08.399
Uh like SEO lets you show up inside AI search, but like customers aren't probably gonna like beep boop their way through your website to like figure out if you do HVAC services, but the service page on Google My Business Profile probably will, or their AI that they're like asking questions to will.
00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:10.080
Like what's your take on that?
00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:15.279
So Google My Business, or I'm sorry, GBP Google Business Profile is very important.
00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:30.240
However, it what you're saying is a little contradictory mildly, just because your website is on your GBP and the SEO does that SEO does help the SEO of your GBP as well.
00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.399
So the way so they build on each other.
00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:32.960
Yes.
00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:37.840
So although the signals are not similar, or I'm sorry, although they're not identical, they are similar.
00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.799
Okay, like how?
00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:49.759
Meaning like you you could rank one in G on your Map pack and you could be third on Google, or you could be on the second page of Google and still rank high, vice versa.
00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.399
Got it.
00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:54.000
Okay, so like more signals to the gods of Google that like we're real business.
00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:54.799
Yes.
00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:56.159
Okay, all right, cool.
00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:02.960
Aside from like the technician name thing, anything you're seeing like popping up is upcoming changes?
00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.600
Yeah, something that I saw that was interesting.
00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:09.279
Um after running a few heat maps for clients, yeah.
00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:17.360
Starting about two and a half months ago, we've been seeing that SABs, which are service area based GPPs, start to close the gap between storefronts.
00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:25.440
So depending on your market, um, your the heat map tool, if you have a form of that or if you're a big reputation client, we have that built in.
00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:31.360
When you're running a map pack scan, and let's say you're looking to open up a new GBP, yeah.
00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:39.679
Um when you look at the map pack, we've been seeing SABs break top 10, top five, and top three recently.
00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.600
So they are really closing the gap.
00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:49.600
And depending on what market you're in, it's hard to say whether a storefront is more beneficial than a service area based.
00:12:50.720 --> 00:13:06.879
For a super metro area, a storefront location is probably gonna weigh a lot heavier just because a lot of the companies that rank are going to be the ones that have the storefront locations versus a more rural area, like a service area-based G VP, you could probably get away with.
00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.440
Okay.
00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:20.159
I don't understand how to I don't like I understand the difference in what you're saying because like one has an address and like sometimes when I've looked up G VPs, it's like like a a fence.
00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.879
Like an yeah, it's like a fence on uh Google.
00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.159
So I understand what you're saying.
00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.960
I don't understand how to set up a service area business.
00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:32.320
Like, is it the same process where you go in and like you need a storefront, you have to do the verification?
00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:40.159
Um, so it might have changed since I've worked in an office, but for from what I know, you still have to have an address.
00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:42.559
It could be residential, but it's hidden.
00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:46.080
So it doesn't have in the public facing address.
00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.480
Okay.
00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:46.960
Correct.
00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.279
Okay.
00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:51.200
So that could be good for like, yeah, if somebody runs out of their house.
00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:51.840
Right.
00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:52.320
Yeah.
00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:58.879
I know I know some people put GBPs like in their on their tech's homes.
00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.320
So like maybe that's the example of when that's useful.
00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:02.799
Yes.
00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.960
Is like we're running out of some dude's home.
00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:08.320
We don't want a customer to show up to like little Jimmy's house.
00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:08.879
Correct.
00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.200
Okay.
00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.600
Yep.
00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:10.639
All right, that makes sense.
00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:13.519
And previously it was not successful or less successful.
00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:19.519
Yeah, we you would not see prior, like three months ago, you would not see an SAB break top 20 even.
00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.320
That's interesting.
00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.120
Does it matter?
00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:24.639
Like you meant you mentioned uh like like uh metro.
00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:31.919
Does it matter like if it is it you you're said you're you're you said you're watching it like get better.
00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:38.000
Is it getting better in metros and rural or only rural or like just getting better, period?
00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.759
It's it's getting better, period.
00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:46.080
Like I've run a few, for example, South Florida is a very competitive market for let's say HVAC.
00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.320
Yeah.
00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.600
I've seen SABs break top 10, but not top five.
00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:53.200
Um, in more rural areas, I've seen them in the top three.
00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.399
So it just depends.
00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:58.639
That's where that heat map um SEO audit tool comes in handy.
00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:10.080
Just because you get visibility of if you're deciding to launch in a new market, who your competitors are, what they're doing, and if a storefront location is even more beneficial than having a service area based.
00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.000
Yeah, that's interesting.
00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:15.440
Do you like what's your take on like heat mapping?
00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:17.360
I the rural thing's kind of interesting.
00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:23.679
We've talked about this a bunch on the show, and some people are starting to sort of gravitate to more rural.
00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:31.600
Like, obviously, there's a lot of um opportunity inside a big city.
00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:36.559
Like, there's a lot of opportunity inside Dallas or Cleveland or Chicago or Picka, whatever.
00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.039
Yeah.
00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.759
Uh, but there's also a lot of competition.
00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:51.840
And I we've had people on the show who are like smaller contractors and they're rural and they have like 50 reviews or 100 reviews or whatever, and they're like the top freaking dog wherever they are.
00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.080
Yeah.
00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.759
Like any take on rural versus metro?
00:15:56.080 --> 00:16:00.000
Um if it's easier to break out, obviously, in a more rural market.
00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.240
Yeah.
00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:03.840
Right.
00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:14.240
And then once so the benefit to opening in a rural market versus like launching a flagship in a metro is that you build that brand authority.
00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:20.879
So as you continue to let's say that your second location is in a metro area, yeah, there will be more branded searches.
00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:24.879
Google has already had go you've already established that trust signal with Google.
00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.360
Yeah.
00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.240
Yeah, yeah.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:38.639
Yeah, we um what we're thinking about doing is like launching offices in rural areas because like the main I we have um I mean all in probably like 20 profiles now.
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.519
I don't actually know.
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:49.039
But like uh there's there's areas that are like an hour away that the biggest competitor has like 200 reviews.
00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:53.600
And it's like, dude, we could take that over in like a week.
00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.159
Yeah.
00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:58.799
And like with obviously you're in big rep, so you know about the review routing feature.
00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.879
So that's something that will help build that profile.
00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:04.559
And in a more that that came up yesterday at the workshop, so like let's just hit that for a second.
00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:11.200
So if you have multiple GBPs, uh, I think the question was coming up like, how do I launch a new one?
00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:13.599
So I'll I'll give my context for the listener.
00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:17.119
You Google has terms of service and you follow them.
00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:19.039
That's like most of the context.
00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:27.759
So like you have to launch an office, somebody has to go there, you have to have a sign on the door, you have to have a phone number, you have to have a lease, you have to have maybe a utility bill.
00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.240
Yeah.
00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.440
And then launch it.
00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.000
Yeah.
00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.480
Yeah.
00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:30.880
Yeah.
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:36.720
And then when you launch it, you can like funnel all of the other GBP reviews to that new one.
00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:46.640
I talk to a ton of home service owners, and if you're anything like the one to five million dollar shops that I know, you're probably getting hammered with AI pitches right now.
00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:51.119
Most of them sound great until they hit the real world and just completely fall apart.
00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.359
The one that we keep coming back to is Voka.
00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:58.000
What stands out is they actually understand how contractor businesses operate.
00:17:58.160 --> 00:18:00.240
This isn't just another AI answering service.
00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:10.559
Voka handles inbound calls, outbound follow-ups, text, web leads, even dispatching, all in one system built specifically for service companies.
00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.720
If you're on Service Titan, then this is a big deal.
00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:19.200
Their integration is deep, so you're not duct taping together five different tools and hoping that nothing breaks during your busy season.
00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:21.839
I also respect that they're realistic about AI.
00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:32.319
When a call needs a human, they've got a 24-7 live transfer built in, so nothing slips through the cracks and your customers don't get stuck in a bad experience or like an AI loop.
00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:38.799
Owners using a voca are seeing hold times basically disappear and booking rates jump, some by 30% or more.
00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:46.160
If you want an AI partner that actually helps you book more jobs without creating more chaos, this is worth checking out.
00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:48.559
Book a demo at the link below.
00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:58.480
Yeah, so what's exclusive to us, and um I believe Service Titans Marketing Pro has this as well, but it's not super automated, it's a little bit more of a manual process.
00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:58.799
Yeah.
00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.880
But let's say you launch a new GBP.
00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:07.279
Um, as you well know, on your on your, for example, Wilson, yeah, you guys have four profiles with us.
00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:13.039
And if you decided to launch a fifth, we could turn off the routing to all of your locations and route it all to that fifth one.
00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:15.359
That way you build the authority pretty quickly.
00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:23.759
Because, for example, if you're if you're trying to break out in a rural area, it'll be very easy because you guys get high review volume and flow.
00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:27.839
And whereas like in a metro area, let's say no, it's okay.
00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:32.799
If you did want to open up in, let's say, a big city like Chicago where there's a lot of competitors, yeah.
00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.559
You might need more take some work.
00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.119
Right.
00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:38.720
You might need more review volume to even start to rank.
00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:41.119
So again, it's helpful either both ways.
00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.599
Yeah.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.640
What do you think?
00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:48.559
Uh, I'm just like going through the questions that people had yesterday, because I'm sure if the people at the workshop had them, like the the public has them.
00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:52.880
What is a good amount of reviews for me to go launch my next GBP?
00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.039
Like when should I be like, it's time?
00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:01.839
I would say in the five 500 and above, truthfully.
00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:04.000
Um again, it depends on your area.
00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:08.720
So if you're in a small town, very rural, maybe it would start at like 100.
00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.119
Yeah.
00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:19.519
But if you're in a very dense city like Dallas or Chicago or Miami, it I would say like 500 to 1,000, anywhere between there before you start to see traction.
00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:28.480
I would definitely focus on building that and making sure you rank there first before you start to open up a new location because then you start to dilute the signal a little bit.
00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.440
Yeah, totally.
00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:35.759
Because I think back to your point on um it was like frequency and velocity.
00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:40.640
Like the more GBPs you have, the more you have to keep up with frequency and velocity on multiple G VPs.
00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.039
Correct.
00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.240
Which I think is kind of hard.
00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:48.079
Like you have to keep it equal spreading and then maybe focus as you launch a new GP, but then equal spread again.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:54.240
So if you get 10 reviews a week and you have five G VPs, it's only two each, which is not a lot of frequency or velocity.
00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.039
Yeah, correct.
00:20:55.119 --> 00:21:00.640
So then at that point, that's where it'll start counting against you because then you'll start to drop and you diluted too much.
00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.119
Correct.
00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.240
Yeah, that's interesting.
00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.440
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.680
I think um, yeah, that comes up a lot.
00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:11.680
I think people like see it on X or like hear like go launch a billion GPP profiles.
00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:17.839
And yeah, the logistics are kind of a lot, like you have to pay for rent, like it's we we do it, yeah.
00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:24.960
So like I'm not gonna tell people not to do it, but what you have to follow Google terms of service, you need a lease, someone needs to visit that office.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.559
The lease is probably expensive.
00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:29.920
Like, yeah, I know some people paying like three grand a month for that lease.
00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:34.480
Um, and then it also dilutes your active energy for reviews.
00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:34.799
Yeah.
00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.680
So correct.
00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.640
Yeah, make sure you're ready.
00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.160
500 feels like a good number to me.
00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:45.519
I think it like so sort of in tune with that, it you sounds like a hundred is when profiles start to rank.
00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.160
Correct.
00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.559
Okay.
00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:52.720
Like how often are they ranking under a hundred or only if you're rural or it's it's o it it it's hard.
00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.000
It just depends on the area.
00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:58.000
So like for example like LA, you're probably not gonna rank with a 90 or something.
00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.960
Yeah, correct.
00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:03.359
Yeah, you're gonna You're probably gonna need um 500 or above.
00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.039
That's where you'll be in that bracket.
00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.839
Same thing.
00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.720
Cleveland is a little bit smaller market, but it's still very metro.
00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.160
There's a lot of competitors here.
00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:13.599
Um South Florida, very competitive market.
00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:24.720
But let's say that you go to some small city in Kentucky, not hating on them or anything, but if you go to a small city there, it you might be able to rank with 10, 15, 20.
00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:27.440
So it just depends on the market.
00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:34.000
So definitely when you're looking to launch a new GBP, make sure you're strategic is what's the population there?
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.599
How many competitors are there?
00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:39.680
Is an SAB more beneficial than having a physical location?
00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:42.559
What do my competitors' reviews look like?
00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.119
Yeah.
00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.519
Yeah.
00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.240
Yeah.
00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:56.720
They uh like what are you seeing as the difference between a like a 5,000 review business, a 500 review business, a 20,000 review business?
00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.400
Like what's the difference?
00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:07.680
It's it's hard to say because, like, for example, the 20,000 review business, they might not be keeping up with their reviews or they might not be updating their profile.
00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:10.799
Um, they they might not be staying relevant.
00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:21.839
So somebody with a 20,000 review count, although they have a lot and it seems hard to compete, let's just say that they really fall off the wagon in terms of getting reviews.
00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:25.839
A company with five, six hundred reviews might easily outrank them.
00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.160
Yeah.
00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:40.079
If they're if they have good trust, Google sees that, like, for example, any type of engagement on your Google business profile, whether it's call, directions, they click on your website, they scroll through your photos, they scroll through your updates, service products, whatever.
00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:43.359
Um all of that feeds into Google's algorithm.
00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:47.279
It says, like, hey, a lot of clients like this company.
00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:50.160
Um, so then we'll start to refer them more.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:24:13.519
So for example, a 20 a company with 20,000 reviews, they might be ranked top five, they could rank top five, or they could not even show up in the top 10 just because a company that has 600 reviews is getting five, 10 reviews a day, 20 a week, whatever the case is, and they're staying up to they're they're keeping their profile active, is the best way to explain it.
00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.240
Yeah, yeah.
00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.799
Yeah.
00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:20.960
I think what happened, you know, early on, I remember putting a big focus on reviews, and this was like 2016 or something.
00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.680
Yeah.
00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:24.240
And it was just like, what's the automation?
00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.440
How do we post?
00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:30.640
I like the automated posting of photos thing that somebody said uh yesterday, they're like three to five a week.
00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.839
I do one every six months.
00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.960
And I was like, that's funny.
00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.839
I think that was Ray.
00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.400
Yeah.
00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:37.680
And um, yeah, responding to reviews.
00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.359
Honestly, that takes a lot of energy.
00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.720
Uh, so I don't know.
00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:43.359
Like, so can you walk through big rep?
00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.359
Like, what's what does big reputation do?
00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.920
Yeah, so we're an AI-based platform.
00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:52.160
Um, what we do is a lot of we automate a lot of what your technicians are already doing on the field.
00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.480
Yeah.
00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:54.160
So we take that lift off of your plate.
00:24:54.319 --> 00:25:04.000
We're not review management by any means because we don't update your services, we don't dispute reviews, although, like I tell all my clients, feel free to lean on me as a resource.
00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.440
I will point you in the right direction.
00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:09.839
But in terms of big reputation, we manage your reviews, we'll respond to them.
00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:25.039
We have a follow-up drip campaign, we use all of the photos from your CRM and we will post it as to your photos and updates just because Google's Gemini is smart enough to determine a stock photo from a real photo.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:31.440
So once you upload all of that, all the signals compound together to create an active profile.
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.279
Okay, cool.
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:37.440
So photos review request, responding.
00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.640
Updates.
00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:42.000
We also have a heat map fill uh function built in.
00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:44.640
We have a location health scanner.
00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:51.279
So that features just to help you spot very quick gaps of what updates can be made um to your G VP.
00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.920
Sweet.
00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.319
All right.
00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.160
What what what's coming next?
00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.440
Like what are you guys working on?
00:25:55.839 --> 00:26:02.640
So with the tech mention review thing, um, we're working on unfortunately this is this is gonna go back to manual.
00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:08.079
However, it we still want our contractors to be able to easily spiff out their technicians.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:13.359
So they're gonna be able to assign the reviews manually to their technician now that they're not named.
00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:20.319
Where ideally the goal is this year, um big focus this year is to start to integrate with other review platforms.
00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:26.079
So although Google still owns about 86 to 90 percent of the market share, yeah.
00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:35.599
When you start to diversify your platform, review platforms like Yelp, which is controversial, um, Facebook and Angie, that's when you'll start to show up in AI search.
00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:40.160
So as the world continues to slowly pivot over to AI, we want to stay ahead of the curb.
00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.920
Yeah, I mean, I think that makes sense.
00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:47.039
I think AI has brought um like all of everything in.
00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.920
Like Indeed reviews start to show up now.
00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.680
That'd be kind of interesting if you could.
00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.160
Yeah.
00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.039
That'd be funny.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:00.559
But yeah, indeed reviews, glad like employment reviews plus customer reviews are all showing up as I look for companies, which I think is kind of interesting.
00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:00.960
Yeah.
00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:06.799
We had one where it was like Brandon Nairo is known to be a patient leader or something like that.
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:09.359
We also had one where like Brandon Iro was an asshole, you know.
00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:11.519
So we've we've had it show up on both sides.
00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.480
But it was kind of funny.
00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.759
It was like, oh, okay, interesting.
00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:16.559
It's like well more than just Google or customers.
00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:16.880
Yeah.
00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.319
Uh, but yeah, it was kind of funny.
00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:24.720
And the biggest takeaway about Big Rep2 that I forgot to mention is that what we do is we try to mimic human behavior.
00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:29.279
So like when we do any type of uploads, it's not just 8 a.m.
00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.480
every single day.
00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:35.680
We stagger all the post times and the response times so that it's as human-sounding as possible.
00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.960
That way you don't trigger any type of thing.
00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.680
And it's pulling the photos from like your CRM.
00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.319
Yeah, yeah.
00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.880
That's cool.
00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.519
That's cool.
00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:47.279
We we used a service for this um before we started using you guys.
00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:52.480
And I don't well, I remember the name now, but I don't want to bash them on the internet.
00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:55.920
And um, yeah, it wasn't great.
00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.880
But yeah, yeah.
00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.160
Automates are great.
00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:58.640
Cool.
00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.200
All right.
00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:05.759
Any any like closing thoughts on big reputation or like Google reviews in general, how to drive this part of your business?
00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:10.880
Your Google business profiles are either printing money or they're losing it.
00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.720
And that's where big reputation comes in.
00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:18.400
Big reputation turns your GBP into a true lead machine without adding more work to your plate.
00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:25.839
It runs in the background with automated posting, review generation, and fast responses so that your reputation compounds over time.
00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.920
And this is huge if you're multi-location.
00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:32.319
They make it dead simple to manage and scale your reputation across every branch.
00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:35.279
So every location shows up and wins in the map pack.
00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:39.440
I'm actually using Big Reputation right now as I grow and scale my newest acquisitions.
00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:42.640
Plus, you get real insight into what's actually happening.
00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:50.960
You get to spot gaps with location health monitoring, track reviews and sentiment, and see which zip codes you're winning and which ones you're losing.
00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:55.440
Better insights, stronger trust, more calls from an asset you already own.
00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:59.119
Go check it out at bigreputation.ai slash o.
00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:15.759
Um, with Google Reviews, when you are prompting the customer, my biggest key takeaway of like I well, I guess what your biggest takeaway should be is when prompting the request from a customer, what you're looking for is photos are going to weigh the heaviest, however it is.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.039
Like a photo review.
00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.599
Correct.
00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.079
Okay.
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.200
It is difficult.
00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:24.960
It's we found that it's difficult to prompt the customer to leave a picture on the review.
00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:28.079
We we have to talk to the team and train a lot about that.
00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.319
Yeah.
00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:38.160
Sometimes we are trying to figure a workaround where possibly we can send the client the picture and they can just upload the one that you already took on site that is some in the roadmap somewhere.
00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:46.799
And then when you're again with reviews aside from photos, it's going to be the service location and any type of context.
00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.599
So what that looks like.
00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:50.960
Like you did a water heater and acronym and it was awesome.
00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:55.039
Yeah, or any other type of context, whether it's in your basement, your backyard.
00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:59.519
So that way you start feeding into Google's algorithm in terms of the location.
00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:06.640
You could get as granular as neighborhoods as you'd like, but just make sure that each response is yeah, it could get as super targeted as you'd like.
00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:08.960
But make sure each response is catered to that.
00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.680
Custom.
00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.000
Yep.
00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.880
Thanks for coming on.
00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.920
We appreciate you coming on.
00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:15.200
Uh, if people want to hear more about Big Reputation, how can they get a hold of you?
00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:23.200
So my email is Julie at bigreputation.ai, and our website is www.bigreputation.ai.
00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:27.039
And sometimes I'm on the owned and operated webinar.
00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.319
So you can always catch me there.
00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.720
Yeah.
00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.039
Awesome.
00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.279
All right.
00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.000
Thanks, Julie.
00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.880
Thank you.