Do Google reviews help with SEO?

By Jorge Melo

If you ask any business owner why they care about rankings, the answers are usually simple. They want calls. They want trust. They want visibility when someone searches for a service right now. One stat captures the entire mindset: more than 90 percent of people choose a business in the local map pack because the listings show real reviews from real customers. That tells us something powerful. Reviews move behavior. And when behavior shifts, Google pays attention.

So, let’s get straight to the question. Do Google reviews help with SEO? Yes, they absolutely do. In both local and organic search, reviews can lift your ranking, strengthen your credibility, and attract more customers. I’ve seen it happen for clients, and I’ve seen it happen inside my own businesses. When New England Tree & Landscape and J Melo Media started consistently collecting reviews, both companies moved from low visibility to landing in Google’s top three for important keywords. Better rankings followed, and so did real customers.

This article breaks down exactly how Google reviews influence SEO, how accountants and service businesses can use them strategically, and how to turn something as simple as a review request into a genuine competitive advantage.

How Google Reviews Impact SEO

Google reviews affect how search engines measure trust, relevance, and prominence. Each review adds new text, new keywords, and new signals that tell Google your business is active and serving customers. That matters more than people realize.

Reviews can:

• Reinforce relevance for industry terms

• Improve local rankings in the map pack

• Increase click-through rates because the listing stands out

• Build trust before someone even clicks your website

For accountants, this can be especially powerful. Many clients hesitate to switch firms because they fear complexity. Seeing a long history of positive experiences reduces that fear, which improves engagement rates and strengthens your local authority.

What Google looks for in your Google reviews

High-star ratings

Averages matter. Businesses with ratings of 4.0 or higher consistently earn more visibility in Google Maps. It is not just about perfection either. A realistic 4.7 often

attracts more trust than a perfect 5.0.

Mention of long-form keywords

Customers naturally use industry terms in their reviews. If someone writes that you helped them “file quarterly taxes fast,” that text helps Google associate your profile with that service. The same applies to landscapers, attorneys, restaurants, and especially professionals using SEO for accounting firms.

Recency of reviews

Fresh reviews are a signal of relevance. Google weighs newer reviews more heavily because they reflect current performance.

Quantity of reviews

Crossing the 10–15 review mark often produces a noticeable lift. I’ve seen clients jump from page two to the top three positions after passing that threshold.

A verified Google Business Profile

You need a verified profile to respond, collect reviews, and show accurate business information. A verification issue automatically hurts visibility. If you ever wonder, how do I access my Google Business Profile, the answer is simple: sign into your Google account, visit business.google.com, and claim you're listing.

Balanced customer feedback

A couple of negative reviews do not hurt you. They actually make you look real. And if you respond well, they can strengthen trust.

Why Google reviews are important for local businesses

Google reviews influence how both people and search engines judge your relevance. Studies show that people read multiple reviews before reaching out. Strong reviews create psychological momentum. They quiet doubt. They make your listing more appealing than your competitors.

In industries where details matter, such as accounting, legal, and financial services, people want proof that you will not make their life harder. Reviews deliver that proof instantly.

How Google reviews impact local SEO

Google ranks local businesses based on relevance, distance, and prominence. Reviews directly affect prominence because they show activity, trust, and real engagement.

Google reviews increase trust

Google’s ranking system values Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Reviews play a major role in the “T.” The more consistent and authentic the review activity, the more Google views your business as trustworthy.

Google reviews improve click-through rates and organic traffic

High ratings attract more clicks from both Maps and search results. When people consistently pick your listing over competitors, Google boosts your ranking because it sees your business as the more relevant option.

How Google reviews affect overall SEO ranking

Reviews generate user behavior that Google measures. When users click, call, request directions, or visit your website, they send engagement signals that increase visibility. This is especially useful for businesses using basic SEO services, because reviews can supplement early SEO work before long-term authority is built.

How many Google reviews are necessary for a positive SEO effect?

Generally, meaningful lift happens around 10–15 reviews, but more is always better. What matters most is consistency. One review a year does almost nothing. Ten reviews every quarter builds momentum.

Do fake reviews affect Google SEO?

Yes. Google detects unnatural patterns. Fake reviews can trigger penalties, removal, or a suspension of your profile. Never buy reviews.

Write SEO-ready review responses

Respond with clarity. Use natural industry terms when appropriate. If someone mentions a specific service, reinforce it in your response.

For example:

“Thank you for trusting us with your year-end accounting cleanup. We’re glad the process felt simple and stress-free.”

This strengthens relevance without sounding forced.

How you can optimize Google reviews for SEO

Encourage customers to leave reviews

The fastest way to get more reviews is to ask. At New England Tree & Landscape, I created physical review cards with QR codes linking directly to Google and Yelp. They work better than waiting for customers to remember later.

Respond to Google reviews

Responding shows engagement and signals active management. Google rewards this behavior.

Address negative reviews

A negative review is not the end of the world. It is a chance to show customers how you handle problems. Even accountants benefit from this transparency.

Add reviews to your website

Embedding Google reviews on your site adds more content for search engines to index and reinforces trust with visitors.

Deploy reviews schema markup

Schema markup helps Google understand and display your star ratings in search results.

Use Google Review Insights

Review Insights reveal keywords customers repeatedly use. This helps business owners adjust content and improve keyword targeting.

Why you should always ask for photo or video reviews

Photo and video reviews offer stronger engagement, better credibility, and more context. People spend more time viewing them, which reduces bounce rates and increases trust. For accountants, a quick video of a business owner explaining how your services made their bookkeeping easier can be more persuasive than any written testimonial.

When I first started working with New England Tree & Landscape, their online presence was almost nonexistent. Their website was outdated, slow, and difficult to navigate. They were overpaying for hosting, and despite the high cost, they weren’t getting updates, SEO work, content, or any strategic guidance. Visibility was low, traffic was tiny, and customers couldn’t easily contact them.

Once J Melo Media stepped in, the transformation began immediately.

We rebuilt their entire website from the ground up. The new site is clean, modern, SEO friendly, and built around how customers actually search. We added clear calls to action on the home page, simplified the navigation, and made it easy for potential clients to book free estimates through Calendly. Their contact information is easy to find, and every major service page now reinforces trust with real examples of their work.

But the website was only half of the strategy.

We created their Google Business Profile from scratch, verified it, structured it correctly, and added categories, services, and accurate NAP information. We set up an ongoing posting schedule so their profile stays active. We coached them on taking better job photos, uploading them regularly, and using those images to establish authority in landscaping and hardscaping. We also introduced a review-collection system using physical review cards with QR codes so customers could leave feedback instantly. That alone helped them gather high-quality reviews that improved credibility and local ranking.

Their GMB profile quickly became a powerful asset. In fact, one of their best employees found them by searching “landscapers near me” on Google, seeing their Business Profile, and reaching out for a job. When your profile is set up properly, it attracts clients and talent. It positions you as the company people want to work with and work for.

The results were dramatic.

When we began, their website averaged around 200 impressions per month and barely 20 clicks. Within a few months, impressions jumped to roughly 20,000 per month and clicks increased to a few hundred monthly. And we still haven’t hit a full nine months of SEO yet.

Their search visibility exploded. They went from not showing up on page one to dominating Google’s results in their service area. They now bring in consistent new customers simply from people finding them on Google Maps instead of relying on word-of-mouth.

The combination of review collection, a fully optimized Google Business Profile, strong on-site SEO, regular posting, photo updates, backlinks, and content strategy completely changed their business. For landscapers, home services companies, and even professionals using SEO for accounting firms, this is the type of growth people look for when searching for the best local SEO services in New Bedford, MA or the best local SEO services in Fairhaven, MA.

Additional marketing support: Meta and Google ads

Beyond SEO, J Melo Media runs sophisticated ad campaigns on Meta and Google. Paid ads can reinforce your search presence, especially when paired with a strong review strategy. Many clients use SEO as their foundation, then expand into paid campaigns once the organic performance stabilizes.

This is common for businesses searching for SEM services in New Bedford, MA and SEM services in Fairhaven, MA. When SEM and reviews work together, visibility grows fast.

FAQ about local SEO

How long does local SEO take?

Most businesses see measurable improvement in 60–90 days, with stronger results around the six-month mark.

How do I access my Google Business Profile?

Visit business.google.com and log in with the email tied to your listing.

How do I claim my business on Google?

If you need to claim a business on Google, search your business name on Google Maps, click “Claim this business,” and follow the verification steps.

How do I remove negative reviews from Google?

Only reviews that violate Google’s policies can be removed. Otherwise, respond professionally and move the conversation offline.

Does responding to Google reviews help SEO?

Yes. Responses show active engagement and strengthen relevance for the services mentioned.

Why are my Google Business reviews disappearing?

Reviews may be filtered if they appear suspicious or violate guidelines.

How do I link someone to a Google review page?

Use your Business Profile dashboard to generate a direct “Leave a Review” link.

How does local SEO increase profits?

Visibility brings more leads, which means more calls, more forms filled out, and more revenue.

Can I use Google Business without a website?

Yes, but having a website increases your credibility and ranking potential.

FAQs about J Melo Media

What services does J Melo Media offer?

SEO, web design, SEM, content creation, review strategies, PPC ads management and more.

Can you help with both local SEO and paid ads?

Yes. We manage both organic and paid search campaigns.

Do you work with service businesses and professional firms?

Yes. We regularly work with landscaping companies, home service companies, and accounting firms.

Do you handle review management?

Yes. We build review systems that are simple, ethical, and highly effective.

Contact us!

Strong SEO starts with a strong review system. If you want your Google Business Profile fully optimized, your reviews consistent, and your website built to convert, click here to book your free strategy call or email us at Jorge@jmelomedia.com.

We offer free strategy calls for businesses ready to grow.

Sources

Website Builder Expert. “Reviews vs SEO: How Google Reviews Influence Your SEO.” Website Builder Expert, 2025.

Birdeye. “How Google Reviews Help Search Rankings and SEO.” Birdeye, 2025.

Google Support Community. “Do reviews help improve what spot I am on Google?” Google Support, 2023.

MARA Solutions. “How Ratings and Reviews Impact Search: A Comprehensive Guide for SEO.” MARA Solutions, 2025.

NORTH Agency. “Do Google Reviews Help with SEO?” NORTH, 2024.