{
  "schema_version": "1.1",
  "id": "brightlocal-97-percent-read-local-business-reviews-2026",
  "slug": "brightlocal-97-percent-read-local-business-reviews-2026",
  "url": "https://groundedkit.com/claims/brightlocal-97-percent-read-local-business-reviews-2026/",
  "api_url": "https://groundedkit.com/api/claims/brightlocal-97-percent-read-local-business-reviews-2026.json",
  "claim": "97% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses",
  "commonly_cited_as": "\"97% of consumers read reviews\"",
  "verdict": "verified",
  "verdict_definition": "Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.",
  "confidence": "medium",
  "rating": {
    "value": 5,
    "best": 5,
    "worst": 1
  },
  "origin": {
    "publisher": "BrightLocal",
    "title": "Local Consumer Review Survey 2026",
    "year": "2026"
  },
  "quote": "Reviews are a vital part of the business decision-making process, with 97% of consumers reading reviews online. In 2026, 41% of consumers “always” rea",
  "method": "BrightLocal's annual online survey of US consumers about local business reviews.",
  "drift": [
    "'Ever read' (97%) vs 'always read' (41%)",
    "Local businesses only"
  ],
  "interest": "BrightLocal sells local SEO and review-management software.",
  "safe_rephrasing": "BrightLocal's 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey found 97% of consumers read reviews of local businesses and 41% always do; BrightLocal sells review software.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "BrightLocal — Local Consumer Review Survey 2026",
      "url": "https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/",
      "primary": true
    }
  ],
  "kind": "stat_check",
  "as_of": "BrightLocal survey, 2026",
  "last_checked": "2026-10-16",
  "stale": false,
  "date_reviewed": "2026-10-16",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}