47%
of consumers say they will not use a business with fewer than 20 reviews.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 2026Research reference
Online review statistics for 2026.
Eight sourced numbers on what customers look for, when they leave feedback, and how reviews shape buying decisions.
Last updated October 7, 2026. Sources are linked with every statistic.
The numbers
What customers expect from reviews
Use the links below to check the original research before quoting a statistic.
74%
of consumers look for reviews written within the last three months.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 202668%
of consumers say they will only use a business with four or more stars.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 202685%
of consumers say positive reviews make them more likely to use a business.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 202654%
of consumers visit a business website after reading positive reviews.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 202683%
of people who were asked to leave a review say they did so.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 202645%
of consumers left a Google review in the previous year, making it the most popular site for writing business reviews in the survey.
Source: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 2026270%
higher purchase likelihood was observed for products with five reviews compared with products that displayed none in a high-end gift retailer study.
Source: Northwestern University Spiegel Research Center, 2017A useful reality check
Reviews open the door. The next step still needs to be easy.
In BrightLocal’s 2026 survey, 54% of consumers said they visit a business website after reading positive reviews. That makes the handoff important: customers should quickly find a clear offer, accurate details, and an easy way to act.
For an in-person business, a simple tap can also make the review request easier to complete while the good experience is still fresh. See High5Card review tools.
Methodology and sources
Where these figures come from
This page brings together published research and official guidance. Consumer survey findings reflect the respondents and dates stated by the original publishers, rather than every customer or business everywhere.
- BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026
Representative panel of 1,002 U.S. adults via SurveyMonkey. Most statistics on this page are drawn from this consumer survey.
- Northwestern University Spiegel Research Center, How Online Reviews Influence Sales
Research report published in 2017, including results from a high-end gift retailer study.
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule
Federal guidance on the rule that took effect October 21, 2024.
Cite this page
High5Card. “Online Review Statistics 2026.” Updated October 7, 2026. https://high5card.com/review-statistics
This is an informational reference page, not legal advice. For the rules that apply to review requests and testimonials, review the FTC guidance and the policies of the platform you use.