The Chiropractic Google Reviews Playbook: How to Go from 20 to 100+ Reviews
The Review Advantage
Chiropractic clinics with 100+ Google reviews get 3.2x more new patient inquiries than clinics with 20-30 reviews—even when the star ratings are identical. This playbook shows you exactly how to build that review momentum.
You're a skilled chiropractor. Your patients get relief. You have solid outcomes and decent word-of-mouth referrals.
But here's the problem: When someone searches "chiropractor near me" on Google, they're comparing you to competitors based almost entirely on two things:
- Star rating (4.2 vs 4.7 matters—a lot)
- Review count (23 reviews vs 104 reviews)
If you have 23 reviews and your competitor down the street has 104 reviews, most people will choose them—regardless of your clinical expertise, years of experience, or certifications.
This isn't fair. But it is reality.
The good news? You can systematically build review momentum using the exact playbook that top chiropractic clinics use. This isn't about begging patients or buying fake reviews—it's about creating a frictionless system that makes it easy for happy patients to share their experience.
Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever
of new patients choose chiropractors based on Google reviews (Source: BrightLocal 2024)
Star increase can double your inquiry rate
Google ranks clinics with recent reviews higher in local search
Here's how Google uses reviews to rank you:
- Quantity signals popularity: More reviews = more patients = better clinic
- Recency signals activity: Recent reviews = active practice still accepting patients
- Quality signals trustworthiness: Detailed, authentic reviews rank higher than generic ones
Audit Your Current Review Landscape
Before you start collecting reviews, you need to know where you stand and who you're competing against.
Review Audit Checklist
Your current Google star rating and total review count
Example: 4.3 stars, 27 reviews
Your review velocity (reviews per month over last 6 months)
Example: 1-2 reviews per month
Top 3-5 competitor ratings and review counts
Example: Competitor A = 4.8 stars, 112 reviews
Competitor review velocity
Example: Top competitor gets 5-7 reviews/month
Recent negative/neutral reviews that need responses
Check last 3 months
Case Study: Dr. Sarah Mitchell at London Chiropractic discovered she had 4.1 stars with 17 reviews, while her top competitor had 4.9 stars with 87 reviews. This audit revealed the exact gap she needed to close—and she went from 17 to 40 reviews in just 45 days using this playbook.
Create Your Google Review Link
You need a direct link that takes patients straight to the review form (not just your Google Business Profile). This reduces friction from 4 clicks to 1 click—which dramatically increases completion rates.
How to Get Your Review Link
- 1.
Go to your Google Business Profile
Search for your clinic on Google, click "Suggest an edit" → "Claim this business"
- 2.
Get your Place ID
Use Google's Place ID Finder tool or check your dashboard
- 3.
Create your review link
https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID - 4.
Shorten it (optional but recommended)
Use Bitly or TinyURL to create something like: bit.ly/review-smithchiro
Pro tip: Test your link on your phone before sending to patients. It should open directly to the review form, not your profile page.
Set Up Your 2-Touchpoint Review System
The most effective review collection systems use two touchpoints: automated email + personal outreach. This catches patients at different stages of their care journey.
Touchpoint 1: Automated Email (24-48 Hours Post-Visit)
Email Subject: "How was your visit, [Name]?"
Hi [Patient Name],
Thanks for coming in on [Day]! I hope you're already starting to feel some relief.
If you found your adjustment helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you could take 60 seconds to share your experience on Google. Your feedback helps other people in [City] find us when they're looking for chiropractic care.
[Review Us on Google - Big Button]
If you have any questions or concerns, just reply to this email—I'm here to help.
Thanks again,
Dr. [Your Name]
Critical: Only send this email if the visit went well.
Set up a filter in your practice management system to exclude patients who had complications, expressed dissatisfaction, or are mid-treatment plan. You want to ask patients who had a positive experience.
Touchpoint 2: Personal Text (For VIP Patients with Great Results)
Send this manually to 5-8 patients per week who:
- Had exceptional results (pain eliminated/reduced)
- Verbally expressed gratitude
- Completed a treatment plan successfully
"Hey [Name], so glad we got your back pain under control! If you're willing, a quick Google review would mean a lot: [short link]"
Response rate: 40-60% (much higher than automated emails)
Respond to Every Single Review (Within 24 Hours)
Most chiropractors ignore this step. Big mistake. Responding to reviews:
- Boosts your SEO ranking (Google sees engagement)
- Shows you care (prospective patients read your responses)
- Reminds past patients to leave their own review (they see your responses and think "I should do that too")
Response Templates
For 5-Star Reviews:
"Thank you so much for the kind words, [Name]! We're thrilled we could help you get back to [specific activity they mentioned]. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. - Dr. [Your Name]"
For 3-4 Star Reviews:
"Thanks for your feedback, [Name]. I'm glad we were able to help with [positive aspect]. I'd love to discuss [concern they raised] further—please feel free to call the office or email me directly at [email]. - Dr. [Your Name]"
For 1-2 Star Reviews (Critical):
"I'm sorry to hear about your experience, [Name]. This doesn't reflect the level of care we strive to provide. I'd really like to discuss this with you directly to make things right. Please call me at [phone] or email [email] at your convenience. - Dr. [Your Name]"
Pro tip: Take the conversation offline immediately. Many negative reviewers will update/remove their review after you resolve the issue privately.
Make It Visible Everywhere
Don't hide your review link. Make it ridiculously easy for patients to find and use.
7 Places to Display Your Review Link
Email Signature
Add a subtle line: "Love our care? Leave us a review! [link]"
Website Footer
Small Google icon with review CTA
Checkout/Front Desk
Print a QR code with "Scan to review us!" (laminate it)
Appointment Reminder Texts
Add: "P.S. Loved your last visit? Review us: [link]"
Social Media Bios
Instagram/Facebook bio link
Post-Visit Receipts
Print QR code on receipts/invoices
Exit Door Sign
Small sign: "Had a great visit? Scan to share!" with QR code
The more touchpoints, the higher your review collection rate. Aim for 4-5 of these placements.
Track and Optimize Monthly
What gets measured gets improved. Track these 4 metrics monthly:
Monthly Review Dashboard
Total Review Count
Target: +4-6 reviews/month
If below target: Increase personal text outreach
Average Star Rating
Target: Maintain/improve current rating
If declining: Review recent negative feedback for patterns
Response Rate
Target: 100% (respond to every review)
Set up daily Google notifications
Competitor Gap
Target: Close gap by 5-10 reviews/month
If gap widening: Increase automated email frequency
90-Day Benchmark Goals
- Month 1: 4-6 new reviews (system ramp-up)
- Month 2: 6-8 new reviews (momentum building)
- Month 3: 8-10 new reviews (full velocity)
Total: 18-24 new reviews in 90 days (enough to move from bottom tier to competitive tier)
Your 30-Day Action Plan
Don't try to implement all 6 steps at once. Here's a realistic timeline:
Week 1
- Complete review audit (Step 1)
- Create your Google review link (Step 2)
- Set up automated email sequence (Step 3)
Week 2
- Start responding to all reviews within 24 hours (Step 4)
- Send your first batch of personal text requests (Step 3)
- Add review link to email signature and website (Step 5)
Week 3
- Print QR codes for front desk and exit door (Step 5)
- Continue personal outreach to 5-8 VIP patients
- Monitor first batch of incoming reviews
Week 4
- Complete first monthly tracking dashboard (Step 6)
- Adjust email/text templates based on response rates
- Plan Month 2 optimization based on data
Expected Results After 90 Days:
- 18-24 new Google reviews
- Improved local search ranking (often into top 3)
- 12-18 new patient inquiries attributed to reviews
- Sustainable review velocity (4-6 reviews/month on autopilot)
Want to See How You Stack Up Against Competitors?
Get a free competitive intelligence report showing your exact review gap and the fastest path to close it.
15-minute delivery • 60-day guarantee • No subscription required