The best Canada review sites for most businesses are Google Business Profile, Yelp Canada, Facebook, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, HomeStars, Tripadvisor and Yellow Pages Canada. Canadian review sites like these are where shoppers from Vancouver to Halifax read reviews before they call, visit or buy. Start with Google and two or three sites that fit your industry, then grow from there.
Last updated: October 2026
Key takeaways
- Google is the most important review site in Canada for almost every local business.
- HomeStars, TrustedPros and RenovationFind matter most for Canadian home service pros.
- RateMDs, DealerRater, OpenTable and Tripadvisor lead in health, auto, dining and travel.
- Review requests sent by email or text must follow Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).
- Fake reviews can break the Competition Act, and Google and Yelp remove them.
- Reply to every review in a calm, short and helpful way, in French too if you serve Quebec.
Why Canada Review Sites Matter for Your Business
Most Canadians check reviews before they choose a local business. They look at the star rating, the number of reviews and how recent the reviews are. A business with many fresh, honest reviews looks safer than one with three old ones.
Reviews also help you rank. Google says that review count and rating are part of how it judges prominence in local results. More good reviews on Google, plus steady mentions on other trusted sites, can lift you in the map pack.
There is a newer reason too. AI tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Perplexity now answer questions such as “best plumber in Calgary”. These tools often pull from review sites and directories. If your business has strong reviews across several trusted platforms, you are more likely to be named.
Reviews and listings work together. A review site is often also a business directory, so every profile you build is a citation. To set up the listing side properly, see our guide to Canadian citation sites, then come back here to build reviews on top.
Where Canadians Check Reviews Before They Buy
If you are a shopper looking for trusted reviews in Canada, these are the places most people use:
- Google Maps and Search. The first stop for local shops, trades, clinics and restaurants. It has the largest number of reviews.
- Yelp Canada. Popular for restaurants, cafes, salons and services in big cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
- Better Business Bureau. Shoppers check BBB for complaints, ratings and how a company answers problems.
- HomeStars. A Canadian site for renovation, repair and home service pros.
- Tripadvisor. The main choice for hotels, tours and things to do.
- RateMDs. Canadians use it to read reviews of doctors and dentists.
- Trustpilot. Common for online stores, banks, telecom and national brands.
How to spot fake reviews. Be careful when a business has many five star reviews posted in a few days, reviews with no detail, or reviewers who have only ever posted one review. Read the low and middle ratings too. Check how the owner replies. Calm, specific replies are a good sign. Compare the rating across two or three sites. A big gap between sites can be a warning.
Major Review Platforms in Canada
These are the general review sites that matter for almost every Canadian business. Claim them first.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Business Profile | google.ca | Search and maps reviews | All local businesses |
| 2 | Yelp Canada | yelp.ca | Local review platform | Restaurants, salons, city services |
| 3 | facebook.com | Social recommendations | Community and retail businesses | |
| 4 | Trustpilot | trustpilot.com | Open review platform | Online stores and national brands |
| 5 | Better Business Bureau | bbb.org | Ratings and complaints | Trust and complaint handling |
| 6 | Apple Business Connect | businessconnect.apple.com | Apple Maps ratings | iPhone users finding nearby places |
| 7 | Bing Places | bingplaces.com | Search and maps listing | Bing and Microsoft search users |
| 8 | Yellow Pages Canada | yellowpages.ca | Directory with reviews | Trades and local services |
| 9 | Canada411 | canada411.ca | Directory with reviews | Phone and address lookups |
| 10 | Foursquare | foursquare.com | Location data and tips | Cafes, bars and shops |
Canadian Directories and Local Review Sites
These smaller sites have a Canadian or local focus. They add trust signals and extra places for customers to find you.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 411.ca | 411.ca | Canadian directory with reviews | Local businesses in all provinces |
| 12 | N49 | n49.com | Canadian review directory | Small local businesses |
| 13 | Hotfrog Canada | hotfrog.ca | Directory with reviews | Service businesses |
| 14 | Cylex Canada | cylex-canada.ca | Directory with reviews | Extra citations and reviews |
| 15 | Nextdoor | nextdoor.com | Neighbourhood recommendations | Home services and local shops |
Industry Specific Review Sites in Canada
Customers in some industries go straight to a niche site. If one of these fits your work, it can bring better leads than a general site.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | HomeStars | homestars.com | Home services reviews | Contractors, renovators, cleaners |
| 17 | TrustedPros | trustedpros.ca | Contractor reviews | Renovation and repair pros |
| 18 | RenovationFind | renovationfind.com | Verified contractor reviews | Home improvement companies |
| 19 | Houzz | houzz.com | Design and build platform | Designers, architects, builders |
| 20 | Bark | bark.com | Service marketplace | Freelancers and local pros |
| 21 | RateMDs | ratemds.com | Healthcare reviews | Doctors, dentists, clinics |
| 22 | DealerRater Canada | dealerrater.ca | Auto dealer reviews | Car dealerships |
| 23 | WeddingWire Canada | weddingwire.ca | Wedding vendor reviews | Venues, photographers, planners |
| 24 | OpenTable | opentable.ca | Diner reviews | Restaurants taking bookings |
If you run a trade or home service business, our list of review sites for contractors covers this group in more depth.
Travel and Booking Sites With Reviews
Hotels, tours and attractions get most of their reviews from booking sites. Only guests who booked can review on some of them, which makes the reviews more trusted.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Tripadvisor | tripadvisor.ca | Travel reviews | Hotels, tours, attractions |
| 26 | Booking.com | booking.com | Booking site with guest reviews | Hotels, B and Bs, rentals |
| 27 | Expedia | expedia.ca | Booking site with guest reviews | Hotels and packages |
Ecommerce and Verified Review Platforms
Online stores need product and seller reviews. These platforms collect reviews from real buyers and many can show stars in Google Shopping.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Amazon Canada | amazon.ca | Marketplace product reviews | Sellers on Amazon |
| 29 | Reviews.io | reviews.io | Verified review platform | Online stores |
| 30 | Feefo | feefo.com | Verified review platform | Retail and service brands |
| 31 | Shopper Approved | shopperapproved.com | Verified review platform | Ecommerce seller ratings |
| 32 | Sitejabber | sitejabber.com | Online business reviews | Websites and online shops |
B2B and Employer Review Sites
Business buyers and job seekers use these sites. A software firm, agency or any growing employer should watch them.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | G2 | g2.com | B2B software reviews | SaaS and software |
| 34 | Capterra | capterra.com | B2B software reviews | Small business software |
| 35 | Clutch | clutch.co | Verified B2B service reviews | Agencies and IT firms |
| 36 | Glassdoor | glassdoor.ca | Employer reviews | Hiring and employer brand |
| 37 | Indeed | ca.indeed.com | Employer reviews | Hiring and employer brand |
| 38 | linkedin.com | Professional recommendations | B2B services and consultants |
Top 10 Canada Review Sites at a Glance
| Site | Best for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | All local businesses | Reviews show in Maps and Search and help local rankings |
| Yelp Canada | Food, beauty, city services | Strong in big Canadian cities and feeds other apps |
| Community businesses | Friends and locals share recommendations | |
| Better Business Bureau | Trust building | Shoppers check ratings and complaint replies |
| Trustpilot | Online and national brands | Open to all and well known by shoppers |
| HomeStars | Home services | Canada’s best known home pro review site |
| Tripadvisor | Travel and hospitality | Main research site for travellers |
| RateMDs | Healthcare | Widely used for doctor reviews in Canada |
| Yellow Pages Canada | Trades and services | Long trusted Canadian directory |
| Apple Business Connect | iPhone users | Controls how you look in Apple Maps |
How to Choose Which Review Sites to Focus On
You do not need to be active on all 38 sites. A few strong profiles beat many empty ones. Use these steps:
- Start with Google. It drives the most calls and visits for nearly every local business.
- Search like a customer. Type your service and city into Google, for example “roofer Ottawa”. Note which review sites show on page one. Those are the sites your buyers see.
- Add one or two industry sites. HomeStars for trades, RateMDs for clinics, OpenTable for restaurants, Clutch for agencies.
- Check where competitors have reviews. If the top three rivals all have reviews on one site, you probably need it too.
- Claim the rest for accuracy. Even if you do not ask for reviews on a site, claim it so your name, address and phone stay correct.
For the full picture of platforms across many industries and countries, see our main business review sites guide. If you also serve customers south of the border, our list of top USA review sites shows which American platforms to add.
How to Get More Reviews in Canada
The best way to get more reviews is simple. Do good work, then ask every customer in a polite and easy way. Most happy customers are willing to leave a review, but many forget unless you ask.
Ask at the Right Time
- Ask right after a job is finished or a product is delivered, while the experience is fresh.
- For services, ask in person first, then send a link the same day.
- For online orders, send a request a few days after delivery so the buyer has tried the product.
- Send one reminder at most. Do not keep chasing.
Make It Easy
- Use your direct Google review link from your Business Profile dashboard.
- Print a QR code on receipts, invoices, table cards or the back of business cards.
- Add a review link to your email signature and your thank you page.
- Give one link, not five. Too many choices slow people down.
Email and Text Templates
Email template
Subject: Thanks for choosing [Business Name]
Hi [First Name], thank you for choosing us for your [service]. We hope everything went well. If you have a minute, could you share your experience in a short review? It helps other people in [City] find a business they can trust. [Review link]. Thank you, [Your Name]. To stop getting emails from us, reply STOP or use this link: [unsubscribe link].
Text message template
Hi [First Name], thanks for visiting [Business Name] today. Would you leave us a quick review? [Short link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Notice the opt out line in both. That is there for CASL, which is explained below.
Ethical Ways to Encourage Reviews
- Train staff to mention reviews at the end of a good visit.
- Ask every customer, not only the ones you think are happy.
- Thank people for any honest review, good or bad.
- Show recent reviews on your website so people see you value them. Your local SEO plan should include this.
Canadian Rules for Reviews and Review Requests
This section is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer if you are unsure about a specific case.
The Competition Act and Fake Reviews
The Competition Bureau enforces rules against false or misleading claims in marketing. Fake reviews, reviews written by staff without saying so, and paid reviews that hide the payment can all be seen as misleading. The Bureau has taken action against companies over fake reviews in the past. Never post reviews for your own business, and never ask staff, friends or family to pose as customers.
CASL and Review Request Messages
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation covers commercial electronic messages, like emails and texts. A review request can count as one. In general, you need consent to send it, you must say who you are, and you must give an easy way to unsubscribe. Implied consent can apply when the person bought from you recently, but it has time limits. Keep a record of how you got consent.
Platform Rules You Must Follow
- Google. Do not offer money, discounts or gifts for reviews. Do not use review gating, which means only asking happy customers or sending unhappy ones to a private form first.
- Yelp. Yelp asks businesses not to request reviews at all. You can let people know you are on Yelp, for example with a sticker, but do not ask for reviews there.
- Trustpilot. You may invite customers, but you must invite all of them, not only happy ones.
- Amazon. Use the built in Request a Review button or the Vine program. Do not offer refunds or gifts for reviews.
Industry and Language Notes
- Health professionals. Many provincial colleges limit the use of patient testimonials in advertising. Never confirm that someone is a patient when you reply to a review.
- Lawyers. Provincial law societies have marketing rules. Check them before you quote reviews on your website.
- Quebec. If you serve French speaking customers, reply in the language the reviewer used. Quebec also has its own consumer protection law.
How to Respond to Reviews
Replies show future customers how you treat people. Reply to every review if you can, and do it within a few days.
Replying to a Positive Review
Thank the person by name, mention the service, and keep it short.
Example. “Thanks so much, Priya. We are glad the furnace tune up went smoothly before the cold weather. See you next fall.”
Replying to a Negative Review
Stay calm. Say sorry for the experience, do not argue in public, and move the talk offline.
Example. “Hi Mark, we are sorry your order arrived late. That is not the service we aim for. Please call us at [phone] or email [email] so we can make this right.”
Tips for Every Reply
- Do not share private details about the customer.
- Do not copy and paste the same reply everywhere.
- Fix the real problem when a review points to one.
- If the customer updates their review after you help, thank them again.
How to Handle Fake Reviews
Sometimes you will get a review from someone who was never a customer, or a spam attack from many accounts. Here is what to do:
- Check your records. Search for the name, date and order. Be sure it is fake before you act.
- Report it on the platform. Google, Yelp, Trustpilot and others have a flag or report button. Choose the reason that fits, such as spam or conflict of interest.
- Reply politely. A short public reply like “We cannot find any record of your visit. Please contact us so we can look into this” shows readers you care.
- Escalate if needed. Google has a review management tool where you can check the status of reports and appeal.
- Get legal help for serious cases. If a review is clearly defamatory or part of a campaign, talk to a lawyer.
The best defence is a steady flow of real reviews. One fake review hurts much less when you have hundreds of honest ones.
How to Track Your Review Results
- Review count and rating. Track them monthly for Google and your top two niche sites.
- Review speed. Count new reviews each month. A steady flow looks natural and keeps your profile fresh.
- Response rate. Aim to reply to all reviews.
- Google Business Profile insights. Watch calls, direction requests and website clicks.
- Local rankings. Check your map pack position for key searches in your city.
- Common themes. Read reviews for repeated praise or complaints and share them with your team.
If you want a second pair of eyes on your numbers, an SEO consultancy review can show where reviews fit in your wider local plan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying reviews or swapping reviews with other businesses.
- Asking only happy customers, which is review gating.
- Getting 50 reviews in one week and then none for months.
- Ignoring negative reviews or replying in anger.
- Sending review requests without consent or an unsubscribe option.
- Leaving old addresses or phone numbers on directories, which confuses customers and search engines. A clean set of general business directories helps here.
- Spreading effort across 30 sites instead of building strength on a few.
Building Reviews and Citations Together
Reviews are only one part of local search. Your business also needs consistent listings across directories in Canada and abroad. Our guide to local business citation sites explains how listings support rankings. If you sell to customers in other countries too, our list of international citation sites can help.
Have your own tips on reviews or local marketing in Canada? You can share them with our readers through our marketing guest post page.
FAQs About Canada Review Sites
What is the most used review site in Canada?
Google is the most used review site in Canada. Its reviews show in Search and Maps, so most shoppers see them first. Yelp, Facebook and Tripadvisor follow, depending on the industry.
Is Yelp popular in Canada?
Yes, Yelp is used in Canada, mainly for restaurants, cafes, beauty and city services in large cities. It is less used in small towns, where Google and Facebook are stronger.
Is HomeStars legit?
HomeStars is a real Canadian site for home service reviews. Homeowners use it to compare contractors. As with any site, read several reviews and check how the company replies.
Does the BBB work in Canada?
Yes. Several regional BBB offices serve Canada. Businesses can have a BBB profile with a rating and customer reviews and complaints, whether or not they pay to be accredited.
Are fake reviews illegal in Canada?
Fake reviews can break the Competition Act’s rules on false or misleading representations. The Competition Bureau can act against businesses that post or buy them. Platforms also remove fake reviews and may penalize the business.
Can I offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google does not allow incentives for reviews, even if you do not ask for a positive one. Ask politely and let customers review freely.
Does CASL apply to review request emails?
A review request sent by email or text can be a commercial electronic message under CASL. Make sure you have consent, identify your business and include an unsubscribe option.
How many reviews does a business need?
There is no fixed number. Aim to have more recent reviews than the top competitors in your area and keep a steady flow each month.
Can I remove a bad review?
You cannot delete a real review just because it is negative. You can report reviews that break platform rules, such as spam, hate speech or conflicts of interest. For real complaints, reply and try to fix the problem.
Conclusion
Canada review sites shape how shoppers see your business. Start with Google, add the one or two sites your industry trusts most, and ask every customer for honest feedback. Follow CASL and platform rules, reply to every review, and track your progress each month. Small, steady steps will build a reputation that brings in more calls and better customers. For more practical SEO, social media, and digital marketing guides, visit DigitalSoules.
