Earlier this year Google introduced an experimental AI search feature called Search Generative Experience (SGE) via its Labs platform. Combining traditional Google Search with a conversational function similar to Microsoft's ChatGPT or Bing's Copilot, SGE uses AI to synthesize information from the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) into an easily digestible summary at the top of the page, and allows the user to ask follow-up questions directly within Google Search.
You may be one of the many schools wondering what happened to Google Reviews. Many organizations, including schools, are experiencing a range of issues as it relates to users being able to review a business. This poses a challenge for schools that use Google Reviews as a way to manage their brand and communicate with prospective and current families.
So what happened to Google reviews for schools?
Is your school dealing with a persnickety review or low star rating? It can be challenging to keep up with various ways in which prospective families are searching for, and learning about your school online while understanding which of those ratings really matter. For better or worse, the reality is that online reviews are part of the equation for every stage of the funnel -- from the initial discovery and inquiry, to deciding whether to visit, apply, and ultimately enroll -- key considerations are being made by adults who rely on the internet for a large source of information.
Does your 2019 marketing plan include improving your institution's digital presence? It should! A great place to start with this is to optimize your website. This may sound like a big project but it doesn’t have to be. For many institutions, if you’re wearing multiple hats and working with a shoestring budget, that can cause things like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to fall to the wayside. So how can you develop a way to impact your online presence without creating a ton of work for yourself? As you’re working on New Year’s resolutions, here are some valuable habits you should get into:
