How Google reviews fit into local search
Reviews give prospective customers information about real experiences with your business. They can also contribute to local visibility, but a review count alone does not determine where a business appears.
Google describes local results as depending mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. Complete business information helps Google understand what you offer; the searcher’s location and how well-known the business is also matter. Review quantity and positive ratings can contribute to prominence, alongside other signals.
Avoid fixed ranking promises
There is no reliable rule that 200 reviews will outrank 20, or that 50 recent reviews will beat 200 older ones. A particular result depends on the search and the other businesses competing for it. Buying a review plaque does not guarantee a ranking, rating or number of reviews.
Respond because customers read your replies
Helpful replies demonstrate that you listen and give readers context. Do not treat replying as a guaranteed ranking increase. Address criticism professionally and keep personal customer information private.
Make honest feedback easy
Offer customers the same opportunity to share their experience, whatever their opinion. Do not offer incentives, ask only satisfied customers, or direct unhappy customers away from public reviewing. Customers need to sign into a Google Account to submit a Google review.
An NFC or QR product can open your chosen review link on a compatible phone with internet access. It does not submit a review or choose a rating for the customer.
Further reading
Explore SmarPlaque products or read how they work.