Is 50 reviews enough? Do you need 500? We break down the data on how many reviews it takes to dominate local search in your industry.

"How many reviews do I need?" It's one of the most common questions we get. The answer depends on your market, your industry, and your competition—but here's a framework to figure it out.

The Minimum Viable Review Count

Research shows that customers generally want to see at least 10-20 reviews before they trust a business. Below that threshold, you simply don't have enough social proof.

But 10-20 reviews is the bare minimum—it won't help you stand out or rank well. It's just enough to not look suspicious.

The Competitive Benchmark

Here's the real question: how many reviews do the top businesses in your market have?

Search for your service in your area. Look at the top 3 results in the Google Map Pack. Count their reviews. That's your competitive benchmark.

  1. Search: "[your service] in [your city]" on Google

  2. Note: The review counts of the top 3 local results

  3. Calculate: The average of those three numbers

  4. Target: That's your goal—at minimum

Industry Benchmarks

While every market is different, here are typical review counts for top-performing local service businesses:

  • HVAC: 200-500+ reviews

  • Plumbing: 150-400+ reviews

  • Lawn Care: 100-300+ reviews

  • Junk Removal: 200-600+ reviews

  • Pressure Washing: 100-250+ reviews

  • Carpet Cleaning: 150-350+ reviews

If you're below these numbers, you're likely losing business to competitors who have invested in review collection.

Quality vs. Quantity

Review count matters, but so does quality. Google and customers both look at:

  • Average rating: Aim for 4.5+ stars

  • Review recency: Recent reviews matter more than old ones

  • Review content: Detailed reviews carry more weight

  • Response rate: Businesses that respond to reviews rank better

The Magic Number: More Than Your Competitors

The business with the most reviews (assuming similar ratings) typically wins the lion's share of clicks.

If the top business in your market has 200 reviews, your goal should be 300. If they have 500, aim for 700.

How to Get There

If the gap between where you are and where you need to be seems daunting, remember: it's a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on:

  1. Ask every customer: Never miss an opportunity for a review

  2. Run reactivation campaigns: Reach out to past customers who haven't reviewed

  3. Stay consistent: Aim for 20-30+ new reviews per month

  4. Automate the process: So you never miss an ask

With the right system, you can close the review gap faster than you think. Review Monster helps businesses add hundreds of reviews within months—not years.