If you're in the real estate business, online reviews are a crucial part of your local SEO strategy. When potential buyers or sellers search Google for real estate agents or brokers near them, they're often met with a long list of choices. Without reviews, your real estate company is likely to get buried below your competitors in these search results. So what helps one stand out from the rest? Consistently strong reviews on the right platforms.
To truly dominate local search results, real estate professionals need to build a presence across a range of real estate review sites. These platforms not only improve your visibility within search engines but also help establish trust with potential clients wherever they're searching.
Why Do Real Estate Review Sites Matter for Local SEO?
Reviews are a direct ranking factor in Google's local algorithm. This means that businesses with more high-quality, recent reviews tend to show up higher in the local pack (the map-based listings).
Most real estate professionals already know they should collect reviews on their Google Business Profile (GBP) as part of optimizing it, but many overlook the importance of diversifying where reviews appear.
The best real estate review sites go beyond GBP to include other high-authority platforms. These websites can rank well in organic search results themselves, creating more opportunities for people to find your business, especially if they scroll past the Google Maps section. In some cases, these platforms may even outrank your website for certain branded or service-related search terms.
It's also worth considering how people are using new technologies to search locally. Platforms like ChatGPT and other generative AI tools are being used to answer questions like "What's the best real estate agency near me?" These tools pull from a wide range of sources, not just Google, so being present on multiple reputable review sites increases your chances of being mentioned in AI-generated results, thus increasing your AI visibility.
Collect Reviews on These Top Real Estate Review Sites To Boost Local SEO
To build a well-rounded online reputation and improve your chances of ranking well locally, aim to collect reviews on the following platforms.
1. Google Business Profile
Still the most important platform for local SEO, your Google Business Profile is what feeds your business into Google Maps results and the local pack in Google Search. Reviews here directly influence your local rankings and are often the first thing a searcher sees, so make Google review requests a regular part of your post-transaction process!
2. Zillow
As one of the most visited real estate marketplaces in the U.S., Zillow is a must for agents and brokerages. Zillow agent profiles allow for client reviews, which can help establish authority and drive traffic. Many homebuyers begin their search on Zillow, making it a prime spot to build your reputation.
3. Realtor.com
Another major real estate portal, Realtor.com allows reviews for agents, which show up on their professional profile pages. Because Realtor.com is tied to the National Association of Realtors, it adds a level of trustworthiness for consumers. It's also a high-authority domain that frequently ranks well in organic search.
4. Yelp
While not real estate-specific, Yelp remains an influential review platform for any type of local business, especially in competitive urban markets. Yelp reviews can rank well in organic search, and some platforms pull Yelp data for business listings instead of providing their own built-in review system, making Yelp an important player in your local visibility.
5. Facebook
Many people turn to social media to check out businesses, and Facebook is still one of the top platforms for reviews. Facebook reviews provide social proof that's visible to anyone on the social network, and a strong Facebook presence supports your overall brand credibility.
6. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB offers a formal, trusted platform for consumers to review and rate businesses. While not real estate-specific, a good BBB profile with positive reviews can enhance your credibility and provide another path for potential clients to find you through branded or reputation-based searches.
7. Angi (formerly Angie's List)
Angi is known for service-based business reviews, including real estate agents and property management professionals. It caters to users who are actively looking to hire professionals, making it a valuable platform for collecting qualified, trust-building reviews.
8. Redfin
Redfin, like Zillow, is a major player in the online home search space. It allows real estate agents to receive reviews and endorsements tied to completed transactions. Because Redfin's agent profiles are often visible to buyers on the platform, positive reviews here can directly influence lead conversions.
9. Homes.com
Though it's a smaller player compared to Zillow or Realtor.com, Homes.com has been growing its audience and offers review functionality for real estate professionals. It's another opportunity to diversify your online reputation and capture visibility on a niche site.
10. Apple Maps
Often overlooked, Apple Maps offers a built-in rating system and is quickly growing in terms of users. It's the default navigation app for iPhones, meaning if someone searches for your business or a real estate service via Siri or the iOS-native Maps app, having a presence here matters. Make sure your Apple Maps listing is claimed and up to date!
Wrapping Up
If you're serious about improving your local SEO as a real estate professional, don't limit yourself to just one review platform. The best real estate review sites help you build trust, improve visibility, and reach potential clients wherever they're searching, whether it's on Google, an industry-specific platform, or even through AI-powered tools.
By consistently collecting and responding to reviews across multiple platforms, you create a strong, local search-friendly reputation that sets your business apart in a hyper-competitive market. It's one of the most cost-effective, high-impact strategies you can invest in to grow your local presence and attract more clients!
