Platform-Specific Review Strategies by Industry

The Platform Matrix: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Not all review platforms are created equal, and more importantly, not all platforms matter equally for every business. Your industry determines where your customers look for reviews, and understanding this landscape is crucial for strategic distribution.

Universal Platforms: The Foundation

Regardless of industry, certain platforms form your review foundation:

Google Business Profile

Why It's Universal:

• The vast majority of consumers (72-87%) use Google for local searches
• Direct integration with search results
• Maps and location-based discovery
• Rich snippets and star ratings

Optimization Strategy:

• Complete every profile field
• Add photos regularly
• Respond to all reviews
• Use Google Posts for updates
• Enable messaging and Q&A

Facebook

Why It's Universal:

• Over 3 billion monthly active users worldwide
• Powerful local recommendations
• Social sharing amplification
• Integrated shopping features

Optimization Strategy:

• Create shoppable posts
• Encourage check-ins
• Use Facebook Shops
• Leverage user-generated content
• Run review-highlighted ads

Trustpilot

Why It's Universal:

• Third-party credibility
• SEO benefits
• Integration widgets
• B2B and B2C trust

Optimization Strategy:

• Implement TrustBox widgets
• Use invitation services
• Showcase trust score
• Respond professionally
• Leverage rich snippets

Industry-Specific Platform Strategies

Fashion & Apparel

Primary Platforms:

1. Instagram Shopping

   • Visual-first reviews
   • Influencer amplification
   • Stories and Reels integration
   • Strategy: User-generated content campaigns

2. Pinterest

   • Style inspiration boards
   • Long-tail discovery
   • Shopping features
   • Strategy: Create style guides with reviews

3. ASOS Marketplace (if applicable)

   • Fashion-specific audience
   • Integrated shopping
   • Strategy: Highlight fit and quality

Optimization Tips:

• Focus on visual reviews
• Highlight size/fit feedback
• Leverage influencer reviews
• Create style galleries

Electronics & Tech

Primary Platforms:

1. Amazon (even if not selling there)

   • Research destination
   • Detailed technical reviews
   • Q&A sections
   • Strategy: Comprehensive spec reviews

2. Best Buy Reviews

   • Tech-savvy audience
   • Verified purchase weight
   • Strategy: Technical depth

3. Reddit (r/technology, product-specific subs)

   • Authentic discussions
   • Technical expertise
   • Strategy: Engage authentically

4. YouTube

   • Video reviews
   • Unboxing content
   • Strategy: Partner with reviewers

Optimization Tips:

• Emphasize technical specifications
• Include performance benchmarks
• Address common technical questions
• Provide comparison data

Beauty & Cosmetics

Primary Platforms:

1. Sephora Community (if applicable)

   • Beauty enthusiasts
   • Detailed product reviews
   • Strategy: Ingredient focus

2. Ulta Reviews

   • Beauty-specific audience
   • Rewards integration
   • Strategy: Results-focused content

3. Instagram & TikTok

   • Before/after content
   • Tutorial integration
   • Strategy: Video testimonials

4. Influenster

   • Product testing community
   • Detailed reviews
   • Strategy: Sample programs

Optimization Tips:

• Include skin type/tone info
• Show before/after results
• Address ingredient concerns
• Highlight cruelty-free/clean beauty

Home & Garden

Primary Platforms:

1. Houzz

   • Design-focused community
   • Professional reviews
   • Project galleries
   • Strategy: Visual transformations

2. Home Depot/Lowe's

   • DIY community
   • Project-based reviews
   • Strategy: Installation tips

3. Pinterest

   • Inspiration boards
   • DIY projects
   • Strategy: Project showcases

4. Nextdoor

   • Local recommendations
   • Contractor reviews
   • Strategy: Neighborhood focus

Optimization Tips:

• Include project photos
• Provide dimension details
• Address durability
• Show real installations

Food & Beverage

Primary Platforms:

1. Yelp

   • Restaurant discovery
   • Detailed experiences
   • Photo-heavy
   • Strategy: Respond actively

2. DoorDash/Uber Eats

   • Delivery experience
   • Food quality focus
   • Strategy: Packaging feedback

3. OpenTable

   • Reservation platform
   • Dining experience
   • Strategy: Service highlights

4. TripAdvisor

   • Tourist audience
   • Detailed reviews
   • Strategy: Visitor focus

Optimization Tips:

• Encourage food photos
• Address dietary restrictions
• Highlight signature items
• Respond to service issues

Health & Wellness

Primary Platforms:

1. Healthgrades (for practitioners)

   • Medical professionals
   • Appointment booking
   • Strategy: Patient care focus

2. Google Health

   • Health searches
   • Local discovery
   • Strategy: Condition-specific

3. WebMD Reviews

   • Health information seekers
   • Treatment reviews
   • Strategy: Outcome focus

4. Wellness Apps (MyFitnessPal, etc.)

   • Specific user base
   • Results tracking
   • Strategy: Progress stories

Optimization Tips:

• Include health outcomes
• Address safety concerns
• Provide usage instructions
• Show progress timelines

B2B Software & Services

Primary Platforms:

1. G2 Crowd

   • Software buyers
   • Detailed comparisons
   • Strategy: Feature highlights

2. Capterra

   • Business software
   • Category rankings
   • Strategy: Use case focus

3. LinkedIn

   • Professional network
   • Company reviews
   • Strategy: Client testimonials

4. Clutch

   • Agency reviews
   • Project-based
   • Strategy: Case studies

Optimization Tips:

• Emphasize ROI
• Include implementation time
• Address integration
• Provide support feedback

Platform-Specific Optimization Techniques

Google Optimization for Search and Answer Engines

• Use local SEO keywords
• Maintain NAP consistency
• Upload photos regularly
• Utilize Google Posts
• Enable all features
• Answer Engine Optimization: Ensure your Google Business Profile is complete and accurate, as AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity increasingly reference Google reviews when making business recommendations. LLM-powered recommendation engines place substantial weight on reviews from trustworthy platforms like Google when responding to consumer queries.

Facebook Optimization

• Create Facebook Shops
• Use Messenger for support
• Run review-based ads
• Create events
• Build communities

Instagram Optimization

• Use shoppable posts
• Create Highlights for reviews
• Partner with micro-influencers
• Utilize Stories and Reels
• Build branded hashtags

Industry Platform Optimization

• Understand platform culture
• Match content style
• Engage authentically
• Provide platform-specific value
• Monitor competitor presence

Optimizing for AI Discovery

Beyond traditional SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is becoming crucial for business visibility. With over 100 million ChatGPT users and Perplexity handling 10 million queries daily, AI chatbots are becoming primary discovery channels. These systems pull information from multiple sources including your website, Trustpilot, and Google My Business. Studies show 82% of generative AI citations in product-related queries reference review aggregators or expert comparison pages, making your multi-platform review presence essential for AI-driven recommendations.

The Distribution Priority Framework

Tier 1: Critical (Launch Immediately)

• Google Business Profile
• Primary industry platform
• Facebook/Instagram

Tier 2: Important (Launch Within 30 Days)

• Trustpilot or similar
• Secondary industry platforms
• Relevant marketplaces

Tier 3: Valuable (Launch Within 90 Days)

• Niche platforms
• Forums and communities
• Comparison sites

Tier 4: Experimental (Test and Learn)

• Emerging platforms
• Regional specific
• Beta opportunities

Measuring Platform Performance

Key Metrics by Platform

Google:

• Search impressions
• Click-through rate
• Direction requests
• Phone calls
• Website visits

Social Platforms:

• Engagement rate
• Share count
• Saves/bookmarks
• Click-throughs
• Conversions

Industry Platforms:

• Category ranking
• Comparison wins
• Lead quality
• Conversion rate
• ROI

Platform Compliance Considerations

Universal Rules

• No incentivized reviews
• Authentic customer feedback
• Accurate representation
• Timely responses
• Transparent practices

Platform-Specific Requirements

Google: No review gating Yelp: No direct solicitation Amazon: Verified purchase priority TripAdvisor: Experience within 12 months

Your Platform Strategy Checklist

Research Phase

• Identify where competitors have reviews
• Survey customers on platform usage
• Analyze platform traffic potential
• Assess resource requirements
• Calculate potential ROI

Implementation Phase

• Claim all platform profiles
• Optimize profile information
• Set up monitoring systems
• Create response templates
• Establish distribution workflow

Optimization Phase

• Track platform-specific metrics
• A/B test response strategies
• Adjust distribution timing
• Refine platform mix
• Scale successful platforms

Conclusion: Strategic Platform Mastery

Success in review management isn't about being everywhere—it's about being in the right places with the right message. Your industry determines your platform priorities, but your strategy determines your success.

Master the platforms where your customers search, optimize for both traditional search engines and emerging AI answer engines, and build a strategic multi-platform presence that reaches customers wherever they're researching products and services.

---

Ready to build your platform presence? Review Multiplier helps you distribute reviews across the platforms that matter for your industry, with plans starting free and scaling as your business grows. Get started free at reviewmultiplier.ai.