GoogleSystemConfirmedHigh impact
December 2021 product reviews update
Third product reviews update, adding guidance on multi-retailer links and evidence of hands-on testing.
What changed
Google rolled out a product reviews update between 1 and 21 December 2021 and expanded its guidance for reviewers, adding recommendations to link to multiple sellers and to provide evidence such as original images, audio or video demonstrating hands-on experience. English-language review sites were the primary population affected. The rollout is recorded on Google's Search Status Dashboard.
Timing
Rollout began 1 December 2021. Google declared it complete on 21 December 2021, 20 days later. Rankings typically remain unstable for the whole rollout window, so measurements taken inside it are not a reliable read on the outcome.