How many of your last 80 reviews did you answer?
We measured four Bodrum restaurants' Google listings on the same day with the same method: zero owner replies on the last 80 reviews. The rival next door answered 79 of 80 and had the highest rating in the area.
Four venues, 1,745 reviews in total, zero replies in the last 320. Competitors measured the same day: 79/80 and 75/80, both top-rated (4.7–4.8 vs our 4.1–4.5). An 878-review meyhane trailed a 105-review rival.
Why replies matter: prominence, freshness signal, review flow, and the reader's decision. Why owners don't: time, not knowing what to write, and unclaimed listings.
Fix: 43 reply templates by review type (no staff names, no discounts, no arguing), clear the last 3 months, then 48-hour rule; printable QR review card; never trade incentives for reviews.