How Facebook Reviews Help Businesses

For years, we've been told that to increase local leads and online visibility, we need an abundance of Google and Yelp reviews to achieve that coveted page 1 ranking and have leads pour in. Unfortunately, this is an incomplete view of Local SEO, reputation management, and local lead generation. 

While Google and Bing are the world's two most significant search engines, Facebook is quickly becoming a vital marketing asset to home improvement companies. When you link your Facebook account to your Google business profile and mark it public, you give Google the ability to use your information (descriptions, addresses, and, yes, reviews) in its billion-dollar ranking algorithm.

Topics Covered in this Article

1. What are Facebook Reviews?
2. What Most Local SEO Agencies miss 
3. How Do Facebook Reviews Differ from Other Reviews?
4. Why do Facebook reviews matter?
5. How Facebook Reviews Impact Local Maps Rankings?
6. How do Facebook reviews help generate leads?
7. How to get more Facebook reviews?
8. How do you handle negative Facebook reviews?
9. How quickly do I respond to Facebook reviews?

What Are Facebook Reviews?

Facebook reviews allow customers to share their experiences with your business on your Facebook Business Page. Customers can rate your business with a star rating (1 to 5) and leave a comment. These reviews are public, so anyone visiting your page can see what people say about you.

Most Agencies don't understand Facebook

Most marketing agencies will tell you that linking profiles and being active on social media doesn't improve your Google Maps or Bing Maps rankings. They're wrong. 

Quick Reminder on How Local SEO Rankings Works

The first step in local SEO optimization is “NAP,” which stands for name, address, and phone number. In simple terms, NAP means that every public profile you have online has the same information as your Google and/or Bing profiles. This uniformity drives local listings and citations and enables massive growth in online visibility for local customers looking for your specific service within and around their area. 

Do Facebook reviews grow your Google Maps rankings? 

Facebook reviews do not directly grow your Google Maps rankings, but they help drive traffic to your Business Profile and Google Maps profile, which leads to people spending time on your profile. This time spent on your profile is a boost. If they call you, that’s an additional boost. If they then leave a Google Review, it’s a considerable boost. Think of Facebook Reviews as a ripple effect that leads to gaining more local customers, more Google reviews, and higher Map rankings. 

Are Google Reviews Still more important than Facebook Reviews? 

Yes, 100%! Google Reviews are among the most important ranking factors in Google Maps rankings. This article, however, focuses on how Facebook reviews help your business grow. If you’re interested in learning more about Google Reviews, click on these articles too:

• 5 Ways to Get More Google Reviews
• Missing Google Reviews
• How to Respond to Negative Reviews

Why Facebook Reviews Matter

Facebook reviews aren’t just for show; they can directly impact your business in three main ways:

• Boosting credibility: A high star rating and positive reviews show potential customers your business is trustworthy.
• Improving search rankings: Facebook reviews influence your visibility on both Facebook and local search engines.
• Driving leads: Positive reviews encourage people to choose your business over competitors. 

Facebook Reviews and Google Maps

Your local maps rankings (like Google Maps and Apple Maps) depend on how visible and credible your business is online. Here’s how Facebook reviews help:

• Social proof: Search engines like Google consider Facebook reviews as a form of social proof. If people are leaving positive reviews, it signals that your business is popular and trustworthy. Getting people interested from Facebook reviews then clicking to your Google Profile and Website increase your rankings, albeit small, they do have an indirect impact.
• Consistent activity: Regularly getting reviews shows that your business is active and engaging with customers. This helps keep your business relevant in local search rankings.
• Keyword mentions: When customers mention specific services (e.g., “excellent roofing repair” or “fast gutter cleaning”) in their reviews, it helps associate your business with those keywords, improving your chances of ranking for them.
  

How to Get More Facebook Reviews

By now, you’ve realized that Facebook reviews are like the secret sauce in your local SEO strategy—a little effort goes a long way. But how do you rack up those gold-star reviews without coming across as too pushy or desperate? Here’s how:

1. Ask, but Don’t Beg

Think of this as the business version of “Shoot your shot.” After completing a project, simply ask your happy customers to leave a review. No need to overcomplicate it—just follow up with an email or text and include a direct link to your Facebook page. Bonus points if you say something like, “Your kind words make our day and help us out, too!”

2. Make It Easy—Even Grandma Shouldn’t Struggle

Provide clear instructions or even better, a QR code. Let’s face it, QR codes are like magic—just point, click, and voilà! Customers land right where you want them: on your review page. If it’s not easy, they won’t do it—period.

3. Respond to Every Review Like a Pro

People like to know their feedback isn’t just floating in the void. Thank the positive reviewers like they just handed you an Oscar, and address negative reviews with a level head. It’s your chance to show you’re not just in business; you mean business.

4. Sweeten the Deal

No, you can’t bribe them, but you can offer small incentives like a discount on their next service for leaving an honest review. Just don’t phrase it like a quid pro quo; make it more, “We love feedback, and here’s a little thank-you for taking the time!”

5. Use Signs That Say, ‘We Love Reviews’

Literally. Add a sign to your office, website, or even your invoices. Something simple like, “Enjoyed our service? Share the love on Facebook!” It’s subtle, and trust us—it works.

Everyone Has Facebook...?

Not everyone has a Google or Yelp account (shocking, we know). Facebook, however? That’s their playground. Direct these customers to leave a review there. It’s easy, familiar, and keeps you compliant with everyone’s rules.

Here’s the genius part: You can circle back 1–6 months later with a friendly follow-up, asking if they’d consider leaving a Google review too. By then, they’re hopefully raving about how amazing you are anyway.

Using Facebook Reviews to Reel in More Customers

Now that you’re gathering reviews like a pro, put them to work:

• Post Screenshots: Sprinkle them on your Facebook page, website, and even emails like digital confetti.
• Turn Them Into Ads: Glowing reviews make fantastic testimonials for ads. Who better to market you than your satisfied customers?
• Highlight Your Star Rating: Add it to your email signature, brochures, and business cards. It’s like a badge of honor you can’t wait to show off.

How to Handle Negative Facebook Reviews

Negative reviews happen. But you can flip the script by handling them like a true professional:

• Stay Calm: Resist the urge to type furiously in all caps.
• Respond Quickly: Acknowledge the issue and apologize if necessary. Offer to take the conversation offline—it shows class.
• Learn from It: Sometimes, negative feedback is a blessing in disguise. Use it to refine your services.
• Bury It With Positivity: A few bad reviews don’t matter when you’ve got a tidal wave of glowing ones. Keep collecting those positives!

Timing Is Everything: How Quickly Should You Respond?

Speed matters. Think of it like this: A fast response to a positive review is like giving someone a high-five before the moment passes. Responding quickly to a negative review? That’s damage control at its finest.

• Positive Reviews: A quick “thank you” goes a long way in turning happy customers into loyal ones.
• Negative Reviews: Addressing concerns promptly shows you care and can turn a bad experience into a redemption story.

How We Help with Facebook Reviews

Here’s the straight-up truth: Facebook reviews won’t shoot you to the top of Google Maps overnight. But over time? Oh, they’re a game-changer. Facebook is becoming a mini search engine in its own right, and your reviews there can lead to direct messages, website visits, and even more Google reviews.

At Talents Into Profits (TIP), we know social media alone won’t make your phone blow up with leads. But staying active on platforms like Facebook is essential for long-term growth. That’s why we include social media management in our marketing packages. We even bug—er, politely remind—our clients to send us fresh photos and videos regularly.

Because in the end, the more platforms you dominate, the harder it is for competitors to keep up.