March 2022 Google Product Reviews Update: Rollout & Analysis

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The third Google product reviews update began March 23, 2022 and was confirmed fully rolled out on April 11, a 19-day rollout that arrived with refreshed best-practice criteria for review content.

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Google released the March 2022 product reviews update on March 23, 2022, around 12 pm ET, the third in the series after the April 2021 original and the December 2021 follow-up. It applied to English-language product reviews, with other languages planned for later, and Google said it would roll out "over the next few weeks". On April 11, 2022, Google confirmed the rollout was finished: "The Google product review update is fully rolled out. Thank you!", 19 days after launch.

The release doubled as a criteria refresh. Google spelled out what strong review content should demonstrate: analysis of benefits and drawbacks with specifics on how the product performs, evidence the reviewer has actually used the item and can describe what it is physically like, unique information beyond what the manufacturer provides (such as original visuals, audio or links to other useful content), and coverage of comparable products or what sets one apart. Google also noted that ranked lists and comparison reviews qualify, and recommended original images and cited test results as proof of expertise.

One record-keeping quirk: Google's current ranking updates history on the Search Status Dashboard lists this rollout at 14 days, while its contemporaneous confirmation put completion at April 11, 19 days after launch. This page uses the dates Google announced at the time. For review sites that moved during the window, the criteria above are the checklist; reviews that read like a restated spec sheet are what the update was built to outrank.

Rollout log

  • The third product reviews update begins around 12 pm ET for English-language reviews, with expanded best-practice criteria published alongside it.

  • Google confirms the update is fully rolled out, 19 days after launch (the current dashboard history lists the rollout at 14 days).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When did the March 2022 product reviews update start and finish?

It started March 23, 2022, around 12 pm ET, and Google confirmed on April 11, 2022 that it was fully rolled out, a 19-day rollout. Google's later dashboard history records the rollout at 14 days, a small discrepancy in Google's own records.

What was new in the March 2022 product reviews update?

Alongside the ranking change, Google published additional criteria for review content: show benefits and drawbacks with performance specifics, prove first-hand use, include unique material beyond the manufacturer's information such as original visuals, and cover comparable products. Ranked lists and comparison reviews also qualify.

What content did the March 2022 product reviews update apply to?

English-language product reviews at the time, including single-product reviews, ranked lists and comparison reviews, with Google saying support for more languages would come later.

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Cite this page: Keywords Everywhere, "March 2022 Google Product Reviews Update: Rollout & Analysis", last updated 11th Apr 2022, https://keywordseverywhere.com/news/google-algorithm-updates/march-2022-product-reviews-update/