google-reviews git:20260325.3d84f9cA

Immutable. This exact content is served forever at /api/v1/blob/4fa4d2c8af65cb22.

---
name: google-reviews
description: >
  Fetch Google Maps ratings, review counts, and rating distributions for any business
  using the DataForSEO API. Use when asked to check Google reviews, compare business
  ratings, audit Google Maps presence, or analyze competitor reviews.
---

# Google Reviews

Fetch Google Maps review data for any business using the [DataForSEO](https://dataforseo.com) API.

## Prerequisites

- **DataForSEO account** with `DATAFORSEO_LOGIN` and `DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD` environment variables

## Usage

### Fetch Reviews via DataForSEO API

```bash
# Search for a business on Google Maps
curl -s -X POST "https://api.dataforseo.com/v3/serp/google/maps/live/advanced" \
  -u "${DATAFORSEO_LOGIN}:${DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '[{
    "keyword": "Business Name",
    "location_name": "City, State, Country",
    "language_code": "en",
    "depth": 1
  }]'
```

### Extract Key Data

From the API response, extract:
- **Business name** (`title`)
- **Rating** (`rating.value`) — e.g., 4.2
- **Review count** (`rating.votes_count`) — e.g., 677
- **Rating distribution** (`rating.rating_distribution`) — breakdown by 1-5 stars
- **Address** — full street address
- **Category** — business type (e.g., "Car dealer", "Restaurant")
- **Website URL**

### Batch Mode

For comparing multiple businesses, loop through a list and collect results into a markdown comparison table:

| Business | Rating | Reviews | Category |
|----------|--------|---------|----------|
| Business A | 4.5 | 1,234 | Restaurant |
| Business B | 3.8 | 567 | Restaurant |

## Output Format

Return results as structured JSON for single lookups, or as a markdown table for batch comparisons. Always include:
- Business name
- Star rating
- Total review count
- Rating distribution (1-5 star breakdown)
- Address and category

## Use Cases

- **Reputation audit** — check a client's Google rating before a proposal
- **Competitor analysis** — compare ratings across competing businesses
- **Local SEO** — monitor Google Maps presence and review velocity
- **Due diligence** — research businesses before partnerships