If you still think reviews are about reputation, this is not for you.

In 2026, Google uses reviews as ranking data.
Sentiment ratios, review velocity, place topics, and hyperlocal language now decide who owns the Top 3 and who disappears.

This protocol breaks down the exact system Google uses to read reviews and turn them into local rankings.

Inside, you’ll see:

• Why review volume alone is useless

• The minimum review profile required to enter the Top 3

• How Google extracts keywords and place topics from reviews

• How sentiment ratios silently block rankings

• Why do different ZIP codes require different review strategies

• How anonymous reviews changed velocity and filtering

• How to control review growth without triggering penalties

• How reviews, categories, and website content must align

  
  This is not a checklist.

It’s the same framework used to diagnose, control, and dominate local rankings in competitive markets going into 2026.

Read it once, and you’ll never look at reviews the same way again.