Do online reviews help local SEO rankings?
Local SEO
Yes—online reviews are a core local SEO ranking factor and their influence has grown stronger in 2025. Google evaluates both quantity and quality of reviews, alongside review velocity (how consistently you earn them). Positive reviews improve not only rankings but also click-through rates from Maps and local packs. Reviews also feed into Google’s AI search snippets—customer sentiment can appear directly in SGE responses.
To leverage reviews:
(1) Actively request reviews after service (via email/SMS).
(2) Respond to all reviews, including negatives, to demonstrate trustworthiness (EEAT factor).
(3) Include keywords naturally in responses (e.g., “Thanks for choosing our Chennai SEO agency”)—these help reinforce relevance.
(4) Diversify review platforms (Google, Yelp, industry-specific sites).
Remember, fake reviews are riskier than ever—Google’s filters and AI review spam detection have become much stricter.
Further Reading: