What is Review Response Time?
How quickly a business replies to customer reviews after they're posted.
Review response time measures the lag between when a customer posts a review and when the business responds. Industry benchmarks suggest responding within 24 hours for negative reviews and 48 hours for positive ones. Google has confirmed that response time and rate are signals in their local ranking algorithm. Fast responses also signal to potential customers reading reviews that the business is attentive and engaged.
Why Review Response Time Matters for Local Businesses
A negative review with no response for 2 weeks tells every reader that the business doesn't care. A response within hours shows attentiveness and professionalism. Studies show 53% of customers expect a response within 7 days, and 1 in 3 expect a response within 3 days or less. Speed matters for both SEO and customer perception.
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