Last week, Google introduced the new Google+ design and with that, reviews are being removed from the Google+ Local listings.

This has been discussed since the launch and Google has confirmed it a few days ago. Elizabeth from Google wrote in a Google Business Help thread:

Reviews will no longer be shown on Google+ Pages in the new Google+ design. Reviews are still accessible on Google Search and Maps which have always been the primary way that users find business reviews.

As you can imagine, this is a huge concern for local SEOs and businesses. Why drop reviews from local listings?

A Local Search Forum thread has Linda saying we need to educate our clients, she wrote:

So we need to get used to the fact AND educate our clients that Google Local is no longer about the G+ L page. The data we enter into GMB data and the reviews are just as important as ever. However the main places the data & reviews will show up for consumers (currently), is right in search, the Local Finder, the Knowledge Graph and Google Maps.

How do you feel about Google dropping reviews from Google+ Local listings? Or who cares? Google+ is going to be killed off entirely soon anyway?

Forum discussion at Google Business Help and Google Business Help.