2024 Google Review Stats That Matter
Google reviews have become a cornerstone of online reputation management. Reviews play an important part of customer acquisition for businesses across all industries. The importance of these reviews continues to grow in 2024, shaping both consumer decisions and business success.
To help you understand the impact of Google reviews on your business, we’ve compiled a list of statistics including:
- Google review volume and distribution across industries
- The impact of reviews on consumer behavior and trust
- Review influence on local SEO and business visibility
- Trends in review management and response strategies
Whether a local business or a large corporation, these insights provide valuable guidance on how reviews can boost your online reputation. This includes building customer trust and driving growth in 2024 and beyond.
Effective management, including Google review removal, can help protect your reputation and maintain customer trust.
Let’s dive into the numbers that are shaping the landscape of Google reviews in 2024.
Google Review Stats Key Takeaways
Google reviews provide critical insights into consumer behavior. Reviews influence buying decisions and shape trust in businesses. The following key statistics highlight the importance of managing your Google review presence effectively.- 73% of all online reviews are hosted on Google, making it the leading platform.*
- 81% of consumers read Google reviews before engaging with a business.*
- 58% of consumers will pay more for businesses with good reviews.*
- Only 9% would consider a business with a 1- or 2-star rating.*
- The average business has about 223.9 reviews, impacting conversion rates.*
- 53% of consumers expect a response to negative reviews within a week.*
Industry-Specific Review Insights
Google reviews play a pivotal role across various industries, offering valuable insights into consumer preferences and service quality. The following industry-specific stats underscore the importance of reviews in building trust and driving growth within each sector.
- Hospitality: Hotels with review responses receive 12% more reviews and see a 0.12-star increase in ratings.
- Healthcare: 34% of all Google reviews are for healthcare services, the highest among industries.
- Automotive: The second-highest reviewed industry, with 19% of Google reviews.
- Retail: 11.68% of Google reviews are for hair salons, leading the retail sector.
- Overall Sentiment: 86% of analyzed Google reviews were 5-star ratings, indicating generally positive feedback.
The following summaries highlight the significance of Google reviews within each industry, showcasing their impact on consumer behavior and business success.
Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry leads in online reviews. Over 34% of Google reviews are for healthcare services, highlighting the critical role of patient feedback in shaping medical provider reputations. This industry encompasses a wide range of services, including general practice clinics, specialist medical centers, diagnostic imaging facilities, and allied health practices such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
- 34% of all Google reviews are for healthcare services.1
- The average rating for healthcare providers tends to be around 4.3 stars.2
- 77% of patients use online reviews as their first step in finding a new doctor.3
- Practices with higher online ratings earn 37% more revenue annually than those with lower ratings.
Neglecting online reviews in healthcare can erode patient trust, potentially leading to an exodus of patients to competitors who better manage their digital reputation.
Automotive Industry
Automotive businesses are heavily reviewed online. With 19% of all Google reviews, car dealerships and repair shops must prioritize their online presence to attract customers. The automotive sector includes businesses like car dealerships, auto repair and service centers, car rental agencies, and auto parts retailers.
- 19% of Google reviews are for automotive businesses.*
- The average star rating for auto dealerships is 4.1 out of 5 stars.
- 93% of car buyers use online reviews to help make their purchase decisions.
- Dealerships with ratings above 3.5 stars are 37% more likely to be contacted by potential customers.
In the fast-paced automotive market, ignoring online feedback can quickly tarnish a dealership’s reputation, steering potential customers towards more responsive competitors.
Hospitality and Restaurants
Positive reviews drive customer choices in hospitality. 76% of travellers are willing to pay more for hotels with higher ratings, underscoring the impact of online feedback on bookings. This category covers a diverse range of businesses, from hotels and resorts to fine dining restaurants, fast food chains, and catering services.
- Hotels with review responses receive 12% more reviews and their ratings increase by 0.12 stars.
- 76% of travellers are willing to pay more for a hotel with higher review scores.
- Restaurants see a 5-9% increase in revenue for every half-star improvement on review sites.
- 94% of diners choose restaurants based on online reviews.
For hospitality businesses, poor review management can result in a negative spiral, where fewer positive reviews lead to fewer bookings, further reducing opportunities for positive experiences.
Retail and E-commerce
Retail services like hair salons thrive on customer reviews. Leading with 11.68% of Google reviews, these businesses benefit from personal customer experiences shared online. Retail and e-commerce encompass various business types, including department stores, online marketplaces, specialty boutiques, and electronics retailers.
- 11.68% of Google reviews are for hair salons, leading the retail sector.
- 10.72% of reviews are for appliance stores.1
- 93% of consumers say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions.
- A one-star increase in Yelp rating leads to a 5-9% increase in revenue for independent restaurants.
In the digital shopping era, neglecting online reviews can make a retail business virtually invisible to modern consumers, regardless of the qua
Tech Support and Services
Tech support struggles with lower average ratings. Many services hover around 3.5 stars, indicating a need for improved customer engagement and service quality. The tech support and services industry includes IT consulting firms, computer repair shops, managed IT service providers, and software development companies.
- Tech support industries often have lower average ratings, closer to 3.5 stars.
- 68% of consumers form an opinion after reading just 1-6 reviews.
- 86% of people hesitate to purchase from a business with negative online reviews.
- Responding to negative reviews can increase customer advocacy by up to 25%.
For tech support companies, a lack of review management can amplify negative perceptions, potentially turning minor issues into reputation-damaging crises.
Real Estate Industry
Real estate heavily relies on Google reviews for visibility. With 57.5% of all reviews coming from this sector, maintaining a positive online reputation is essential for attracting buyers and sellers. This sector comprises real estate agencies, property management companies, commercial real estate firms, and real estate appraisal services.
- 97% of home buyers start their property search on the internet.
- The internet accounts for at least 52% of all property referrals.
- 68% of customers say they have left a Google review for local businesses when asked.
- Google reviews have about a 20% impact on the local visibility of a business.
- 81% of consumers are more likely to check Google reviews before engaging with a real estate business.
In real estate where trust is paramount, failing to address negative reviews can cast a long shadow over an agent’s or agency’s reputation, potentially impacting business for years.
Financial Services
Financial institutions must focus on their online reputation. With 73% of business reviews posted on Google, positive feedback is crucial for building trust with potential clients. Financial services cover a broad spectrum, including retail banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and financial advisory services.
- 87% of customers engage with businesses that have a 3-4 star rating on Google.
- 89% of customers prefer to check out online reviews before making financial decisions.
- 58% of customers claim that having a Google business profile increases physical visits by customers.
For financial institutions, neglecting review management can undermine the very trust they seek to build, potentially scaring away clients who equate online reputation with financial reliability.
Legal Services
Recent reviews are vital for legal firms’ credibility. Since 73% of consumers only trust recent feedback, timely responses to reviews are essential for maintaining client confidence. The legal services industry includes general practice law firms, specialized law firms (such as criminal, corporate, or family law), legal aid services, and mediation and arbitration services.
- 73% of consumers only trust reviews written in the last month.
- Top-ranking legal businesses on Google have an average of 47 reviews.
- 68% of consumers form an opinion after reading just 1–6 reviews.
- 86% of people hesitate to engage with a legal service with negative online reviews.
In the legal field, where reputation is everything, failing to manage online reviews can lead to a perception of incompetence or indifference, driving potential clients to more attentive competitors.
Home Improvement Services
Home improvement businesses benefit significantly from visual feedback; those with images receive much higher engagement rates. Home improvement encompasses various services, including general contractors, painting companies, landscaping services, and plumbing and electrical contractors.
- Reviews containing images receive 230% more engagement than those without.
- An increase of one full star in rating can boost business revenue by 5–9%.
- 58% of consumers would pay more or travel further to patronize home improvement businesses with good reviews.1
- Only 9% of consumers would consider engaging with a home improvement business that had a 1–2 star average rating.1
For home improvement businesses, poor review management can lead to a reputation for subpar work, potentially turning a single negative experience into a long-term business obstacle.
Education and Training
Educational institutions must maintain positive online reputations, as most prospective students rely heavily on recent feedback when making decisions. This sector includes diverse entities such as private schools, vocational training centers, online learning platforms, and corporate training providers.
- 67% of reviews for educational institutions are written on Google.
- 88% of customers read Google reviews to determine the status and quality of an educational business before engaging with them.
- A consistent inflow of reviews is important to maintain an educational institution’s trustworthiness.
- For every 10 new reviews earned, conversion rates improve by 2.8%.
Educational institutions that ignore their online reviews risk appearing out of touch with student needs, potentially leading to decreased enrollment and a tarnished academic reputation.
How Guaranteed Removals Can Help
Managing your online reputation is essential for business success. Negative Google reviews can harm your credibility and drive away customers. If you’re dealing with unfair reviews, Guaranteed Removals offers a specialized Google Review Removal Service where you only pay for removed reviews. For those who prefer to handle it themselves, our step-by-step guide on How To Remove Google Reviews empowers you to take control of your reputation, with our professional help available if needed. Don’t let negative reviews hold you back, take action today!
Sources
- SOCi: https://www.soci.com/blog/google-review-statistics
- Journal of Medical Internet Research: https://www.jmir.org/2020/7/e18537/
- Software Advice: https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/how-patients-use-online-reviews/
- PatientPop: https://www.patientpop.com/blog/online-reputation-management-statistics/
- DealerRater: https://www.dealerrater.com/consumer/dealer-ratings-and-reviews
- Cars.com: https://www.cars.com/articles/car-shopper-journey-study-2021
- BirdEye: https://birdeye.com/blog/online-reviews-impact-on-business/
- Cornell University: https://scholarship.sha.cornell.edu/articles/1012/
- Harvard Business School: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=41233
- OpenTable: https://restaurant.opentable.com/news/features/online-reviews-survey-2019/
- BrightLocal: https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/
- Zendesk: https://www.zendesk.com/blog/customer-service-and-lifetime-customer-value/
- Convince & Convert: https://www.convinceandconvert.com/online-customer-experience/responding-to-reviews/
- National Association of Realtors: https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/real-estate-in-a-digital-age
- Qualtrics XM Institute: https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/online-review-stats/
- J.D. Power: https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-retail-banking-satisfaction-study
- American Bar Association: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/publications/techreport/2021/
