When potential clients ask ChatGPT or other AI tools for recommendations—like “best divorce lawyer near me”—the AI doesn’t just pull from Google. Research shows it often references review data from multiple sources.
If your firm only focuses on Google reviews, you could be missing visibility opportunities where AI is pulling its information.
Why Reviews Beyond Google Matter
Google reviews are the backbone of local SEO, but ChatGPT and Bing (which powers much of ChatGPT’s web data) also look at other directories and review platforms. That means if your competitors have a stronger review presence outside Google, they may get recommended before you.
Key Review Platforms for Law Firms
Here are the review sites that carry weight for attorneys:
- Google Business Profile – Still the #1 priority for local SEO and AI citations.
- Facebook – Surprisingly the top review source in many industries and cities.
- Yelp – Still a major player for professional services like law firms.
- Avvo – A well-established platform for legal-specific reviews that ChatGPT frequently surfaces.
- Martindale-Hubbell – Longstanding authority in the legal field, often cited in professional directories.
- Justia – Another legal directory with review functionality and strong domain authority.
- FindLaw – A trusted source for consumers researching attorneys.
- Lawyers.com – Closely tied to Martindale, often referenced in search and AI tools.
How Law Firms Can Leverage This Insight
- Encourage reviews across multiple platforms: Don’t just focus on Google. Build profiles on Avvo, Justia, and Lawyers.com.
- Audit your review presence: Search your own firm in ChatGPT and Bing to see which platforms it references.
- Diversify requests: After a successful case, ask clients to leave reviews on a mix of legal directories—not just one place.
- Keep details consistent: Ensure your firm’s name, address, and phone number match across all platforms to reinforce credibility.
Make Sure Clients See You First
As AI-driven search grows, law firms need to think beyond Google reviews. Building a strong reputation across legal-specific review sites gives your firm a better chance of being cited in ChatGPT answers and other AI-powered search results.
At PointClick, we help attorneys manage reviews and strengthen their presence across all the platforms that matter. Want to make sure your reviews are setting you up for success in both Google and AI search?
