VouchedPros Research

The Contractor Trust Gap

A 4.8 on Google doesn't mean a clean record. We compared Google, Yelp, and BBB signals across local contractors — here's how often they disagree.

Based on 4,200 local providers in our corpus with cross-platform rating data. Figures are anonymized aggregates — no individual business is identified.
4.85
Avg Google rating (of 5)
3.37
Avg Yelp rating (of 5)
1.47★
Avg Google–Yelp gap (both on a 1–5 scale)
11.3%
run >1★ below Google on Yelp even after the typical platform gap
0.4%
of 4.5★+ Google pros carry a low/failing BBB grade
64.8%
of BBB-listed pros are accredited

Why the ratings disagree

A high star rating on one platform doesn't mean a clean record on another. Google and Yelp both use a 1–5 scale, yet their ratings diverge by an average of 1.47 stars. Some of that is structural — Yelp runs systematically lower than Google for the same businesses (its review filtering and more-critical user base put it about 1.5 stars below on average), which is itself a reason not to trust one source. But even after that baseline, 11.3% of contractors fall more than a full star below it on Yelp — a genuine red flag. And 0.4% of contractors with stellar Google ratings carry a low or failing grade at the Better Business Bureau. This is why we built the Vouched Score — it blends Google, Yelp, and BBB signals with an editorial review instead of trusting any single source.

Methodology. We aggregate publicly available Google, Yelp, and BBB signals for providers in our directory. Google and Yelp are both 1–5 scales (Yelp displays in half-star steps); because Yelp rates systematically lower, the "gap" is reported as raw divergence and as the share of businesses worse on Yelp than the typical platform offset (median Google−Yelp) by more than a star. "Low/failing BBB grade" means C or below. Aggregates exclude providers missing a given signal. Ratings are point-in-time and change frequently.
n = 4,200 providers · Reviewed 2026-06-30.
Educational content — not professional advice.

The information on this page is provided "as is" for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied on as such. We do not warrant that the information is accurate, complete, or current — facts, rates, regulations, and program details change frequently and may differ from what you read here.

Verify any specific claim with the cited authority before acting on it. For decisions that depend on the accuracy of the information, consult a qualified professional.

Provider names, brand names, product names, programs, and standards are mentioned for editorial purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee. This educational content is provided to you free of charge; you owe us no fee for accessing or acting on it, and — in consideration of receiving it without charge — to the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from your use of or reliance on this information, including any error, omission, outdated statement, or AI-generated inaccuracy. See our Terms of Service §8 for the full waiver.

Researched and authored with AI assistance. Page content is not collected from visitor input and is not used to train external AI models. By using this site you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.