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As we move into 2026, one question keeps surfacing for med spas and aesthetic clinics: Is Yelp still relevant, or has Google fully taken over patient decisions? Reviews are no longer “nice to have.” They shape local rankings, influence click-through rates, and convert undecided visitors into booked consults. This guide distills what matters for aesthetics practices in 2026 and how to operationalize a reputation system that supports growth, compliance, and brand trust.
Google is the default discovery layer for local care. When someone searches “Botox near me” or “microneedling in [city]”, your Google Business Profile (GBP) and your review footprint show up at the exact moment intent is highest. And unlike most platforms, Google’s local ranking system explicitly evaluates a business’s prominence alongside relevance and distance, with prominence shaped in part by a business’s overall reputation and signals like reviews. Google’s local ranking guidance explains these pillars and why strong profiles win visibility.
For aesthetics, reviews carry extra weight because decisions are high-consideration. Patients compare clinics, read experiences for cues around safety and bedside manner, and use specifics to reduce perceived risk. Broad consumer research reinforces the point: 98% of consumers read online reviews when evaluating local businesses, and detailed written reviews are a major driver of confidence. BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey consistently shows how central reviews are to conversion behavior.
In 2026, the differentiator is less about having “a lot” of reviews and more about maintaining recency and a steady cadence. Multiple local SEO case studies have observed that review recency can correlate with stronger local rankings, especially in competitive categories where clinics are otherwise similar. See Sterling Sky’s analysis on review recency and ranking behavior here: Does review recency impact ranking?
Bottom line: if you want more calls, consult requests, and direction taps from the Local Pack, Google Reviews remain the most direct lever because they influence both trust and visibility in the place patients start. Yelp can still matter, but Google is where reputation most reliably turns into discovery and bookings.
- Optimize your GBP for conversion: complete categories and services, accurate hours, practitioner highlights (when applicable), and add UTM-tagged links so you can measure calls/forms from GBP traffic. Google’s guidance on improving local ranking emphasizes complete profiles as a foundational driver.
- Encourage descriptive, service-connected reviews: ask for authentic feedback that naturally mentions procedures (e.g., microneedling, dermal fillers), provider experience, and location context (neighborhood/city). Consumer research shows detailed written reviews can materially improve confidence. BrightLocal’s survey
- Protect recency and velocity: build a consistent post-visit workflow so reviews arrive weekly, not in bursts. Review recency has been observed to correlate with stronger local rankings. Sterling Sky
- Respond within 24–48 hours: keep replies HIPAA-safe, empathetic, and helpful. Response quality impacts conversion, and fast replies signal operational excellence to prospects scanning your profile.
Yes—contextually. Yelp’s overall influence on search-driven growth has softened compared to Google because fewer patients want to hop across multiple review sites, and Google reviews are embedded directly in Search and Maps. BrightLocal’s consumer research shows an increasing share of people use only one site when reading reviews before choosing a local business. BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey (2025)
That said, Yelp can still be influential in dense metros and beauty-forward neighborhoods where consumers compare several options. Patients who consult Yelp often scrutinize photo galleries, pricing language, and narrative reviews before calling. Maintain a credible Yelp presence even if your primary review engine is Google.
- Complete every field: categories, services, amenities, parking, and neighborhood landmarks.
- Curate high-resolution treatment photos and staff spotlights to humanize the brand.
- Monitor and reply consistently; avoid solicitation that may trigger Yelp’s review filters. Yelp explicitly advises businesses not to ask for reviews because prompted reviews may be less likely to be recommended. Yelp: “Don’t Ask for Reviews”
A thousand old reviews won’t outperform a steady cadence of recent, detailed feedback. Platforms reward current, specific commentary because it signals ongoing quality. Build daily or weekly prompts into your workflow so review acquisition is continuous, not campaign-based. Review recency has also been observed to correlate with stronger Google local rankings in competitive markets. Sterling Sky
Short five-star notes help, but text with procedure names, recovery expectations, and provider mentions drives stronger relevance. Visuals matter too. Patient-added photos and short videos increase credibility and engagement. Invite authentic detail; never script or gate sentiment. BrightLocal’s consumer research consistently shows written, experience-based reviews increase confidence. BrightLocal
Regulators and platforms continue to crack down on fake, incentivized, or gated reviews. Protect your clinic by adopting a written, training-backed SOP: neutral language, no incentives, no filtering negative feedback, and documented timing after service. For Yelp specifically, avoid direct “please review us on Yelp” asks, as Yelp warns that proactively asking can reduce the likelihood reviews are recommended. Yelp Support
Think portfolio allocation, not platform rivalry. Make Google your core engine and Yelp your secondary trust layer, then reinforce both with on-site testimonials and structured data.
- Google (Primary): Post-visit SMS/email requests, clear review links, robust GBP, and rapid responses.
- Yelp (Secondary): Keep listings fresh, reply to reviews, ensure consistent pricing language and photo quality, avoid direct “please review us on Yelp” asks. Yelp Support
- Website: Embed testimonials on procedure pages with
Review / AggregateRating schema, and attribute quotes ethically.
- Trigger: After a successful appointment or follow-up, send a neutral “share your experience” message.
- Routing: Link to your GBP review form; include an alternative pathway on your site’s testimonials page (avoid Yelp solicitation). Yelp Support
- Tone: Thank patients for their time; do not suggest star ratings or language.
- Response: Acknowledge all reviews. For negatives, thank, apologize if appropriate, and offer offline resolution.
- Measurement: Track review velocity, response time, keyword mentions (e.g., “injector,” “natural results”), and correlation with calls/forms.
- Incentivizing reviews: Risks platform penalties and reputational damage.
- Review gating: Filtering unhappy patients undermines authenticity and violates policies.
- Template responses: Copy-pasted replies feel impersonal; personalize to the procedure and experience.
- Inconsistent NAP: Name, address, phone variations confuse platforms and users; keep them identical everywhere.
Reviews shouldn’t live only on third-party profiles. Pull standout quotes and treatment-specific commentary into your website, landing pages, and ad assets. Use schema to enhance eligibility for rich results. On PPC pages, place a review excerpt near the primary CTA to reinforce credibility at the decisive moment.
For aesthetics in 2026, the smartest move is simple: lead with Google, stay credible on Yelp, and operationalize a compliant review system that runs daily. The clinics that win will capture authentic, detailed reviews, respond with empathy, and weave social proof into every step of the patient journey—from search to schedule.
At Stranded, we design compliant, automated review systems for med spas and aesthetic practices. From Google Business Profile optimization and schema to review routing, dashboards, and training, we turn patient feedback into measurable visibility and bookings.
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Yes—particularly in competitive metros. Treat Yelp as a secondary trust channel: keep the listing current, reply to reviews, and maintain strong visuals without soliciting reviews directly. Yelp Support
They influence local visibility. Recency, volume, and review content help searchers—and Google—assess relevance and quality. Google’s published local ranking guidance describes the core factors and the importance of completeness and prominence. Google Business Profile Help
Use neutral, post-visit messages that simply invite feedback. Avoid incentives, scripts, or gating. Document the process and train staff.
Feature testimonials on procedure pages and your homepage. Add Review / AggregateRating schema and attribute quotes appropriately.