The hospitality industry is one of the most competitive in local search. Hotels and other hospitality businesses that successfully boost their online visibility not only attract more leads, but also build a trustworthy reputation among potential guests, increasing booking rates.
An essential part of any hotel's local SEO strategy involves getting listed on the best hotel review sites and encouraging guests to leave feedback. These reviews help increase visibility and credibility by improving local search rankings, ultimately bringing more business to the door.
Why Do Hotel Review Sites Matter for Local SEO?
Hotel review sites are powerful tools for building online authority and establishing local citations, which are two essential elements of any local SEO strategy.
Reviews are also a direct ranking factor for local search results. This is especially true for Google Business Profile reviews, which directly influence where a hotel appears in Google's local pack.
Not only that, but review sites also tend to show up prominently in organic search results for users seeking hotel recommendations in a specific area.
Many users even bypass search engines altogether, heading straight to their favorite review platforms to explore hotel options based on ratings and guest feedback.
All of these factors make hotel review sites critical for attracting searchers who are ready to book a hotel for their next business trip, vacation, or other excursion.
What Are the Best Hotel Review Sites for Local SEO?
Below is a list of the best hotel review sites that can help boost your hotel's visibility and drive business. Each of these platforms has unique features, benefits, and audiences that can contribute to a well-rounded local SEO strategy.
- Google Business Profile
- Tripadvisor
- Yelp
- Booking.com
- Expedia
- Apple Maps
- Hotels.com
Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is undoubtedly the most essential review site for hotels, as it directly impacts Google Search and Maps rankings.
When optimized correctly, GBP not only helps hotels appear in the coveted local pack, but also ensures potential guests can easily find your location, contact information, and photos of your property.
Google's prominence as a search engine means that Google Business Profiles and reviews are often the first thing users see when they perform a search, making it a top priority for hotels looking to boost local visibility.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is one of the most popular hotel review sites, and its robust user base makes it another essential asset for hospitality businesses.
Listings on Tripadvisor include a wealth of details, from ratings, reviews, and photos, to information on amenities and nearby attractions.
Due to its high authority, Tripadvisor pages frequently rank well in search engine results, which can help drive organic traffic and visibility.
Yelp
Yelp is known for being a go-to review platform for local businesses, including hotels. Although it's more commonly associated with dining and retail, Yelp's hotel section still holds considerable value, particularly in areas where Yelp is highly used.
Additionally, Yelp reviews can appear in search results and map integrations, giving hotels another local SEO boost.
Booking.com
Booking.com is a powerhouse in the travel industry, with millions of users using it to search for accommodations all over the world.
In addition to being one of the best review sites for hotels, this platform also offers price comparisons, photos, and direct bookings, giving potential guests a comprehensive look at what each hotel offers and allowing them to book their stays all from one place.
Getting high ratings and positive feedback on Booking.com can have a strong influence on new bookings and its authority can boost your hotel's visibility.
Expedia
As part of a larger network of travel sites, including Hotels.com, Expedia offers extensive reach and high traffic.
Reviews on Expedia's platform are from verified guests, which boosts credibility and trust among travelers. Expedia's review section provides a helpful breakdown of individual components like cleanliness and amenities, which can highlight a hotel's unique strengths.
You might think of Facebook as a social media platform or maybe a handy local shopping marketplace, but it's also an important review site for hotels and other hospitality industry businesses.
Facebook allows users to rate and leave reviews on business pages, and with millions of active daily users, it's a valuable source for attracting new guests. Facebook reviews can improve a hotel's online reputation and provide a platform for direct engagement with guests.
Apple Maps
With Apple Maps slowly but surely expanding its reach, particularly with its recent launch on the web, the navigation app has recently grown as a discovery platform for local businesses.
Apple Maps Place Cards, the platform's own version of business profiles, only sometimes allow users to leave ratings (depending on the area), but they can also pull reviews from third-party sites, specifically Yelp. Because of this, Apple Maps is an emerging but important listing and review platform for hotels looking to increase visibility among iOS users.
Hotels.com
Another hotel review site that's part of the Expedia Group, Hotels.com allows users to leave detailed reviews about their stays, making it an influential source of information and hotel comparisons for prospective guests researching their options.
Hotels.com's reward program also encourages repeat customers, helping hotels build brand loyalty while driving reviews.
Conclusion
Each of these hotel review sites offers unique advantages for improving local SEO for hospitality businesses, driving bookings, and increasing overall brand visibility. By ensuring a strong presence on these platforms, hotels can ensure they're collecting enough reviews to build credibility, boost visibility in local searches, and attract more guests.
