For years, online reviews have been the gold standard of social proof. But AI recommendations are changing how consumers make decisions.
The Review Paradigm
Reviews work because they provide social proof. "500 people gave this restaurant 4.5 stars" tells you something. You read individual reviews to get details and make your decision.
The AI Recommendation Paradigm
When you ask AI for a recommendation, it synthesizes all available information - including reviews - and gives you an answer. The user never sees the individual reviews. They just see the recommendation.
This means the AI is making the decision that reviews used to help consumers make themselves.
What Influences AI Recommendations?
Reviews still matter - they're one input into the AI's decision. But so is your website content, your online presence, how you're described in directories, and many other factors.
A business with fewer reviews but excellent website content and directory presence might get recommended over a high-review competitor with a poor web presence.
The Implication
You can't just focus on collecting reviews anymore. You need a comprehensive digital presence that makes AI platforms confident in recommending you.
This is a broader challenge - but also an opportunity for businesses willing to think holistically about their online presence.