Do Facebook and Yelp reviews matter, or only Google?
Google reviews usually matter most for a local business, because they sit right on your profile in Search and Maps and Google says they can help local ranking. Other sites still count: customers read Facebook, Yelp and industry sites, and AI tools draw on them. Send most requests to Google, keep other profiles accurate, and reply everywhere.
The short version
- Google is the first place to send review requests for most local businesses.
- Facebook, Yelp and industry sites still shape what customers and AI tools see.
- Yelp’s rules say businesses should never ask for reviews there.
- Claim each profile, keep your details matching, and reply to reviews everywhere.
- Never buy reviews or reward people for good ones, and don’t offer any reward for Google reviews.
Which review sites should I pay attention to?
| Site | Why it matters | Can you ask for reviews? |
|---|---|---|
| Shows on your profile in Search and Maps | Yes, ask every customer the same way | |
| Many locals check a page before visiting | Yes, within Facebook’s rules | |
| Yelp | Strong in some industries and cities | No, Yelp says never ask |
| Industry sites | Trusted in healthcare, home services, weddings, travel | Check each site’s rules |
| Better Business Bureau | Some people check it before bigger purchases | Check its rules |
A simple routine:
- Ask every customer for a Google review, the same way each time, not only the happy ones. Our guide to getting more Google reviews shows how to get your link.
- Claim your other key profiles and make your name, address, phone and hours match. See why your details should match.
- Reply to reviews on every site, good and bad.
- Check each site once a month for anything new.
Why does it matter?
Google reviews show before anyone reaches your website. Google’s local ranking page says “more reviews and positive ratings can help your business’s local ranking.”
Other sites matter for a different reason. A customer comparing two contractors might check Facebook or an industry site too. And AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity draw on many sources across the web. Consistent, recent reviews in a few trusted places give them more to go on. See how to show up in AI answers.
What are the common mistakes?
- Asking for Yelp reviews. Yelp’s content guidelines say “Businesses should never ask customers to write reviews.”
- Offering rewards. The FTC’s rule on fake reviews bans buying reviews and incentives tied to a positive or negative sentiment; the FTC’s questions and answers on the rule explain that sentiment-neutral incentives aren’t banned by the rule itself. Google bans incentives for reviews of any kind.
- Giving customers three links at once. Most will pick none.
- Ignoring a site you dislike. Customers still read it.
- Letting staff review the business. That’s a conflict of interest on Google, and the FTC rule covers undisclosed insider reviews.
What if a site shows a bad or fake review?
Reply calmly and briefly, then take the conversation offline. Report a review only if it breaks that site’s rules. For Google, our guide on replying to reviews covers bad reviews and how to report fake ones.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
Claiming profiles on Google, Facebook and Yelp is free. Setting them up takes an hour or two each. A review habit takes a few minutes a day once it’s part of finishing each job.
How does E-3 handle this?
Reviews are part of our SEO and AI search service. Make a direct Google review link now with the free review link and QR maker.
Related questions
Common questions
- Should I ask customers to review me on several sites?
- Give one clear ask, usually Google. Several choices at once tend to mean no review at all.
- Can I ask customers for Yelp reviews?
- Yelp's content guidelines say businesses should never ask customers to write reviews. Keep your Yelp page accurate and reply well, and let reviews come on their own.
- Is it legal to pay for reviews?
- Not for fake or positive-only reviews. The FTC's rule bans fake reviews and rewards tied to a particular sentiment, though it doesn't ban every incentive. Google is stricter: it bans any incentive for reviews on your profile, so don't offer one there.
Rather talk it through?
Call our team, or send a note and we’ll reply within one business day. No pressure and no jargon.