How Many Google Reviews Do I Need to Rank?
There is no fixed number of Google reviews you need to rank. You need enough to compete with the businesses already in the top 3 for your search, in your area. In a small town that could be 30. In a big city it could be several hundred. The only way to know your number is to count your competitors' reviews.
Google does not publish a target. It says that review count and score are part of prominence, which is one of the three things it uses for local results, along with relevance and distance. Our guide to Google Maps ranking factors covers the rest.
How to find your number in 4 steps
- Search your main service and town. For example, "dentist in Bristol". Do it on Google Maps.
- Write down the top 3. Note each one's review count and star rating.
- Check how fast they get reviews. Sort their reviews by newest. Count how many arrived in the last 3 months.
- Set your target. Aim for the middle of the top 3 first, not the highest.
Results change depending on where the person searching is standing. Use the free local rank checker to see who really ranks around you.
An example of working out your target
This example uses made-up numbers for a plumber:
| Business | Reviews | Rating | New in last 3 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competitor A (no. 1) | 210 | 4.8 | 24 |
| Competitor B (no. 2) | 95 | 4.6 | 12 |
| Competitor C (no. 3) | 60 | 4.9 | 9 |
| You | 25 | 4.7 | 2 |
Your first target here is about 95 reviews, which is 70 more. At 2 reviews a month you would need almost 3 years. At 8 a month you would need about 9 months, and you would be getting more new reviews than Competitors B and C.
Why the review count is not the whole story
- Distance still matters. A nearby business with fewer reviews can beat you for people standing next to it. See why rankings drop away from your business.
- Relevance still matters. 500 reviews will not fix the wrong primary category.
- Fresh reviews matter to customers. A profile whose last review is a year old looks quiet. Our guide on review recency explains why a steady flow is the goal.
- Your rating counts too. People read the stars before they read anything else.
If a business with fewer reviews is above you, read why a competitor ranks higher than you on Google Maps.
How to reach your review target
- Ask every customer. Ask at the moment the job is done, in person if you can.
- Make it one tap. Print a code from our free Google review QR code generator and put it on the counter, the invoice or the van.
- Follow up with a text or email. Send your link the same day. Our free Google review link generator writes the message for you.
- Reply to every review. Use our Google review response examples. Customers notice.
Never buy reviews, offer money for them, or ask only happy customers through a filter. Google can remove them. Our guide on how to get more Google reviews has the wording to use.
Want to know how many 5-star reviews it takes to lift your rating? Use the free Google review calculator.
How RankLocal helps
RankLocal Pro shows your rank across your area each week and replies to your 4-star and 5-star reviews for you. You can try the first month for $1, then it is $19 a month, and you can cancel any time.
Questions people actually ask
Is 100 Google reviews enough?
It depends on your competitors. 100 reviews can put you ahead in a small town and leave you behind in a big city. Count the top 3 near you.
How many reviews should a new business aim for?
Start with getting your first 10 to 20 honest reviews from real customers. After that, set your target from your competitors' numbers.
Do I need a 5.0 rating?
No. A few lower ratings make a profile look real. Focus on honest reviews, and reply to the bad ones.
How many reviews should I get each month?
Match or beat the monthly number of the businesses you want to pass. A steady number each month is better than a burst followed by nothing.
See where you stand, free
Run your business through the free Google Business Profile Grader for an instant 0-100 score, or check your map rank with the Local Rank Checker. Want a playbook for your specific trade? See our local SEO guides by industry, or start free with RankLocal and let it fix everything automatically.
Want more of our local SEO guides in your search results? Add RankLocal as a preferred source on Google.