Google’s Major Update: What Schools Need to Know

Starting April 30, 2025, Google will disable reviews and ratings for all general education schools (K-12). This change aims to reduce fake, misleading, or prank reviews that often appear on school listings.

Why Is Google Making This Change?

Schools, unlike businesses, don’t rely on customer feedback for operations. Unfortunately, many institutions face irrelevant or harmful reviews from students or outsiders. By removing this feature, Google hopes to create a fairer online space for educational institutions.

How Zenoids Helps Schools Adapt & Thrive.

At Zenoids Technologies (a leading IT Solutions & Digital Marketing Agency), we specialize in helping educational institutions enhance their digital presence while complying with Google’s policies. Here’s how we can help:

1. Alternative Reputation Management Strategies
Since Google reviews are disappearing, schools must leverage other platforms to collect and display genuine feedback. We offer:

• Custom Review Portals: Secure, school-branded platforms for parent testimonials.
• Trusted third-party review platforms (e.g., Trustpilot, GreatSchools).
• Social Media & Website Testimonials: Highlighting parent and student success stories.

2. Enhanced Local SEO for Schools:
Even without reviews, Google My Business (GMB) listings remain crucial for local visibility. We optimize:

• Accurate Business Profile Setup (correct categories, NAP consistency).
• Google Posts & Updates: Share events, achievements, and news directly on GMB.
• Local Citations & Directory Listings: Ensuring schools rank high in local searches.

3. Website & Content Strategy for Trust Building
A well-optimized website can compensate for lost reviews by:

• Dedicated Testimonial Pages: Showcasing verified parent & student feedback.
• Blogs & Success Stories: Highlighting academic achievements and community impact.
• SEO-Optimized Content: Targeting keywords like “best school in [location]” to attract parents.

4. Social Proof Through Social Media Marketing

• Facebook & Instagram Reviews: Encouraging parents to leave feedback on social platforms.
• Video Testimonials & Virtual Tours: Building Credibility Through Engaging Visuals.
• Community Engagement Campaigns: Strengthening relationships with parents and alumni.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Google’s removal of school reviews creates a gap but also an opportunity for schools to control their narrative and build trust through owned digital assets.

At Zenoids we help educational institutions
✔ Maintain a strong online reputation without relying on Google reviews.
✔ Boost local SEO & visibility to attract more enrollments.
✔ Engage parents & students through authentic storytelling.

Need a custom solution for your school?
Contact Zenoids today for a free digital audit!