A salon owner woke up to a one-star Google review from someone who was never her customer. She had no idea how to respond, if she could get it removed, or how to stop it from killing her business.

Fake reviews. Competitor attacks. Customers who won't leave reviews even when they're happy. This is the reality of running a local business in 2026.

In this episode, I break down the review strategy that actually works:

• The two-step system: in-person ask + 24-48 hour follow-up (why both matter)
• How to respond to reviews without sounding like ChatGPT wrote it
• What to do when you get a fake one-star review from a competitor
• Google's review compliance rules (why you have to ask ALL customers, not just happy ones)
• The review language that helps your rankings vs generic "great service" reviews
• Why review photos boost your visibility

You'll also learn why most customers don't leave reviews (it's not just because they forget), the exact timing window that works, and how to bury fake reviews with real ones when Google won't remove them.

If you've been avoiding asking for reviews because it feels awkward or pushy, this episode will change how you think about it. Your customers WANT to help you. They just need to be asked.

Connect with me: @rankboostmedia | rankboostmedia.com