Why does review recency matter more than total review count?

AI systems and Google prioritize fresh signals. A business with 500 reviews but none in the last 3 months looks inactive. A business with 50 reviews but 3 new ones this week looks active and trustworthy. Recency signals that you are still in business and delivering good service.

What is review velocity?

Review velocity is the rate at which you receive new reviews over time. Getting 2-3 reviews every week is better for rankings than getting 20 reviews in one month and then nothing for several months. Consistent velocity signals ongoing customer satisfaction.

How do I ask customers for reviews without being pushy?

Ask right after you solve the problem when satisfaction is highest. Train your team to say something like: I am glad we got that fixed for you. Would you mind scanning this QR code to let us know how we did? Make it easy with a direct link or QR code to your Google review page.

Do I need to respond to every review?

Yes. Responding to reviews signals engagement to Google and provides additional content for AI systems to reference. Keep responses helpful and specific, mentioning the services you provided. This adds keyword-rich content to your profile.

⭐ 2026 LOCAL BUSINESS GUIDE • 2 of 4

Why Your Old Reviews
Aren't Helping Anymore

The shift from review quantity to review recency, and what Orlando businesses need to do about it

Here's a scenario playing out across Orlando right now: A plumbing company with 200 reviews and a 4.8 rating is losing map pack rankings to a competitor with only 50 reviews and a 4.5 rating. The difference? The competitor's reviews are recent. Google now weighs review recency as heavily as quantity, and most businesses haven't caught on yet.

73%

of consumers only trust reviews from the last 30 days

240M

fake reviews removed by Google in 2023

48hr

ideal response time for review replies

The New Review Reality

1 Recency Beats Quantity

A steady stream of 2-4 reviews per week now outperforms a one-time campaign that generated 50 reviews. Google sees consistent review activity as a sign of an active, trustworthy business.

2 AI Reads Review Content

Google's AI doesn't just count stars. It reads review text for service mentions, sentiment, and specificity. Reviews that mention "AC repair" or "emergency plumbing" help you rank for those terms.

🎯 Why This Matters for Me (as a Local Business Owner)

Your hard-earned reviews are aging out. Reviews from 2022-2023 carry less weight every month. Without fresh reviews, your ranking power is slowly eroding.
Customers are skeptical of old reviews. When someone sees your last review was 6 months ago, they wonder if you're still in business or if something changed.
Your competitors with fewer reviews might be winning. If they have a system generating 3-4 reviews weekly, they're building momentum while you coast on past success.
Review gating is now illegal. The FTC banned the practice of only asking happy customers for reviews. You need authentic feedback from everyone.
Your responses matter as much as the reviews. Google and potential customers both read your responses. They're content that helps you rank and builds trust.

⚠️ The FTC's New Review Rules (August 2024)

The FTC now prohibits "review gating" (filtering who you ask for reviews based on sentiment), fake reviews, and suppressing negative reviews. Penalties can reach $50,000+ per violation. Your review strategy must be authentic and compliant.

What Makes a High-Value Review?

Element	Low-Value Review	High-Value Review
Content	"Great service!"	"John fixed our AC the same day we called. Professional, explained the issue, fair price."
Keywords	None	Mentions specific services (AC repair, emergency, etc.)
Timing	6+ months old	Within the last 30 days
Response	No business response	Personalized response within 48 hours
Photos	None	Customer-uploaded photos of completed work

✅ Your Review System Checklist

Create a simple ask process. Train your team to ask every customer: "Would you mind sharing your experience on Google?" Make it part of job completion.

Send a follow-up text or email. Within 24 hours of service, send a direct link to your Google review page. Make it one-tap easy.

Respond to every review within 48 hours. Thank positive reviewers by name. Address concerns in negative reviews professionally. Both build trust.

Coach customers on helpful content. "If you mention the service we provided, it really helps others find us." Don't script reviews, just guide.

Monitor your review velocity weekly. Track how many reviews you're getting per week. Aim for 2-4 minimum for local service businesses.

Never offer incentives for reviews. It violates Google's terms and FTC rules. The ask alone is enough if your service is good.

🚀 Your 30-Day Review Velocity Plan

Week 1: Create your review link and train your team on when and how to ask for reviews.

Week 2: Set up automated follow-up texts or emails sent 24 hours after service completion.

Week 3: Respond to all existing reviews you haven't replied to. Set up daily review monitoring.

Week 4: Review your velocity metrics. Adjust your ask process based on what's working.

"The businesses winning the review game in 2026 aren't the ones with the most reviews. They're the ones with the most recent reviews. A competitor with half your total reviews but twice your weekly velocity will eventually outrank you."

Want help building a review system that works?

We'll analyze your current review profile and show you exactly where you stand against local competitors.

Why Your Old ReviewsAren't Helping Anymore