Struggling with how to respond to Google reviews with no text? You're not alone! Many dental offices wonder if they should engage with these reviews—and the answer is yes! In this guide, we provide 50 ready-to-use responses for every star rating, ensuring your practice maintains a professional and engaged online presence. Plus, we’ll share why responding to every review is essential for your reputation and SEO. Scroll down to grab these easy-to-use templates!
March 14th, 2024
Every dental office receives reviews on their Google Business Profile, and while it’s easy to focus on those with detailed feedback, even reviews with no text deserve a response. A simple star rating without commentary may not provide much context, but it still impacts your online reputation and how potential patients perceive your practice.
In this guide, we provide 50 copy-and-paste responses you can use to engage with patients who leave reviews without commentary. Plus, we’ll dive into why responding to all reviews—yes, even the silent ones—is crucial for your practice’s growth. Scroll (or jump) below to steal our easy to use template responses, or read on to learn more about why responding to reviews is important.
The Hidden Impact of Silent Google Reviews: Why You Should Always Respond
Responding to reviews—whether positive or negative—demonstrates that your dental office values patient feedback and is actively engaged in the patient experience. Studies show that 89% of consumers would be ‘likely’ or ‘highly likely’ to use businesses that respond to all reviews, while 22% say they’re ‘not likely at all’ to use businesses that don’t respond at all. A well-managed review response strategy can significantly impact patient trust and conversion rates. Here are some more compelling reasons why you should never leave a review unanswered:
Source: https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey-2024/
Even without text, a review still contributes to your online reputation score, influencing how potential patients perceive your practice. Ignoring these reviews may make your office seem disengaged, whereas responding—even with a simple ‘thank you’—reinforces a positive patient experience. This is especially important given that potential patients often browse reviews when choosing a provider, and a well-maintained response strategy can set your practice apart from competitors. Now, let's dive into specific examples of how you can craft effective responses to different types of Google reviews. You can copy and paste these responses directly into your own practice’s review management process, making small edits as needed to personalize them.
Circulation Dental is your partner in building and protecting your online reputation. As experts in dental online reputation management and certified Yelp Advertising Partners (through our parent company, Circulation Studio), we help dental practices craft effective review responses, remove harmful reviews where possible, and optimize Google Business Profiles for better visibility. A well-managed review strategy builds trust, attracts new patients, and strengthens your practice’s credibility. Let us handle your online reputation so you can focus on delivering excellent patient care. Click the button below to schedule a free consultation today!
Our 50 review response templates are designed to save you time while ensuring your dental office maintains a professional and engaging online presence. These responses cover a range of star ratings and are fully customizable to match your practice’s voice and values.
Feel free to personalize these templates by inserting your practice name, specific team members, or adding a more personal touch. You can also mix and match different responses to keep your engagement natural and varied. Consistently responding to reviews, even those without text, reinforces trust with current and potential patients while improving your local SEO rankings.
Five-star reviews without commentary are a great indicator that your patients had a positive experience. Since these reviews do not include specific feedback or concerns, responses should be short, appreciative, and not prompt further action. Keeping it simple ensures your practice maintains a warm and engaging presence without unnecessary back-and-forth. Below are 25 copy-and-paste responses you can use to acknowledge and appreciate a five-star rating:
Four-star reviews are generally positive, meaning the patient had a good experience but may have had minor reservations. Unlike three-star and lower reviews, four-star reviews typically don’t require follow-up action or an invitation to contact the office. Instead, responses should acknowledge the patient’s feedback, express appreciation, and subtly reinforce the goal of providing five-star service in the future.
Three-star reviews can be interpreted in multiple ways—some patients see them as an 'average' score, while others consider them a sign of dissatisfaction. Think of how some teachers grade: an 'A' might be seen as exceptional by one, while another sees a 'C' as simply average. Because of this ambiguity, it’s important to approach 3-star reviews with a balanced response.
Before responding, check the patient chart to see if any issues may have impacted their experience. If the review leans more negative, it’s a good idea to invite the patient to provide more details. In cases where the sentiment seems neutral or slightly positive, a simple acknowledgment of their feedback without asking for further input may be the best approach. Below are a mix of examples to fit different scenarios.
Two-star reviews suggest a patient had a less-than-ideal experience, making it crucial to acknowledge their feedback and offer a way to address their concerns. Since these reviews can imply dissatisfaction, providing a direct contact method—whether a phone number, email, or dedicated patient satisfaction form—allows the reviewer to share more details. This approach not only helps them feel heard but also gives your team an opportunity to resolve potential issues before they escalate.
One-star reviews can be especially concerning for a dental practice, and while some patients may leave them without context, they still require careful handling. These reviews should always be acknowledged professionally and empathetically, with an invitation to discuss the issue further. Unlike higher ratings, where a simple thank-you may suffice, 1-star reviews warrant a direct approach in offering resolution.
Providing a specific contact person, such as the office manager, along with a phone number or email, ensures that the reviewer feels heard and has a clear path to share their concerns. Since not all 1-star reviews will be genuine or fair, it’s also worth reviewing the patient’s chart or records internally to assess if any misunderstandings need to be addressed. Below, we provide 10 examples of how to handle these situations effectively, allowing you to engage constructively while protecting your practice’s reputation.
Yes, Google does allow reviews with no commentary to be flagged for removal, but the process is more challenging. Since there is no specific text to dispute, you can only flag it if it violates Google’s review policies (e.g., fake reviews, conflicts of interest, spam). If you suspect a review is fraudulent, you can report it through your Google Business Profile dashboard. However, removal is not guaranteed. Google’s algorithm tends to filter suspicious reviews, but it rarely removes a simple star rating unless there’s clear evidence of a violation.
Circulation Dental is your partner in building and protecting your online reputation. As experts in dental online reputation management and certified Yelp Advertising Partners (through our parent company, Circulation Studio), we help dental practices craft effective review responses, remove harmful reviews where possible, and optimize Google Business Profiles for better visibility. A well-managed review strategy builds trust, attracts new patients, and strengthens your practice’s credibility. Let us handle your online reputation so you can focus on delivering excellent patient care. Click the button below to schedule a free consultation today!
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