The best review sites for doctors are Google Business Profile, Healthgrades, Zocdoc, WebMD Care, Vitals, RateMDs and Yelp. These doctor review sites and physician review sites are where most patients read about a doctor before booking, and where your ratings shape whether a new patient calls you or the practice down the road. This guide lists every major site, then shows how to earn more patient reviews while protecting privacy.
Last updated: October 2026
Key takeaways
- Google Business Profile is the most important review site for most doctors and clinics.
- Healthgrades, WebMD Care, Vitals and RateMDs are the main medical specific review sites in the US.
- Booking platforms like Zocdoc collect reviews from verified patients after real visits.
- In the UK, Doctify, Top Doctors and iWantGreatCare matter. In Australia, look at HealthEngine and Whitecoat.
- Never confirm that someone is your patient or share health details in a review reply. HIPAA and similar rules apply.
- Ask every patient the same way, with no rewards, to stay within platform rules and the law.
Why Online Reviews Matter for Doctors
Choosing a doctor is personal. Patients want someone who listens, explains things clearly, runs on time and has a friendly front desk. A medical degree on the wall does not show any of that. Reviews do. That is why so many patients check ratings before they book, even when their insurance gives them a list of in network options.
Reviews help a medical practice in three main ways.
- Local rankings. Google uses reviews as one of the signals for local search. Practices with many recent, positive reviews have a better chance of showing up for searches like “family doctor near me” or “dermatologist in Phoenix”.
- Patient choice. When patients compare two doctors with similar experience, ratings and recent comments often decide the booking.
- AI answers. AI assistants now answer questions like “who is a good pediatrician near me”. They draw on review sites and directories, so a strong presence across trusted medical sites makes you more likely to be recommended.
Reviews also depend on accurate listings. If your practice name, address, phone number or doctor names differ across sites, patients get confused and search engines lose trust. Our guide to citation sites for doctors shows where to fix this first.
Where Patients Check Doctor Reviews
If you are a patient looking for trustworthy doctor reviews, these are the most useful places to look.
- Google. Best for the most reviews and the newest feedback, including comments about the front desk and wait times.
- Healthgrades. Shows patient ratings alongside details like education, board certification and hospital affiliations.
- Zocdoc. Reviews come from patients who booked and attended a visit through the platform.
- WebMD Care and Vitals. Large US directories with ratings on things like bedside manner and wait time.
- RateMDs. Popular in both the US and Canada.
- Your state medical board. Not a review site, but the best place to check a doctor’s license and any public disciplinary actions.
To spot fake or unhelpful reviews, look out for many five star reviews posted on the same day, reviews that say nothing about the visit, and reviews that focus only on billing or insurance issues that the doctor cannot control. Read several recent reviews across two or three sites before forming a view.
Major Review Platforms for Doctors
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Business Profile | google.com | Search and maps reviews | Most patient reviews and local rankings |
| 2 | Yelp | yelp.com | Local review site | Urban practices and urgent care |
| 3 | facebook.com | Social recommendations | Community and family practices | |
| 4 | Bing Places | bing.com | Search and maps listing | Bing and Microsoft search users |
| 5 | Apple Business Connect | apple.com | Maps listing and ratings | iPhone users in Apple Maps |
| 6 | Nextdoor | nextdoor.com | Neighborhood network | Neighbors recommending local doctors |
| 7 | Trustpilot | trustpilot.com | Open review platform | Private clinics and telehealth services |
| 8 | Better Business Bureau | bbb.org | Ratings and complaints | Medical spas and private pay clinics |
Physician Review Sites
These sites are built only for healthcare. Patients who use them are often ready to book.
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Healthgrades | healthgrades.com | Doctor ratings and profiles | US physicians and specialists |
| 10 | Vitals | vitals.com | Doctor ratings site | Ratings on wait time and bedside manner |
| 11 | WebMD Care | doctor.webmd.com | Doctor directory with reviews | Patients researching symptoms and doctors |
| 12 | RateMDs | ratemds.com | Doctor review site | US and Canadian doctors |
| 13 | Doctor.com | doctor.com | Provider profiles and reviews | Practices that want one managed profile |
| 14 | Wellness.com | wellness.com | Health directory with reviews | Doctors and wellness providers |
Booking Platforms With Patient Reviews
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Zocdoc | zocdoc.com | Online booking with reviews | Verified reviews from booked patients |
| 16 | Solv | solvhealth.com | Booking for urgent and primary care | Urgent care and walk in clinics |
| 17 | Doctoralia | doctoralia.com | International booking platform | Doctors in Latin America and Europe |
| 18 | Practo | practo.com | Booking and reviews | Doctors in India and parts of Asia |
Specialty Medical Review Sites
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | FertilityIQ | fertilityiq.com | Fertility doctor reviews | Fertility clinics and IVF doctors |
| 20 | RealSelf | realself.com | Cosmetic treatment reviews | Plastic surgeons and dermatologists |
| 21 | Healthy Hearing | healthyhearing.com | Hearing clinic directory | Audiologists and hearing clinics |
| 22 | WhatClinic | whatclinic.com | Clinic comparison site | Private and cosmetic clinics |
UK and Australian Doctor Review Sites
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Doctify | doctify.com | Verified patient reviews | UK private specialists and clinics |
| 24 | Top Doctors | topdoctors.co.uk | Specialist directory and reviews | UK private consultants |
| 25 | iWantGreatCare | iwantgreatcare.org | Patient feedback platform | UK doctors and NHS services |
| 26 | Care Opinion | careopinion.org.uk | Public patient feedback | NHS and UK health services |
| 27 | HealthEngine | healthengine.com.au | Booking with reviews | Australian GPs and clinics |
| 28 | Whitecoat | whitecoat.com.au | Provider search and reviews | Australian health providers |
Directories, Social and Employer Review Sites
| # | Site | Website | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Yellow Pages | yellowpages.com | Online directory | Older patients and phone searches |
| 30 | Hotfrog | hotfrog.com | Business directory | Free listing with reviews |
| 31 | ShowMeLocal | showmelocal.com | Local directory | Local listing and ratings |
| 32 | Cybo | cybo.com | Global directory | International listing with ratings |
| 33 | Foursquare | foursquare.com | Location data and tips | Feeding location data to apps |
| 34 | Chamber of Commerce | chamberofcommerce.com | Business directory | Local trust and reviews |
| 35 | EZlocal | ezlocal.com | Local directory | US local listing reviews |
| 36 | reddit.com | Community forums | City subreddits where patients ask for doctors | |
| 37 | Feefo | feefo.com | Verified review platform | Private clinics collecting verified reviews |
| 38 | Glassdoor | glassdoor.com | Employer review site | Hiring nurses and front desk staff |
| 39 | Indeed | indeed.com | Job site with company reviews | Employer reputation in healthcare |
Top 10 Doctor Review Sites at a Glance
| Site | Website | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | google.com | Most reviews and biggest effect on local search |
| Healthgrades | healthgrades.com | Top US physician review site |
| Zocdoc | zocdoc.com | Verified reviews tied to real bookings |
| WebMD Care | doctor.webmd.com | Huge health audience |
| Vitals | vitals.com | Detailed ratings patients compare |
| RateMDs | ratemds.com | Strong in the US and Canada |
| Yelp | yelp.com | Key in many large cities |
| facebook.com | Community recommendations | |
| Doctor.com | doctor.com | Profile management across many sites |
| Doctify | doctify.com | Leading verified site for UK private care |
For review platforms beyond healthcare, see our full list of business review sites.
How to Choose Which Review Sites to Focus On
Most practices do best with Google as the main focus and one or two medical sites as support. Here is how to pick.
- Google first. It almost always has the most impact on new patient calls.
- Search each doctor’s name. Type the doctor’s full name into Google. The medical sites that appear on page one are the ones patients see. Healthgrades, WebMD Care and Vitals often show up.
- Check your booking tool. If you use Zocdoc, reviews there come in after visits and need little effort.
- Think about your specialty. Cosmetic practices should focus on RealSelf. Fertility clinics should focus on FertilityIQ. Audiologists should use Healthy Hearing.
- Think about your country. UK private practices should look at Doctify and Top Doctors. Australian clinics should use HealthEngine.
- Claim every profile. Even if you do not chase reviews there, make sure each doctor’s profile has the right photo, address, insurance and specialties.
Doctor profiles on medical sites also act as citations. Our list of medical citation sites covers the healthcare directories that help your local rankings.
How to Get More Patient Reviews
Ask at the right moment
- Send the request within a few hours of the visit, while the experience is fresh.
- For procedures, wait until the follow up visit, when the patient can judge the result.
- Train the front desk to mention reviews at checkout in a friendly, low pressure way.
- Ask every patient, not only the ones who seemed happy.
Make it easy and private
- Use your scheduling or patient communication system to send a short text after each visit.
- Put a QR code at checkout and in the waiting room that links to your Google review page.
- Keep the message generic. Do not mention the reason for the visit or any health details in the request.
- Many HIPAA compliant review tools can send requests automatically. Check that any tool you use will sign a business associate agreement if it handles patient data.
Email and text templates
Text message template
Thank you for visiting Maple Family Medicine today. We would love to hear about your experience. Share a quick review here: [review link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Email template
Subject: How was your visit with us?
Hello,
Thank you for choosing Maple Family Medicine. Your feedback helps us improve and helps other families find care they can trust. If you have a moment, please share a short review.
Leave a review: [review link]
If you have a concern about your visit, please call our office manager directly so we can help.
These messages mention no health details and offer no reward. They also go to every patient, which keeps you away from review gating.
Use reviews on your website
Add reviews to each doctor’s bio page and to your location pages. Make sure you have the patient’s permission before using a review as a testimonial on your own site, and follow any state rules on testimonials. Helpful patient focused content, such as clear bio pages and condition guides, works well alongside reviews. Our SEO content strategy service can help you plan it, while our local SEO for practices work ties reviews to map rankings.
Privacy and Review Rules for Medical Practices
Healthcare has stricter rules than most industries. This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your compliance officer or a healthcare lawyer about your own situation.
- HIPAA in the US. Even confirming that a reviewer is your patient can be a disclosure of protected health information. The HHS Office for Civil Rights has taken action against practices that revealed patient details while replying to online reviews. The AMA also advises physicians to reply without disclosing any patient information.
- State rules. Some state medical boards have rules on testimonials and advertising. Check yours before using reviews in ads.
- UK. The GMC expects doctors to keep patient information confidential, including online. The CQC rates GP practices in England, and its reports sit alongside patient reviews in shaping trust.
- No review gating. Google does not allow you to screen patients and only send happy ones to review sites.
- No incentives. Do not offer discounts, free services or gifts for reviews.
- United States consumer law. The FTC rule on consumer reviews and testimonials, in force since October 2024, bans fake reviews, paid reviews, suppressing negative reviews and undisclosed reviews from staff.
- UK, Australia and Canada. The CMA under the DMCC Act, the ACCC and the Competition Bureau all treat fake reviews as unlawful. In Australia, AHPRA also limits the use of testimonials in advertising regulated health services.
How to Respond to Patient Reviews
Reply to reviews, but keep replies general. Do not confirm the person was a patient, do not mention dates, conditions or treatments, and move any real discussion offline.
Example reply to a positive review
Thank you for your kind words. Our whole team works hard to make every visit comfortable, and we are glad to hear it shows.
Example reply to a negative review
Thank you for your feedback. We take every concern seriously, but privacy rules prevent us from discussing any details here. Please call our practice manager at our main number so we can listen and help.
Notice that neither reply says “thank you for visiting” or “we are sorry about your treatment”. Those phrases could confirm a patient relationship. A short, warm, general reply is the safest choice.
How to Handle Fake or Unfair Reviews
- Do not reply with details. Even if a review is false, do not argue using information from records.
- Report it. Flag reviews that break site rules, such as fake reviews, spam, hate speech or reviews about the wrong practice.
- Post a general reply. Something like “We cannot discuss any details here. Please contact our office so we can help.”
- Keep notes. Save screenshots and dates.
- Grow honest reviews. A steady stream of real patient reviews is the best defense.
How to Track Review Results
- New reviews per month for each doctor and location
- Average rating on Google, Healthgrades and your booking platform
- Common themes, such as wait times or front desk friendliness
- Calls and booking clicks from Google Business Profile
- New patients who say they found you through reviews
- Local rankings for your main specialty and city
Review themes are useful feedback. If many reviews mention long waits, that is an operations fix that will raise ratings faster than any campaign.
Common Review Mistakes Medical Practices Make
- Replying to reviews with details about a patient’s care.
- Letting doctor profiles on Healthgrades and Vitals show old addresses.
- Only asking for reviews after “good” visits.
- Offering a gift card draw for reviews.
- Ignoring reviews about staff, billing and parking, which patients care about too.
- Having separate Google profiles for doctors and the practice with no clear plan.
For more healthcare directories, see our citation sites for therapists and our general local citation sites list. Running a dental or wellness practice too? Read our guides to dentist review sites and alternative medicine review sites. If you work in healthcare marketing and want to share what works, you can write for us.
FAQs About Doctor Review Sites
What is the most popular doctor review site?
Google has the most doctor reviews overall. Among medical specific sites in the US, Healthgrades, WebMD Care, Vitals and Zocdoc are the most widely used.
Are doctor review sites accurate?
They are useful but not perfect. Reviews show patient experience, such as communication and wait times, more than medical skill. Read many recent reviews across several sites, and check the doctor’s license with the state medical board.
Can doctors respond to online reviews?
Yes, but carefully. In the US, HIPAA means a doctor should not confirm someone is a patient or share any health information in a reply. Keep replies general and invite the person to call the office.
Can a doctor remove a bad review?
Only if the review breaks the site’s rules, for example if it is fake, abusive or about the wrong practice. Report it through the site. Real reviews usually stay up, so a calm general reply is the best option.
How do I get more Google reviews for my medical practice?
Send every patient a short text or email after their visit with a direct Google review link. Add a QR code at checkout. Ask everyone the same way and never offer rewards.
Is it legal to ask patients for reviews?
Yes, asking patients for reviews is allowed in general. The request should not include health details, should go to all patients, and should not offer rewards. Check local rules and use privacy safe tools.
What is the best app to find a good doctor?
Many patients use Zocdoc to find and book doctors, and Healthgrades or Google Maps to compare ratings. Your insurance company’s provider search is also useful for checking who is in network.
Do reviews help doctors rank higher on Google?
Yes. Reviews are one of the signals Google uses for local rankings. A complete Business Profile, consistent listings and steady new reviews together give the best results.
Should each doctor have their own review profile?
On medical sites like Healthgrades and Vitals, each doctor already has a profile. On Google, practices often use one main listing, and some add individual practitioner listings. Follow Google’s guidelines and keep names and addresses consistent.
How often should a medical practice check its reviews?
Check your main sites at least once a week, and set up email alerts so you see new reviews quickly. Replying within a few days shows patients that you listen. A monthly review of themes across all sites helps you spot problems in scheduling, billing or staff training early.
Conclusion
Patients read reviews before they trust a doctor, so your ratings are part of patient care now. Start with Google, then claim Healthgrades, WebMD Care, Vitals, RateMDs and your booking platform. Ask every patient after their visit, reply in a general, privacy safe way, and follow the rules in your country. Small, steady steps will build a reputation that brings in the right patients.
