Automations & AI
Review velocity matters more than review count.
Google reads the rate, not just the total.
Two businesses, same total
Both have 80 reviews. Which one ranks higher?
Business A
80 reviews, all from 2021–2022. None in the last year. Average 4.7 stars.
Business B
80 reviews. Forty of them in the last 6 months. Average 4.7 stars.
Why Google rewards velocity
Recent reviews prove you’re still in business and still good.
Stars from 3 years ago don’t prove anything about today. A steady drip of recent reviews tells Google this business is operating, getting customers, and earning their feedback. That’s the signal that lifts rankings.
The velocity targets
What “healthy” looks like.
- 01
Small operations
2–4 new reviews per month. Keeps the profile alive in Google’s eyes.
- 02
Mid-size
8–15 per month. Outpaces most competitors in any local market.
- 03
Top of the map pack
20+ per month. The kind of velocity that puts you ahead and keeps you there.
- 04
Never zero
A profile with no new reviews for 90 days starts slipping. Always.
The takeaway
Stop counting total reviews. Start counting this month’s.
Velocity is the only number Google cares about right now.