In the Middle East, UAE Consumers Online Reviews play a massive role in shaping buying decisions. Nearly 86% of people in the UAE check Google reviews at least once a month before choosing a place or trusting a business. If you’re running a business in the UAE or across the Gulf, understanding what customers look for in online reviews is essential for staying competitive and building trust.
The UAE has a diverse community, with expats making up about 85% of the population. This creates a mix of cultures and highly digital-savvy customers. People in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates rely heavily on what others say online before they buy—so Gulf businesses must know exactly what expectations they need to meet.
A lot of people in the UAE (more than two-thirds) trust review sites, and 83% say these sites help them decide what to buy. They see these tools as a key part of making choices in all sorts of areas, like hotels, health care, stores, and banks.
But they also expect a lot. UAE consumers don’t just want reviews; they want them to be good.
People in the UAE check reviews for all sorts of things. For example, 44% look at reviews for restaurants and cafes, 30% for banks, 28% for health care, and 27% for cars. Reviews are part of almost every decision, from grabbing a bite to making big money moves.
In the Gulf, people do their homework. Over two-thirds of UAE consumers bought stuff online using their phones, and they spend about 17 days a month just browsing. They read lots of reviews on different sites before buying.
People in the UAE are getting good at spotting fake stuff. There are a lot of fake reviews out there, so they’ve learned to tell what’s real. Also, the UAE has rules about this. Customers are safe from false claims, but they can get in trouble for posting fake or bad reviews. So, people expect reviews to be real and honest.
This means customers want real feedback from real people, but they also know reviews need to be true. The rules about what you can say mean that businesses and reviewers need to stick to the truth.
Details: Saying great service isn’t enough. They want names, dishes, or specific things that show someone has been there.
Good and bad: Reviews that talk about what’s good and what could be better seem more real.
Culture stuff: In the Gulf, reviews that talk about things like family spaces, prayer rooms, or halal food are a plus.
Proof of purchase: Sites that show who bought something or is a real user add trust.
Things change fast in the UAE. New places open all the time, and how good a place is can change fast too. So, new reviews are a must. People in the UAE like brands, but only if they’re great. That means old reviews might not matter if they don’t show what a business is like now.
One good review from six months ago isn’t enough. UAE customers want to see what lots of people say. They want to know if the service is good, the stuff is reliable, and the place is great based on many reviews.
The average American reads about 10 online reviews before trusting a business, with 31% reading more than 10 reviews. Gulf customers do about the same, especially when they’re buying something big.
People in the UAE want businesses to reply fast. About 89% think this is a big deal. This goes for reviews too. If someone leaves a review, good or bad, they want the business to see it and reply fast.
In the Gulf, people care about being friendly and welcoming. So, if you don’t reply to reviews, it’s not just bad business, it’s rude. Businesses that reply fast show they care about what customers think.
being fast isn’t enough. UAE customers can tell if you’re just using a form reply. They want:
Real thanks if the review is good
Plans if the review is bad, showing what the business will do
If you do it right, replying to reviews can show what your brand is all about.
Star ratings are okay, but people in the UAE want more. They want details that help them decide if a place is right for them.
People in the UAE do a lot of searching online. They look at photos and videos in reviews to see if what the business says is true.
People in the UAE don’t just look at one site. Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook have the most reviews that people trust, with Google having 73%. But they also check:
Good businesses in the Gulf are on different sites and keep an eye on them.
A lot of shoppers in the UAE want their orders to arrive in less than two hours. This means they want to see reviews fast too. Reviews need to be easy to see on phones, with fast loading.
The UAE has a mix of people. So, customers want to see reviews from people like them—families, business people, or locals.
Reviews that show they know the culture are better. This means:
English is often used in business, but knowing Arabic helps. Reviews in both English and Arabic show you care about everyone, but most people are okay with English.
Knowing what people in the UAE want from online reviews is one thing. Doing it is another. That’s where helps.
BigBuzz helps businesses understand what customers want and:
If you want to be trusted in the Gulf, you need help managing your reputation.
Be Clear: Be honest and talk about what really happened.
Do It Soon: Leave reviews soon after your experience.
Update If Needed: If things change, update your review.
Use Different Sites: Share your review on the right sites.
Things are changing fast in the Gulf. So, what people want from online reviews will keep changing too. More businesses are using AI, which means reviews will be managed in better ways.
AI Review Help: Businesses will use AI to learn from reviews.
Video Reviews: More people will use videos.
Easy Booking: Reviews will be part of booking systems.
Better Checks: It will be easier to spot fake reviews.
Local Info: You’ll be able to find reviews based on where you are.
In the UAE, online reviews are key for trust.
To meet expectations, you need to be real, quick to reply, respectful, and always trying to get better. If you do, you’ll be more trusted and grow in the Gulf.
If you’re doing business in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman, your online presence is like your store. Take care of it with care, and it will help your business a lot.
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