Review sources are the platforms where your customer already earns reviews. Connecting them brings those reviews into the dashboard automatically so you can reply, analyse performance, and display them in widgets.
The main thing to understand is that not every source offers the same level of functionality. Google and Facebook are the strongest. Most other sources are great for syncing and display, but more limited for replies and automation.
Where to connect sources
Go to `Connect -> Integrations -> Sources`. From there you can connect Google, Facebook, Yelp, Trustpilot, and many more. Some sources are marked as Pro and depend on the customer plan.
Understand the two Google connection methods
Grant Access is the recommended option because it connects the Business Profile through the official Google sign-in flow. Public Access is faster to set up, but it is mainly a lighter connection for link generation and basic review visibility.
Google deep linking needs one important clarification on mobile. The Google Maps app can open the business profile directly, but it cannot jump straight into the review form section automatically. That is still often the better mobile experience because customers are more likely to already be signed into the app than in a mobile browser.
- Desktop review links can open the Google review form directly
- Mobile deep links can open the Google Maps app, but not directly into the reviews section
- If mobile deep linking is off, the standard Google review URL still works fine and can take the customer to the review form in the browser
| Method | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Access | Production use and full control | Automatic syncing, direct replies, auto-respond, AI suggestions, feedback forms, and Google performance metrics |
| Public Access | Testing, demos, or when the customer cannot sign in yet | Review links, feedback forms, deep links, and more limited syncing without direct replies or auto-respond |
Use Google mobile deep linking when opening the app is more important than landing on the exact review form immediately. If the cleanest direct form URL matters more, the standard non-deep-link route is still a good default.
Facebook and the wider source mix
Facebook also supports direct sign-in and is one of the few sources that supports syncing, direct replies, auto-respond, AI suggestions, and feedback form usage in one place.
Most other sources use a simpler path-based connection. You enter the profile path or URL, let the platform sync the reviews, and then use those reviews in dashboards, widgets, analytics, and reporting.
- Google Grant Access and Facebook are the only sources that support direct replies and auto-respond inside the platform
- Google and Facebook are also the only sources with mobile app deep linking
- Many other sources still support deep links on desktop and can still appear inside feedback forms if they have a public write-review page
Pick the right source strategy
| Source type | What it is good for | Limits to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Google Grant Access | The strongest all-round setup for most local businesses | Requires the customer to sign in with the right Google account |
| Google Public Access | Fast setup when sign-in is not possible yet | Limited syncing and no direct replies or auto-respond |
| Strong second source with replies and automations | Depends on page permissions and Facebook session health | |
| Path-based review platforms | Great for sync, widgets, reports, and review-source breadth | Usually no direct replies and no auto-respond |
| Job or booking-tied platforms | Useful for syncing proof from niche platforms | Often no public review URL, so they cannot be used in feedback forms |
Sync times and custom sources
- Paid plans usually sync every hour
- Lifetime deal plans usually sync every three hours
- Facebook syncs every twelve hours
- Custom Sources are available for platforms that are not in the built-in list
Widgets need connected sources. If no sources are connected, there are no reviews to display.
Common source issues
- `Auth Required` usually means a Google or Facebook token has expired and needs to be re-authenticated
- `Failed` usually points to a changed profile URL, a temporary platform issue, or an API limit
- `Review source limit reached` means the customer plan needs a higher source allowance
- Some platforms such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zillow, G2, Checkatrade, and WebMD use bot protection, so short sync delays can happen from time to time