For dental practices, building citations and reputation through online reviews is a critical part of attracting new patients through local SEO. Many people searching for a new dentist rely on reviews to guide their decision, and both traditional search engines, like Google and Bing, and now AI search platforms, like ChatGPT and similar tools, use these reviews as a ranking factor for local search results. Getting listed on the right review sites provides valuable SEO citations for dentists, ultimately helping them get discovered by improving their overall online visibility.
To maximize the benefits of online reviews, dental practices should focus on both general and industry-specific review platforms. Some sites, like Google Business Profile and Yelp, have a strong direct impact on local SEO for dentists, while other industry-specific platforms cater specifically to dental patients and provide additional credibility and local SEO citations for dentists. Below, we'll explore some of the best dentist review sites for SEO and explain why they matter for ranking higher in local search results.
Why Do Dentist Review Sites Matter for Local SEO?
Review sites play a key role in local SEO by influencing how search engines and potential patients perceive a dental practice. Search engines consider multiple factors when ranking local businesses, and online reviews are one of the biggest ones. And with the proliferation of AI-driven search experiences, from Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode to generative AI tools and assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini, reviews have quietly become more important than ever. AI search tools draw from a range of sources, including reviews, when providing local business information in answers and suggestions.
How Dental SEO Citations From Review Sites Boost Local Search Visibility
Reviews on high-authority sites can directly impact local rankings in traditional SERPs. Google, for example, factors in the number, quality, velocity, and recency of reviews when determining which dental practices appear in the local pack and Maps results. A steady flow of positive reviews signals trustworthiness and relevance, making a practice more likely to rank higher within Google's Search ecosystem.
Being listed on multiple review sites also strengthens a practice's overall online presence. Google and other search engines look for consistency across different platforms. Having an optimized profile with accurate business information on several well-known review sites helps establish legitimacy and can lead to better organic search visibility.
Not only that, but diversifying reviews across platforms has also been shown to improve AI visibility, helping businesses appear in AI Overviews and other AI-generated local search results.
Additionally, many potential patients start their search directly on review platforms rather than Google. Some people trust healthcare-specific review sites, like Healthgrades or Zocdoc, more than general search results when choosing a dentist or another healthcare provider. Ensuring your practice is well-represented on these industry-specific sites increases the chances of being discovered by patients who are actively looking for a dentist.
Finally, dentist review sites contribute to local citations and backlinks, both of which support local SEO efforts. A citation is any online mention of a business's name, address, and phone number (NAP), and citations from authoritative review sites help reinforce a practice's legitimacy. Some review platforms also allow backlinks to the practice's website, which can improve its domain authority and search rankings.
Best Review Sites for Dentists To Improve Local SEO
1. Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most important review site for dental SEO. Since Google dominates local search, an optimized GBP listing with a high number of positive reviews can significantly impact rankings in the local pack and map results. Reviews on Google are also highly visible, and patients searching for a dentist will often see GBP reviews before any other site.
To make the most of GBP, dentists should encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews regularly and respond professionally to all feedback. An active, professionally managed profile improves both rankings and credibility.
2. Apple Maps
While not as widely used as Google Maps, Apple Maps is an increasingly important platform for local businesses, including dental practices.
With millions of iPhone users relying on Apple Maps for directions and recommendations, having an optimized Apple Business Connect listing with positive reviews (where available) can drive more patients to a dental office.
3. Yelp
Yelp is another powerful review platform for dentists, particularly in competitive urban areas. While Yelp's review filtering system can be strict, it remains a trusted source for prospective patients looking for highly rated businesses.
Yelp listings and reviews often appear in Google search results, making them very valuable for boosting organic local search visibility. Plus, AI search tools frequently cite Yelp as a source in AI-generated summaries and responses.
Dentists should claim their Yelp profile, ensure their business information is accurate, and engage with reviewers to maintain a strong reputation on the platform.
4. Healthgrades
Healthgrades is one of the most well-known healthcare review platforms, making it a must for any dental practice's local SEO strategy.
Patients frequently use Healthgrades to research medical providers, and having a strong profile here can boost credibility. The platform also allows dentists to highlight their specialties, experience, and patient ratings, which can influence potential patients' decisions.
5. Zocdoc
Zocdoc is a popular site for booking medical and dental appointments. It combines reviews with scheduling tools, making it an excellent platform for attracting new patients.
Because Zocdoc allows patients to leave feedback after appointments, it serves as both a dentist review platform and a lead generation tool.
6. RateMDs
RateMDs is another site where patients can review dentists and other medical professionals. While not as widely used as Google or Yelp, it is still a valuable platform for building a strong online reputation.
Many patients searching for healthcare providers turn to RateMDs for reviews before making a decision.
7. Vitals
Vitals is similar to Healthgrades and RateMDs, offering detailed doctor and dentist profiles along with patient reviews. Since it ranks well in search engines, having a profile with positive reviews can improve a dental practice's overall local search visibility.
8. 1-800-Dentist
1-800-Dentist is a dental-specific directory that connects patients with local dentists. It focuses more on lead generation than traditional reviews, but patient ratings and testimonials on the platform can still influence potential patients. Listings on 1-800-Dentist also serve as valuable citations for local SEO.
9. Facebook
While not a traditional dentist review site, Facebook is a key platform where patients can leave recommendations for businesses, including dentists.
Reviews on Facebook can influence potential patients, especially those who prefer to rely on recommendations from their social network. Facebook business pages with good reviews can also show up in organic search results, increasing overall local search visibility.
Wrapping Up
For dentists looking to improve their local SEO and attract more patients, maintaining a strong presence on multiple dentist review sites is essential.
But what's the best review site for dentist SEO? Google Business Profile should always be the top priority, as it continues to drive the most traffic and Google reviews directly impact local search rankings.
However, platforms like Yelp, Apple Maps, and dental-industry-specific review sites like Healthgrades and Zocdoc also play an important role in building credibility and increasing visibility.
Actively managing reviews, responding to feedback, and encouraging satisfied patients to leave testimonials helps dental practices strengthen their online reputation and improve their chances of ranking higher in local search results.
Investing time in building SEO citations for dentists across these review sites not only boosts SEO but also builds trust with potential patients, ultimately leading to more appointments and long-term success.
