Google is the #1 review site, accounting for 36% of all reviews globally, and Google is committed to having an API and keeping it free to use. With the ability to reply directly to Google reviews from Revinate, our users can be more efficient and effective in responding to reviews.
Revinate authenticates your Google account on a location or account basis rather than a by-user basis. This allows for a stable and reliable connection even when users reset passwords or make other changes on their independent profiles.
Before linking your Google My Business account to Revinate you need:
- To have a live and active Google My Business account.
- Be a manager/owner status on the account.
Steps to linking properties Google My Business accounts to Revinate:
Step 1
Log into your Google My Business account
Step 2
Only managers/owners of the Google My Business account will be able to complete the setup process. If you are not the account manager, contact the appropriate person on your account to complete the following steps in linking the Google account to Revinate.
Account Manager:
- Select MANAGE LOCATIONS
- If you have multiple properties, it is advised to create location groups. See Google’s help resource for location groups.
- Go to the Managers section and select Manage User
- Select the icon to add new users
- Add gmbreviews@revinate.com as an authorized user on the account. Select INVITE to complete this process.
If you are a regular account user:
- Select Manage Location
- Go to the MANAGERS section and select Manage Users
- If you do not see the icon to add new users, it means that you are not an account manager and will need to contact the account manager to enable linking to Revinate.
Step 3
Once gmbreviews@revinate.com has been added as a user, Revinate will be able to connect directly with your account.
Managing Linked Accounts
Manage all your linked accounts by selecting the settings cog in your top navigation bar and selecting LINKED ACCOUNTS.
Link multiple Google My Business accounts and manage them from the LINKED ACCOUNTS page. Here you will see your list of properties using the Revinate platform, the API status, instructions on linking your account, and the action item button to start linking the account.
API status meaning
The yellow warning sign indicates that a previously linked account is no longer syncing with the API and will need to follow steps to troubleshoot.
The Red X warning sign indicates that the account is not linked, and you must follow the steps to troubleshoot and link the property’s Google Business account.
The green indicator means that the account linking was successful.
Using Direct Reply to Google
Once your account is linked and enabled, you can reply directly to Google reviews using the blue DIRECT REPLY TO GOOGLE button. If you do not see this button there may be issues with your connection and you will need to contact support@revinate.com.
You will also see the same direct reply button when launching the response assistant.
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Draft your management response using best practices. If you would like to know more about responding to reviews, see our supporting help desk articles.
Responded To / Response Posted
Once you submit your reply to Google, you will see an identifying bar over the review on the main All Reviews page. This will notify all users on the account that you submitted a response.
Google does not have a review and approval process for management responses. Once you have submitted a response, refresh your google page, and the review should automatically be posted online. Please note that Revinate can not influence how long a review site takes to post a management response. Once Google publishes the management response, you will see it in the Revinate app on the all reviews page, and the response will also be noted in the responses report.
Note**
Direct replies to Google reviews will only be available for incoming reviews from the date of activating your account’s direct reply feature.