How AI impacts your company reviews
As a customer, when you are looking for a new product or service, how often do you rely on online reviews?
According to a 2025 study by CapitalOne Shopping, 92 percent of consumers read online reviews of a local business before making their first visit. In the report, it also shows that 42 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as they do personal recommendations, and among 18- to 34-year-olds, this percentage increases to 91 percent.
In 2023, LP Gas magazine explained why online reviews matter. In this article from three years ago, we shared a few of the same statistics listed here, but we also mentioned how online reviews impact search engine optimization (SEO):
⦁ Google determines local ranking based on relevance, distance and prominence: “More reviews and positive ratings can improve your business’s local ranking,” Google states.
Many of the best practices remain the same since we wrote this original article, but what has changed since 2023? One substantial answer: artificial intelligence (AI).
AI has taken off since 2023 and has profoundly impacted the average American’s life, at work and at home. According to an article from Gallup, the percentage of U.S. employees who say they have used AI in their role a few times a year or more has nearly doubled from 21 percent to 40 percent since 2023.
Now, in 2026, there is even an “AI Mode” integrated into Google search. When someone searches the internet, the first information to show up is AI-generated, but how do you make sure AI is pulling the best information for your company?
The AI-generated search results are still pulling real information and reviews found on the internet. To rank higher on Google’s results list, make sure your company’s website is up to date with the correct phone number, address and other general information so it doesn’t get flagged as misleading.
Another aspect that will pop up when searching is reviews that customers have left about your company, service or product. Whether it is Google Reviews, Yelp or mentions on social media, it can be generated whenever someone searches for your company.
Monitoring your online presence is essential for ensuring the best reputation for your company. You can monitor mentions manually by logging into your social media accounts and going through comments or by searching your company on Google, Yelp or other platforms that allow reviews.
If you are unable to monitor manually, there are tools you can use to monitor your company’s presence. One of the main ones is Google Alerts, and all you need is an email. With Google Alerts, you can receive email notifications whenever your company is mentioned on Google, including social media posts and even news articles.
There are multiple AI tools as well that can help you monitor your company’s online presence. Instead of being unsure of AI, learn how to use it to benefit your business.
Sydney Fischer is the senior digital media specialist for LP Gas magazine. She can be reached at sfischer@northcoastmedia.net.
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