Google Isn't the Only Review Site That Matters
Yes, Google reviews are king. But smart businesses diversify their review presence.
Think of it like investing. You don't put everything in one stock. Diversifying your reviews is just as important as diversifying your citation sources.
The Platforms That Move the Needle
Yelp. Still massive for restaurants, home services, and health/beauty. Yelp reviews often appear in Google search results too.
Facebook. 2 billion monthly active users. Many consumers check Facebook reviews before visiting a local business.
Industry-specific platforms. Avvo for lawyers. Healthgrades for doctors. Houzz for contractors. TripAdvisor for hospitality. These carry enormous weight in their verticals — our guide to industry-specific citations maps out every vertical.
Better Business Bureau. An A+ BBB rating still matters to a surprisingly large number of consumers.
Apple Maps. With iOS market share growing, Apple Maps reviews are becoming increasingly important.
How to Prioritize
Google first. Always.
Then pick 2-3 platforms that are most relevant to your industry. Don't try to dominate all of them — that's a recipe for burnout.
Anyhoo.
The goal is a consistent, positive presence across the platforms your customers actually use.
The Smart Play
Send most customers to Google. But when someone says "I don't have a Google account," send them to Yelp or Facebook instead. Never waste a willing reviewer. The Whitespark citation finder can help you identify which platforms matter most in your industry.
Track your multi-platform review strategy as part of your 113-task checklist at SEO Checkup. Free. No credit card. 30 seconds.