Should You Respond to Google Reviews without Text?

(Yes! w/50 Examples)

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! 


5 Star Review Bubble with Gold Stars

Why Responding to Google Reviews (Even Without Text) Matters


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.

Google Review for 5 Stars with No Text

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:

  • Google officially factors in review activity for local SEO. Businesses with more reviews and owner responses tend to rank higher on Google Maps and in local search results. (Source: Google) By actively engaging with your reviews, your practice improves its local SEO and stands out in competitive search results.
  • Consumers typically use two or more sites to check business reviews: The same BrightLocal study found that 36% of consumers use two review sites when deciding to use local businesses, while 41% of consumers use three or more sites.
  • Faster responses increase satisfaction. Most consumers expect a business to respond to reviews in no more than 2-3 days.
BrightLocal Review Response Time Graphic showing 2-3 Days is Expected

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.

Need Professional Help with your Google Reviews?


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! 


Copy-and-Paste Review Response Templates for Your Dental Practice


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

5-Star Reviews Without Commentary (25 Example Responses)


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:

  1. Thanks for the five stars! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again.
  2. Your five-star rating means a lot! We’re glad to have you as our guest.
  3. We’re grateful for the positive rating! Thanks for choosing us and we look forward to your next visit. 
  4. Appreciate the five stars! Hope to see you at your next visit.
  5. Thanks for the great rating! It’s always a pleasure to care for our guests and read their feedback online.
  6. A five-star review is always great to see—thank you so much!
  7. We appreciate the support! Thanks for the five-star rating.
  8. Your feedback means a lot! Thanks for the great rating. This shows we hit the mark during your visit and we look forward to maintaining that level of service on all your upcoming visits as well!
  9. Thanks for the perfect rating! We’re happy to have you here.
  10. Five stars—thank you! We truly appreciate it.
  11. Your five-star review helps others feel confident about choosing [PRACTICE NAME]. Thanks for sharing your support!
  12. These high ratings help our online community find a dental team they can trust. We appreciate you spreading the word!
  13. Seeing feedback like this reassures our team that we’re providing the best care possible. We love reading it. Thank you for the five stars!
  14. We love what we do, and reviews like yours make it even more rewarding. Thanks for taking a moment to rate us!
  15. Your support helps our practice continue delivering great care to every guest who walks through our doors. Thank you!
  16. Every five-star review helps others know what to expect when they visit [PRACTICE NAME]. We’re grateful for yours!
  17. Our team loves reading reviews like this—it reminds us why we’re so passionate about serving our guests. Thanks for your support!
  18. A simple rating like this goes a long way in helping others find the care they deserve. We truly appreciate it!
  19. Your feedback validates the effort our team puts in every day to make each visit a great one. Thank you for sharing your experience with the community here online!
  20. This kind of support helps community dental offices like ours thrive online and reach more guests who need great care. We appreciate you and the time you took to rate us online! 
  21. Positive feedback like this keeps our team motivated and helps others know what to expect when they visit. Thanks for the support!
  22. Your review helps highlight the care and service we strive to provide every guest. We truly appreciate it!
  23. Seeing ratings like this reminds us why we love what we do. Thanks for sharing your support!
  24. Reviews like yours help us continue providing top-quality care while guiding new guests to a place they can trust. Thank you!
  25. Every five-star rating makes a difference, both for our team and for those looking for a dental office they can count on. We appreciate yours!

4-Star Reviews Without Commentary (5 Example Responses)


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.

  1. Thanks for your rating! We’re always striving to provide five-star experiences and hope to earn that extra star on your next visit.
  2. We’re grateful for your support! Providing great care is our priority, and we hope your next visit is an even better experience.
  3. Thanks for your rating! At [PRACTICE NAME], we’re always striving to provide exceptional care, and we look forward to making your next visit even better.
  4. We appreciate your rating! It’s always our goal to make every visit as smooth and comfortable as possible—looking forward to seeing you again.
  5. Thanks for your review! [DOCTORS NAME] and the team are committed to providing top-quality care and will always strive to exceed expectations.

3-Star Reviews Without Commentary (5 Example Responses)


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.

  1. Thanks for your review! At [PRACTICE NAME], we aim for five-star experiences and are always open to improvement. If you’d like to share any details about your visit, we’d love your feedback: [LINK] or contact us at [EMAIL/PHONE].
  2. We value all feedback, and your review helps us grow. If you have any thoughts on how we can make your next visit a better one, we’d love to hear from you: [LINK] or call us at [PHONE].
  3. Your feedback matters to us! [DOCTORS NAME] and the team always strive for excellence, and we’d love to understand how we can make your next visit even better. Please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  4. We truly value your input. At [PRACTICE NAME], we’re dedicated to providing outstanding care, and your feedback helps us improve. If you have any thoughts to share, please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or fill out our form here: [LINK].
  5. Thank you for your review! Our team is committed to continuous improvement, and we’d love to know what we can do to elevate your experience next time. Feel free to reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].

2-Star Reviews Without Commentary (5 Example Responses)


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.

  1. We sincerely regret that your experience didn’t meet the high standards we set for ourselves at [PRACTICE NAME]. Your feedback is important, and we’d love to hear more about how we can improve. Please reach out to us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  2. Your experience matters to us, and we’re sorry to see this rating. If there was anything we could have done better, we’d love to hear from you so we can continue improving. Feel free to reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or share feedback here: [LINK].
  3. We strive to be a trusted dental office for our patients, and we take all feedback seriously. If your visit didn’t reflect the five-star care we aim for, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please connect with us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or fill out our feedback form: [LINK].
  4. We are committed to providing top-quality care and a positive experience for every patient. A two-star rating is not the level of service we strive for, and we’d genuinely like to understand what didn’t meet your expectations. If something fell short during your visit, please let us know at [EMAIL/PHONE] or through our feedback form: [LINK]. Your input is important, and we take it seriously as we continue to improve our patient care.
  5. We’re truly sorry to see that your experience didn’t meet the high standards our team takes pride in. Your feedback is important to us, and we’d love the opportunity to understand what went wrong and how we can improve. If you’re willing to share more, please reach out to us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK]. We value every patient and hope to make things right.

1-Star Reviews Without Commentary (10 Example Responses)


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.

  1. We never want a patient to leave unhappy, and we deeply regret that your experience didn’t meet expectations. We’ll be notifying our office manager about this, and if there’s anything we can do to make things right, please contact us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  2. We sincerely regret that your experience with us led to a one-star rating. That’s not the level of care we aim for, and we’d like to make things right. If you’re open to sharing more, please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or through our feedback form: [LINK].
  3. We are committed to providing excellent patient care, and we’re deeply concerned about this rating. We will be addressing this internally, but if there’s anything specific you’d like to share, we encourage you to reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  4. A one-star experience is not acceptable to us, and we want to do better. Our office manager will be informed so we can look into this further. If you’re open to discussing your experience, please contact us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  5. It’s always disappointing to see a one-star review, but we appreciate feedback as it helps us improve. We’ll be sharing this with our office manager to address any concerns internally. If you’re willing, please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or submit feedback here: [LINK].
  6. A one-star review is something we take seriously, and we are committed to improving. We would greatly appreciate the chance to learn more about what happened. Please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or provide feedback here: [LINK].
  7. We’re sorry your experience didn’t meet expectations. Our office manager will review this, and we’d love to hear more at [EMAIL/PHONE] or via our feedback form: [LINK].
  8. Seeing a one-star review is disappointing, and we take it seriously. If there’s anything we can do to address your concerns, please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or [LINK].
  9. We strive for excellent care, and a one-star review is not the experience we aim for. We’re reviewing this internally, but if there’s anything we can do, please contact us at [EMAIL/PHONE] or [LINK].
  10. A rating like this means we missed the mark, and we want to make it right. Our office manager will review this, but if you’d like to share more, please reach out at [EMAIL/PHONE] or [LINK].

Bonus: Can Reviews Without Text Be Flagged for Removal?

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.

Let Circulation Dental Help with your Google Reviews?


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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