Free calculator
Google reviews gap calculator for local practices
This calculator shows how far your practice is behind the top competitor on Google reviews, how long it will take to catch up at your current pace, how many reviews a month you need to catch up by a date you choose and how many 5-star reviews it takes to lift your rating. With the example values below, closing a 155-review gap in 12 months takes about 16 new reviews a month.
- Reviews and rating together
- Nothing is saved or sent
- Last checked October 17, 2026
What you will need
- Your review count and ratingGoogle
- Top competitor countGoogle Maps
- Your monthly paceLast 3 months
- Your deadlineMonths
- Target rating1 to 5
Calculator
Enter your numbers and a competitor’s
What each input means
Where to find each number
Search your main service plus "near me" and pick the practice that appears first in the map results.
| Input | What it means | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Your Google reviews | Total reviews on your Business Profile | Your profile on Google Maps |
| Your current rating | Average star rating | Your profile on Google Maps |
| Top competitor reviews | Total reviews of the practice you want to match | Their profile on Google Maps |
| Your monthly pace | Average new reviews per month | Reviews from the last 3 months divided by 3 |
| Competitor monthly pace | Their average new reviews per month | Count their reviews from the last 3 months, divided by 3 |
| Months to catch up | Your deadline | Your choice |
| Target rating | The average rating you want | Your choice, below 5.0 |
How it works
The method
Every figure comes from your own inputs. Formula last checked October 17, 2026.
1. Review gap
Review gap = competitor reviews − your reviews.
2. Time at current pace
Months to catch up = review gap ÷ (your monthly pace − competitor monthly pace). If your pace is not higher than theirs, you will not catch up at current pace.
3. Reviews per month needed
Reviews needed per month = review gap ÷ months to catch up + competitor monthly pace, rounded up.
4. 5-star reviews for a target rating
5-star reviews needed = your reviews × (target rating − current rating) ÷ (5 − target rating), rounded up. This assumes every new review is 5 stars, so the real number is usually higher.
Worked example
One example, calculated in full
Example values only, not benchmarks.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Review gap | 240 − 85 | 155 reviews |
| Time at current pace | 155 ÷ (4 − 3) | 155 months |
| Reviews per month for 12 months | 155 ÷ 12 + 3 = 15.9 | 16 a month |
| 5-star reviews for 4.8 | 85 × (4.8 − 4.7) ÷ (5 − 4.8) = 42.5 | 43 reviews |
Common answers
Reviews per month needed to catch up in 12 months
Assumes the competitor keeps adding 3 reviews a month.
| Review gap | Reviews needed per month |
|---|---|
| 50 | 8 |
| 100 | 12 |
| 200 | 20 |
| 400 | 37 |
Limits
When this estimate does not apply
Treat the result as an estimate, not a forecast.
Not covered
- Reviews on Yelp, Facebook or directories
- How Google weighs review content and recency
- Reviews Google filters or removes
Less reliable when
- The competitor's pace changes sharply
- Your profile is new or recently merged
- Ratings are close to 5.0
Get advice instead when
- A review was removed and you want to appeal
- You are considering review software
- A reply might reveal patient information
Who made and checked it
Built and checked by SEO Engine Boost
This tool was built by SEO Engine Boost and its method was checked by Dr. Mahmoud Elsheikh, a dentist completing a Master of Science in Dentistry in Orthodontics and an SEO consultant with more than five years of experience.
Last checked: October 17, 2026. Changes: first version.
FAQ
Google reviews gap calculator FAQ
How does the reviews gap calculator work?
It compares your review count with your top local competitor, then uses both practices’ monthly review pace to estimate how long catching up would take, how many reviews a month you would need to close the gap in your chosen time, and how many 5-star reviews would lift your rating to the target.
Do more reviews improve local rankings?
Google says reviews and ratings are part of how prominence is judged in local results, alongside relevance and distance, but it does not publish a formula. Reviews also help patients choose between practices.
Is it allowed to offer something in exchange for reviews?
No. Google’s policies prohibit incentivised reviews, and the FTC rule announced in August 2024 bans fake reviews and suppressing negative ones. Ask every patient the same way, without rewards.
How should we reply to reviews?
Reply politely without confirming that the reviewer is a patient or mentioning treatment details. Our free review reply generator gives privacy-conscious starting points.
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Score your map listing and see what to fix first
Want help acting on the numbers? See our reputation management service, browse all free tools, or get a free growth audit.
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Close the review gap the right way
We set up a compliant review routine and privacy-safe replies for your practice. Questions first? Email info@seoengineboost.com.
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