Is It Worth Getting Reviews on Your Facebook Business Page?

If you’ve been running a local business for a while, chances are you’ve already asked yourself:  Do Facebook reviews really matter?  After all, most people know that Google reviews carry weight when it comes to local search rankings and map visibility. But what about those little “yes/no” recommendations that pop up on your Facebook business page,  are they worth the effort?

The short answer: yes. Facebook reviews (now called recommendations) may not directly move the SEO dial like Google does, but they play a surprisingly powerful role in shaping trust, spreading word of mouth, and capturing feedback from clients who might otherwise remain silent. Let’s unpack how they work, why they matter, and how to weave them into a smart review strategy.

Once upon a time, Facebook offered the familiar five-star review system. Users could tap a star rating, write a comment if they wished, and voilà, another rating added to your average. But in recent years, Facebook simplified things. The platform now asks one straightforward question:

“Do you recommend this business?”

Users choose “Yes” or “No,” and then have the option to add a written comment, upload photos, and select tags such as friendly staff, fast service, or great value.

From Facebook’s perspective, this change lowers the barrier to leaving feedback. Fewer decisions, quicker engagement. And from a business perspective, it can actually work in your favour:

• Simplicity breeds action. Clients no longer need to agonise over whether your service was a three, four, or five... they just decide if they’d recommend you. This means more people are likely to leave feedback.
• Context is richer. Comments, photos, and tags provide the “story” behind the recommendation, which is often far more persuasive than a bare star rating.
• Social spread. Recommendations can appear in the feeds of the reviewer’s friends. That kind of peer-to-peer visibility is modern word-of-mouth marketing at its best.

Of course, the system isn’t perfect. A binary “yes/no” can feel blunt, and a “no” recommendation may carry more visual weight than an old-fashioned three-star review. But remember: what matters most isn’t the occasional “no”, it’s how you respond. A thoughtful, empathetic reply shows you care and can actually enhance your reputation.

The biggest reason is simple: not everyone has a Google account. That means if you only ask for Google reviews, you risk losing valuable voices. Facebook gives those clients an easy alternative.

Secondly, many local clients still look up businesses on Facebook, particularly in community-minded sectors like healthcare, veterinary care, fitness, and trades. Seeing positive recommendations there helps reassure them they’re making the right choice.

Thirdly, recommendations on Facebook can play a subtle supporting role in SEO. While they don’t directly push you up Google’s rankings, they contribute to your overall online footprint, boost brand credibility, and influence user behaviour, which can indirectly help.

Let’s be clear: if you want more visibility in search and on Google Maps, Google reviews are still king. They’re the most influential reviews for local SEO. Google’s algorithm looks at not only the number of reviews but also recency, sentiment, and keywords in the text.

So, if you’re deciding where to focus your review-gathering energy, start with Google. Here are a few top tips to make the process easier:

• Ask, and ask genuinely. Most people like helping people they like. If a client has had a good experience, simply say: “Would you mind leaving us a Google review? It really helps us.”
• Always have a QR code ready. Whether it’s on a plaque at reception, a printed card, or your invoice, make sure clients can scan and go straight to your review link.
• Strike while the iron is hot. The best time to ask is immediately after a positive interaction, when the client is smiling and grateful.
• Make it part of your process.If every staff member knows to ask, the results compound quickly.

A local business with dozens of recent Google reviews looks much more trustworthy than one with a trickle from years ago. 

Here’s where it gets really clever. Alongside your QR codes for Google and Facebook reviews, consider adding a third option: a feedback form on your website.

Why? Because it serves two valuable purposes:

1. It captures the negatives constructively. Some clients may have a gripe they want to share, but don’t want to broadcast it publicly. A private feedback form gives them a safe place to vent, and gives you the chance to address issues directly before they spill into the public domain.
2. It gives you insight. The detail you capture in private feedback often reveals patterns you can fix, long waits, confusing processes, or communication gaps. 

There’s also a subtle psychological trick here. When you present three options, research shows people feel more empowered to choose. The “feedback form” channel attracts those who are less inclined to give glowing praise, while your happy clients will naturally gravitate towards Google or Facebook.

And here’s a pro tip: if you print your plaque or posters with the three QR codes, make the feedback form option in red. Colour psychology tells us red grabs attention and signals importance, which nudges people with a problem to choose that channel instead of venting on Google.

So, is it worth getting reviews on Facebook? Absolutely. While Google reviews remain your number one priority for local SEO, Facebook recommendations are a valuable secondary stream, particularly for clients without Google accounts and for building word-of-mouth through local networks.

By adding a third option, a simple feedback form, you cover all bases:

• Google reviews boost your search visibility.
• Facebook recommendations capture clients who live on social media and spread trust through their networks.
• Website feedback forms give you a private channel to hear the negatives and improve your service.

Think of it like building a tripod: each leg supports the other, and together they make your reputation strategy far more stable than relying on one platform alone 

The businesses that thrive online aren’t always the ones with the biggest ad budgets; they’re the ones that collect and showcase trust consistently. Reviews, recommendations, and feedback are today’s word of mouth.

So, set yourself up with three QR codes, ask with confidence and warmth, and remember: people like helping people they like. If you deliver good service (and I’m betting you do), the reviews will follow.

Don’t leave your online presence to chance. Make it easy for clients to share their experience with you, whether it’s on Google, Facebook, or through a private feedback form. Start building trust, boosting visibility, and turning happy clients into your best promoters today.

Talk to your Bloomtools Consultant today about setting up a review strategy that works for your business.