A key question we often get before clients sign up for our local SEO software is: how many 5-star reviews are needed to raise the average Google rating?
According to Google’s official forum, there’s no exact formula. The rating average is calculated as a weighted average: it depends on how many reviews you already have, the authority of the people leaving them (for example, Local Guides), whether they include text, photos, or videos, and the length and quality of the content.
But don’t get discouraged!
Although there’s no public formula, that doesn’t mean we can’t estimate it quite accurately.
Thanks to the analysis of multiple real-life cases and our experience managing Google profiles for more than 200 local businesses, we’ve built a calculator that gives you a very realistic estimate.
It’s not magic — it’s applied mathematics with common sense.
Use this OPINAS Google Review Calculator to find out how many 5★ reviews you need to increase your average by +0.1★ based on your current rating.
An interesting insight… What’s considered a bad or good rating, and what perception does it create?
According to Northwestern University, 54% of consumers avoid businesses with less than 4 stars, while a 4.0 rating is seen as the minimum acceptable threshold. Generally:
- Below 4.0★: potential risk — reduced trust and a negative perception.
- Between 4.0★ and 4.5★: acceptable zone but not strong enough to stand out.
- Above 4.5★: clearly positive — conveys trust, quality, and credibility.
How to raise your Google reviews and average rating professionally
At OPINAS, we not only help you get more genuine reviews from your customers, but we also provide you with a Google review management software plus our NFC cards and stands, making it easier for customers to leave their opinion at the right moment — right after a great experience.
The whole process is simple, natural, and friction-free.
Once the reviews start coming in, our technology takes over: you’ll receive real-time notifications whenever your average rating goes up or down, so you can react quickly if something goes wrong or take advantage of good momentum.
You’ll also see which team member is getting the most reviews, allowing you to reward strong performers internally.
Plus, you’ll save a lot of time because you can respond to Google reviews with AI — delivering thoughtful, personalized replies in your brand’s tone, so your Google profile keeps growing effortlessly.
