Online reputation management is becoming increasingly complex now that Google have entered the review and rating space. Former companies who have dominated online reviews in recent years like Yelp et el have faced a floury of allegations and charges accusing them of extorting local businesses owners who fight hard to protect their online reputation.

Now Google Hotpot has launched their service these results will soon be found in Google places and Google Maps search results:

As quoted by Google:

Google Places and Hotpot isn’t just about telling others what you think. It’s about discovering new great places based on your personal tastes and preferences. Once you’ve rated places and added friends, start looking for recommendations of new places to try on Google Maps.

Next time you’re looking for a new dentist, hair salon or restaurant search on Google Maps to see what your friends have to say. Your Google Maps search results will be prioritized according to your preferences. Then you’ll see explanations from friends, so you can find the right place for you.

How will this affect your companies online reputation?

With reviews of your company soon being placed right along side search results Google will be in the unique position to place user generated feedback right along side their listing of your company in their 'search engine' given them an unparalleled power.

It will be highly abused by fake reviews placed by bitter competitors and no doubt be almost impossible to police. Getting into a dispute over an online review will no doubt be a painstaking task and while it lingers not only could your business be negatively effected but even if successful in removing an erroneous review, the malicious perpetrator can spend a few minutes to once again anonymously post another, further tarnishing their victims reputation.

If you have a local business it will now be vital that you are also aware of all reviews posted about your company, thus adding yet another task to the small business owners daily agenda. Not only will you have to check your companies ranking in the 'search engine' but also have to examine all new 'reviews'!

There is one service which has spring up to manage this task called Hotpot Alerts where can sign up to get alerts of any reviews posted about your company sent directly to your email.