If you own or manage a local business, knowing which review sites matter most for SEO can make or break your local visibility.
Not only that, but online reviews are one of the first things potential customers look at when deciding where to spend their money, and they heavily influence buying decisions.
In fact, a vast majority of consumers rely on online reviews as much or more than personal recommendations. Therefore, ensuring your business is listed on the right mix of the best review sites for local SEO can be a game changer for local visibility and customer acquisition.
But with so many options out there, how do you know which review sites are best for your local business? This article will explore what makes a local business review site valuable for SEO and highlight some of the top review platforms to get your business listed on.
What Makes a Local Business Review Site Good for SEO?
Not all review platforms are created equal. Certain factors can make a particular site more beneficial for local businesses. Here are the key characteristics to look for:
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High Traffic
A review site with high traffic means more eyes on your business. The more people use the platform to find and review businesses, the greater the opportunity for exposure.
Popular review sites that attract millions of visitors monthly can significantly increase the chances of your business getting found by nearby customers, both in broader local search results and site-specific searches.
Reputable and Trusted by the Public
Consumers trust review sites for local businesses that have a reputation for being reliable and fair.
The top review sites for businesses have strong guidelines in place to ensure that reviews are authentic and reflect real customer experiences, including a process to remove fake reviews.
Sites that are trusted by the public can not only lend credibility to your business, but they also tend to have the highest traffic and get featured more prominently in local search results.
Prominent in Local Search Results
The best local business review sites often show up on the first page of local search results when potential customers are looking for nearby products or services. If your business is reviewed on these platforms, it increases the chances of appearing in front of people searching for businesses like yours.
Google Business Profile, for example, is a dominant player here, as it is integrated directly into Google Search results and even appears above organic results, where all the other review sites for local businesses show up.
Industry-Specific (For Certain Industries)
Some industries, such as healthcare or hospitality, have specialized review sites that cater specifically to them. If your business operates in one of these fields, it's crucial to be listed on industry-specific platforms. Consumers looking for a doctor, hotel, or restaurant, for instance, may trust reviews on these specialized sites more than generic platforms.
How Online Reviews Impact Local SEO (And AI Search Visibility)
Online reviews influence both how customers perceive your business and how visible you are in search results.
In traditional local SEO, Google uses review signals, such as quantity, quality, recency, and velocity, to determine local rankings. More positive reviews on Google and other trusted platforms help improve your position in the local pack and increase click-through rates from search results.
But reviews now play a role in AI-powered search visibility as well. Generative search tools and AI assistants rely heavily on reputation data from high-authority review sites when recommending businesses. If your business consistently earns authentic, fresh reviews, AI systems are more likely to recognize it as trustworthy and mention it in conversational search results.
Simply put: strong, steady reviews boost your visibility in both traditional local search and emerging AI-driven search experiences, making review management one of the most valuable ongoing SEO tactics for local businesses.
9 of the Best Local Review Sites for SEO (General and Industry-Specific)
There are a variety of review sites for businesses that cater to local businesses, each with its own strengths and advantages. The best review sites for SEO offer a combination of high traffic, trustworthy reviews, and a strong presence in local search results.
Here are some of the top review sites to consider listing your local business on, depending on your industry and audience:
1. Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is by far the most important review platform for local businesses, and you really shouldn't even think about listing your business anywhere else until you've claimed and optimized your GBP listing.
When customers search for your business or related products/services on Google, your GBP profile may appear at the top of search results, especially if you rank in Google's local pack. The platform allows users to leave reviews directly on your profile, and these Google reviews are crucial for local SEO and gaining customer trust.
Given Google's dominance in search, an optimized GBP profile with positive reviews can greatly boost your visibility and credibility.
2. Yelp
Yelp is another one of the most popular review platforms, especially for restaurants, retail, and service-based businesses.
With millions of monthly users, Yelp's reviews carry a lot of weight in the customer decision-making process. The platform is also highly trusted by the public, making it a valuable platform for building a strong online reputation.
Additionally, Yelp reviews are frequently featured in organic search results on Google and other search engines, adding to its value for local SEO.
3. Facebook
With its large user base, Facebook has become another one of the key players in the world of online reviews.
Many local businesses use Facebook not only as a social platform, but also as a place to gather customer feedback. Facebook's recommendation feature allows users to rate businesses and leave comments on their experiences.
What makes Facebook particularly valuable is its integration with social sharing, allowing positive reviews to be spread among users' networks, further expanding your reach.
4. Tripadvisor
For businesses in the travel, hospitality, and tourism industries, Tripadvisor is a must. The online site for business reviews is a go-to resource for people looking for hotels, restaurants, and attractions, and it allows users to post detailed reviews and photos of their experiences.
Being listed on Tripadvisor can help businesses in these industries gain credibility and attract more customers, especially tourists planning a trip or locals looking for new food or activities to try.
5. Healthgrades
For healthcare providers, Healthgrades is one of the most trusted review sites. Patients use it to find and evaluate nearby doctors, dentists, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals.
Reviews on Healthgrades are specific to the medical field, focusing on aspects such as bedside manner, appointment scheduling, and office cleanliness, making it a great platform for healthcare businesses to showcase their quality of care.
6. Angi (formerly Angie's List)
Angi is a review platform primarily for home services businesses, such as contractors, plumbers, electricians, and others. It has a large user base of people specifically looking for home improvement and maintenance services.
Angi reviews tend to be more detailed than those on other platforms, and users often pay for premium membership to access the best reviews and ratings. For service-based businesses, being listed on Angi can lead to a steady flow of leads and customer inquiries.
7. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Founded in 1912, the BBB is a long-standing nonprofit business reporting and accreditation organization with a highly-regarded review site, where businesses are provided with a rating based on customer reviews and complaints.
A good BBB rating can significantly improve customer trust, as the platform is known for its stringent evaluation process. The BBB is particularly beneficial for businesses that prioritize building a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.
8. OpenTable
Restaurants and other food-related businesses can benefit from OpenTable, a review platform dedicated to dining experiences.
OpenTable integrates dining reservation systems with restaurant reviews, making it easy for customers to book and leave feedback all in one place. It's widely trusted by restaurant-goers and is particularly useful for businesses looking to boost their credibility and visibility in the competitive food-service industry.
9. Apple Maps
Apple Maps is a must for businesses aiming to attract iOS users, and its significance is growing even more with its recent launch on the web. Previously limited to Apple devices, Apple Maps now reaches a broader audience, meaning its traffic is likely to increase as more users rely on it for local business searches.
Users can rate businesses on Apple Maps via their Place Cards, which can boost a business's credibility and prominence on the platform. As Apple continues to invest in its mapping services and roll out more features, Apple Maps will only become more vital for local businesses to manage their presence and collect local ratings on.
FAQs About the Best Review Sites for SEO
Do online reviews affect local SEO?
Yes. Google considers review signals, including rating, volume, velocity, and recency, as key factors in local search rankings. More positive reviews on trusted platforms help improve visibility and click-through rates wherever your potential customers are searching.
Which review sites are best for local SEO?
Google Business Profile should be your top priority, followed by Yelp, Tripadvisor, Facebook, and industry-specific platforms like Healthgrades, depending on your business type.
How do reviews influence AI search results?
AI-driven search tools and assistants pull from trusted review sources when recommending local businesses. Frequent, authentic reviews across a range of platforms improve your chances of being featured in AI-generated suggestions.
How can I get more local reviews?
Depending on the specific review site's guidelines, you can ask satisfied customers directly after a positive experience, include review links in follow-up emails or texts, and make it easy for them to leave feedback, but never offer incentives, which most platforms prohibit.
Should I respond to local reviews?
Absolutely. Responding professionally to both positive and negative feedback shows potential customers you value feedback and are committed to improving, which builds trust and can positively influence both reputation and rankings.
Conclusion
Listing your local business on some of the top review sites for businesses, including the big ones like Google Business Profile as well as more niche sites that are relevant to your industry, is a crucial local SEO tactic that helps ensure you reach the widest audience possible.
Not only that, but listing and keeping your business information updated on reputable, relevant review sites also helps you build local citations, which is another important part of a comprehensive local SEO strategy.
Lastly, make sure to actively manage your listings and respond to reviews wherever possible to manage your online reputation and show customers that you value their feedback and are committed to providing excellent service!
