Do Google reviews help SEO? If you own a dental clinic, you’ve probably heard they do—but how exactly? More importantly, how can you use them to get more local patients choosing your clinic over competitors?
The truth is that Google reviews help SEO, but it’s not just about collecting reviews. It’s about getting the right kind of reviews and maintaining a steady flow of them to strengthen your clinic’s online presence.
When done well, positive reviews, steady review volume, and regular feedback can improve your local search rankings. This will make it easier for patients to find and trust you.
In this guide, we’ll break it all down—why Google reviews matter, how they impact your business’s local ranking, and what steps you can take to turn them into more booked appointments.
Let’s dive in!
How Do Google Reviews Help SEO?
How Do Google Reviews Help SEO?Google uses reviews to see if your clinic is trusted, active, and relevant to people searching for dental services. The more high-quality reviews you have, the stronger your business profile looks to Google.
Here’s how Google reviews impact your local search rankings:
They Improve Local Search Rankings
Google looks at how many online reviews you have, how often you get them (review volume), and how positive they are (review quality). Clinics with more high-quality reviews often rank higher in local search results.
They Increase Time Spent On Your Website
If a patient reads great things about your clinic in Google reviews, they’re more likely to explore your website and learn about your services. This tells Google that your site is useful and can help improve your search rankings.
They Increase Credibility
When potential patients see positive reviews, they feel more confident choosing your clinic. A strong online reputation makes your business more appealing and trustworthy.
They Enhance Click-Through Rates (CTR)
When your clinic has more positive Google reviews, people are more likely to click on your website. This brings in more organic traffic, which can help improve your SEO ranking.
They Provide Fresh, Relevant Content
Many Google reviews include keywords related to dental care, like “teeth whitening” or “family dentist.” These keywords help with search engine optimisation (SEO) and make your clinic more visible in local search queries.
In the end, Google reviews help SEO by making your clinic more visible, improving your local search rankings, and building trust with potential patients. The more quality reviews your clinic has, the easier it is for new patients to find and choose you.
How Many Google Reviews Do You Need?
There’s no magic number, but the key is consistency. Google favours clinics that receive a steady stream of reviews over time. This shows that your business is active, relevant, and engaged with the community.
While you can’t ask patients to leave reviews, creating a positive experience will encourage them to share their thoughts naturally. Patients who feel valued are more likely to engage online, helping your clinic build credibility and trust.
A clinic with more high-quality reviews is often seen as more reliable, which can improve its business’s local ranking and make it easier for new patients to find you.
Google Reviews And The Local Pack
Ever noticed that when you search for a local business, Google shows a map with three top listings at the top of the results? That’s called the Local Pack, and it’s one of the most valuable spots for any dental clinic to appear.
Google chooses which businesses show up based on several factors, including Google reviews. Clinics with more reviews are more likely to appear in the Local Pack, making them highly visible to potential patients.
If you want your clinic to rank higher, focusing on Google reviews is a must. They help boost your local search rankings, improve your business listing visibility, and bring more patients through your doors.
Negative Reviews And Their Impact On SEO
As a dental clinic owner, you might worry about getting negative reviews. After all, you work hard to provide excellent care, and a bad review can feel discouraging.
But here’s the good news—negative reviews don’t necessarily hurt your local rankings. In fact, they can even help your clinic appear more trustworthy if handled correctly.
Do Negative Reviews Hurt Local Rankings?
Not necessarily! Google knows that no business is perfect. A clinic with only five-star reviews might actually seem suspicious to both Google and potential patients. A mix of positive reviews and negative feedback can make your clinic look authentic and transparent.
Yet, if your clinic receives too many negative reviews without enough high-quality reviews to balance them out, it could lower your local search rankings. That’s why having a steady flow of genuine reviews is important for your SEO strategy.
How To Handle Negative Reviews
Negative feedback doesn’t have to be a bad thing. How you handle it can actually improve your clinic’s reputation and show potential patients that you care about their experience.
Here’s how to manage negative reviews effectively:
- Provide Exceptional Service Upfront: The best way to handle negative reviews is to prevent them in the first place. Focus on delivering top-quality dental care and a welcoming experience so that most patients leave happy.
- Avoid Fake Reviews: Google penalises businesses that manipulate ratings with fake reviews. This includes both false positive reviews and fake negative reviews posted by competitors. If you suspect a fake review, you can report it to Google.
Remember, a single bad review won’t ruin your SEO ranking. Yet, a strong collection of high-quality reviews will boost your clinic’s visibility and help attract more patients over time.
Setting Up Your Google Business Profile To Get Google Reviews
Before you can collect Google reviews and improve your local search rankings, you need to set up and optimise your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business or GMB).
This is your clinic’s official listing on Google, and it plays a huge role in helping you show up in local search results.
How To Set Up Your Google Business Profile
Setting up Google My Business is easy. Here’s how you can do it:
- Visit Google Business Profile Manager: Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with your Google account.
- Enter Your Clinic’s Information: Add your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and category (dentist).
- Verify Your Business: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your clinic’s address. Enter this code to confirm your listing.
- Complete Your Profile: Add clinic hours, services, and high-quality images of your practice.
Optimising Your Google Business Profile For Local SEO
Once your profile is set up, optimising it will help you rank higher in local search results and Google Maps.
- Use Accurate NAP Information: Your clinic name, address, and phone number should match exactly across all online listings.
- Select The Right Categories: Choose “Dentist” or any other relevant category, depending on your services.
- Write A Detailed Business Description: Include relevant keywords about your dental services while keeping it natural and informative.
- Add High-Quality Photos: Upload professional images of your clinic, team, and treatment areas to make your profile more engaging.
- Enable Messaging: Allow potential patients to ask questions directly from your profile.
- Keep Your Information Updated: If your hours change or you add new services, update your profile immediately.
Why Google Business Profile Matters For Reviews
Once your Google Business Profile is live, patients can leave Google reviews about their experience. Without this profile, they won’t have a place to add reviews.
Setting up and optimising your GMB profile gives your clinic the best chance to rank higher, attract more patients, and build a strong online reputation.
The Connection Between Google Maps, SEO, And Reviews
When patients search for a dental clinic, they often turn to Google Maps. If your clinic has strong SEO and high-quality reviews, you’re more likely to appear at the top of local search results.
How Google Maps Helps SEO
Google Maps plays a big role in local SEO. It helps potential patients find your clinic’s location, read reviews, and visit your website.
If your clinic appears higher in Google Maps search results, you’ll get more visibility and more website traffic.
Here’s how Google Maps and SEO work together:
- Reviews Impact Google Maps Rankings: High-quality Google reviews help boost your ranking on Google Maps. A clinic with more positive reviews is more likely to show up at the top.
- Keywords Help Your Business Get Found: Reviews often include keywords related to dental care. When people search for a dentist near me, Google uses those keywords to decide which clinics to show.
- Local Pack Placement: Clinics with strong optimisation and many positive reviews are more likely to secure a spot here.
By focusing on providing excellent service and maintaining an updated Google Business Profile, you can boost your SEO, improve your Google Maps ranking, and attract more local patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bad Google review?
You can’t delete a review just because it’s negative. But if a review is fake, offensive, or breaks Google’s rules, you can report it to Google to ask for removal.
Do star ratings help with SEO?
Yes! A higher star rating helps build trust and makes more people click on your website. This can improve your SEO. But Google also looks at how many reviews you have, how often you get them, and what they say—not just the rating itself.
Can I give discounts or gifts for Google reviews?
No. Offering discounts, gifts, or rewards to request reviews goes against Google’s rules and AHPRA guidelines. Instead, focus on great patient care, and reviews will happen naturally.
Does replying to Google reviews help SEO?
AHPRA doesn’t allow dentists to reply to patient reviews online. Instead of responding, focus on giving top-quality care so patients feel happy to leave positive reviews.
Do Google reviews help me show up in mobile searches?
Yes! Many people search for dentists on their phones. Google reviews help your clinic appear in mobile search results and bring in more local patients.
Do reviews in different languages help with SEO?
Yes! Google understands reviews in different languages. If your clinic serves people who speak different languages, their reviews can help show Google you are relevant to those communities.
Will more Google reviews make my clinic rank higher?
Not always. Google reviews help SEO, but they are just one part of how Google ranks businesses. To improve your rankings, you need a strong website, correct business details, and good local SEO.
How long does it take for Google reviews to help my SEO?
There’s no exact time, but steady, ongoing reviews help build your Google Business Profile and can improve local rankings over time.
What if I get too many reviews too fast?
If you suddenly get a lot of reviews at once, Google might think they’re fake or suspicious—especially if they come from new accounts or have similar wording. Google might filter them out or lower your ranking. Slow, steady growth is best.
Do Google reviews ever disappear?
Google reviews don’t expire, but they can be removed if they break Google’s rules or if the person who left the review deletes their account. Older reviews may count less, so it’s important to keep getting new ones.
Are Google reviews more important than reviews on other sites?
Yes, because Google reviews have the biggest impact on how your clinic ranks in local searches. However, reviews on sites like Facebook, Yelp, and Healthshare also help build trust with potential patients.
How do Google reviews affect voice search?
When people ask Google Assistant or Siri for a dentist, the results often come from Google Business Profiles. Clinics with good reviews and strong local SEO are more likely to show up in voice search results.
How can I see how my Google reviews help my SEO?
Use tools like Google Business Profile Insights, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console to track how many people find your clinic through search and click on your website.
Can I hide my Google reviews?
No, Google reviews are always public. The best way to handle bad reviews is to focus on great service so you get more positive feedback over time.
Can each of my locations have its own Google Business Profile?
Yes! If your clinic has more than one location, each one should have its own Google Business Profile so it shows up in local searches for that area.
What if a patient leaves a review on the wrong clinic’s page?
You can ask the patient to delete and re-post the review on the correct clinic’s profile. If the review was left by mistake, you can also flag it for Google to check.
Conclusion
So, do Google reviews help SEO? Yes, they do! Google reviews help your clinic show up in local searches, making it easier for new patients to find you. Reviews also help build trust and show Google that your business is active and relevant.
Getting regular, high-quality reviews can make a big difference. While AHPRA doesn’t allow you to respond to reviews, you can still focus on giving great patient care so people feel encouraged to leave positive feedback.
If you want to improve your clinic’s local ranking and online reputation, start making the most of Google reviews.
Keep delivering excellent service, make sure your Google Business Profile is set up correctly, and let happy patients share their experiences. Over time, you’ll see your online presence grow!
Want to see your clinic rank higher on Google and bring in more local patients? Google reviews are a powerful tool—but they work best with the right strategy.
Our Sydney-based team helps dental clinics like yours get seen online and fill more chairs. But here’s the catch—we only work with a few clinics per suburb. Once we’re booked in your area, that’s it!
Secure your spot and start growing your clinic’s online presence. Contact Mediboost today at 1300 163 058 before your competitor does!
Sources
Colman, B. (2024, November 10). Reviews and SEO: How to Get More Clicks and Be #1 on Google. Customer Alliance. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.customer-alliance.com/en/articles/reviews-and-seo/
Replogle, N. (2024, November 18). Google Business Profile optimization: How to get your business on Google. Zapier. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://zapier.com/blog/google-business-profile-optimization/
Samson, I. (2024, November 29). Google Maps SEO in 2025: Rank Higher With These 15 Tips. Fiverr. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.fiverr.com/resources/guides/digital-marketing/google-map-seo
What is Local Pack? (n.d.). Rank Math. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://rankmath.com/seo-glossary/local-pack/
Your Business Profile Questions, Answered. (n.d.). Google Business Profile. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/business/faq/
