Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about BusinessRate scores, rankings, and how to use our platform to understand your business performance.

Last updated November 4, 2026

Benchmark Score

The Benchmark Score is a comprehensive 0-300 performance metric that goes beyond simple star ratings. It analyzes your business performance against local competitors using advanced Google review data, combining recent performance (90 days), historical reviews, and review quality. For a more in-depth look at how the Benchmark Score works, visit our How It Works page.
The score combines three components: Momentum Score (33% weight) analyzing the past 90 days, Endurance Score (60% weight) covering your complete history, and Review Quality Score (7% weight) looking at the detail and tone of reviews, how recently the business was reviewed, and whether the owner replies to negative reviews. For a more in-depth look at how the Benchmark Score works, visit our How It Works page.
Scores range from 0-300. Generally, 240-300 is excellent, 180-239 is good, 120-179 is fair, and below 120 needs improvement. Your score is competitive within your local market and category, so context matters more than the absolute number. For a more in-depth look at how the Benchmark Score works, visit our How It Works page.

Benchmark Scores are updated once per month. This monthly update cycle ensures scores reflect meaningful changes in review patterns while providing stability for business planning and competitive analysis.

Rankings & Competition

Rankings compare businesses within the same category and geographic area. We only rank you against similar businesses in your local market, ensuring fair and relevant competition. Rankings update monthly as scores change. View current rankings for your area. A business cannot pay to change its rank.

Each business is ranked within its primary category in every area it belongs to, from its ZIP code and city to its county, metro area, state and the whole country.

Yes! You can view rankings for your category and location to see how you compare against local competitors. This helps identify market leaders and opportunities for improvement. Explore rankings in your area.

Only businesses with sufficient Google review data are included in rankings. New businesses or those with very few reviews may not appear until they have enough data for accurate scoring.

Data & Reviews

All review data comes directly from Google Maps and Google Business Profile. We analyze publicly available information to calculate scores and provide insights, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

We use all the Google reviews we have collected for your business. The Momentum Score focuses on the past 90 days, and the Endurance Score uses the full history we have collected.

Currently, BusinessRate focuses exclusively on Google reviews as they represent the largest and most influential review platform for local businesses. Google reviews are what most customers see when discovering businesses.

We only use publicly available data from Google Maps. We don't access private business information or require access to your Google Business Profile account. All data processing follows strict privacy and security standards.

Using BusinessRate

Use our search feature to find your business by name, address, or category. If you have a mailing with an access code, you can enter that code directly for instant access to your business profile and scores. Start searching for your business here.

If your business has a Google Business Profile listing with reviews, it should appear in our system. If you can't find it, the business may be new, have very few reviews, or need time for our data to refresh.

No account is required to search and view basic information about businesses and rankings. You can explore BusinessRate scores and compare local businesses freely without registration.

Yes, basic access to BusinessRate scores and rankings is completely free. You can search for any business, view scores, and explore local market rankings without cost. Being ranked is free too, and any award product is optional.

For Business Owners

Focus on providing excellent customer service to earn positive reviews. Encourage satisfied customers to leave Google reviews, respond professionally to all feedback, and maintain consistent quality over time. Your full review history carries the most weight, and your last 90 days count too.

BusinessRate displays data from Google Business Profile. To update your business information, hours, or other details, you'll need to make changes through your Google Business Profile account, which will then be reflected in BusinessRate.

Your score is recalculated each month from your Google reviews, so it changes when you get new reviews (their star ratings, length and tone all count), when older reviews drop out of the last 90 days, as time passes since your most recent review, and when you reply, or don't, to negative reviews. Competitors don't affect your score, only your rank.

BusinessRate provides comprehensive insights into your review performance, competitive positioning, and market trends. Additional detailed analytics and reporting features may be available for business owners.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch with us and we'll help you understand how BusinessRate can benefit your business.

Try BusinessRate →Contact Support