Why Reviews Are the Most Powerful Local Ranking and Conversion Signal
Google uses reviews as a measure of your business's real-world quality and trustworthiness. The algorithm looks at: total review count, average star rating, review velocity (how recently reviews were left), review diversity (different platforms), and engagement (whether you respond). Businesses that win at reviews win at local rankings.
But reviews don't just help you rank — they directly convert browsers into buyers. A business with 200 4.8-star reviews will get the call over a competitor with 15 reviews every time, regardless of other factors.