Google review monitoring: a simple, traceable process.
CloutAlert helps you centralize reviews and respond fast, without complexity.
Setup, step by step
From creating your account to your first reply, here is what actually happens and what you need to do at each step.
- 1
Create your account and organization
Time : A few minutesWhat you do
You create your account, then invite the people who will reply to reviews if needed (manager, site managers, team).
What CloutAlert does
CloutAlert creates your organization, an isolated space where each user has access based on their role. Both plans include a 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
- 2
Connect your Google Business Profile
Time : A few minutesWhat you do
You sign in with the Google account that manages your profile, authorize access, then choose the location(s) to track.
What CloutAlert does
The connection uses OAuth: no password is shared, and you can revoke access at any time from your Google account.
- 3
Retrieve your reviews and their history
Time : AutomaticWhat you do
Nothing in particular: your reviews appear in CloutAlert.
What CloutAlert does
CloutAlert syncs your existing reviews and their history, then keeps the list up to date as new reviews come in.
- 4
Receive alerts
Time : With every new reviewWhat you do
You check the alert and decide whether it needs a priority reply.
What CloutAlert does
CloutAlert notifies you of a new review, a low rating or a drop in your average rating, and keeps an alert history.
- 5
Reply with an AI draft
Time : At your own paceWhat you do
You generate a draft, review it, add a detail specific to the review and post it.
What CloutAlert does
The AI suggests a reply in a professional, human tone. It is never published without your approval.
- 6
Track progress
Time : OngoingWhat you do
You check the trend of your rating and review volume whenever you like, location by location.
What CloutAlert does
The dashboard shows rating, volume and 7- and 30-day trends. The Pro plan adds competitor tracking (FAST every day, FULL every week) and a CloutScore recalculated daily.
What an alert looks like
When a review comes in, the alert gives you what you need to decide quickly: the location, the rating, an excerpt of the review and the option to prepare a reply.
Fictional example to illustrate the principle. The actual layout in the app may differ.
Market Street Bistro (example)
“Waited over 30 minutes on Saturday lunchtime, a shame because the food was good.”
AI-suggested reply draft, to review before posting
Hello, thank you for taking the time to write, and we're sorry about the wait on Saturday lunchtime. We're glad you enjoyed the food. We're reviewing how we organize weekend service: feel free to write to us to tell us more.
A simple day-to-day routine
Here is the routine we recommend: short, regular check-ins rather than long catch-up sessions. Adapt it to your review volume.
Every day
Handle alerts: reply first to low ratings, within 24 to 48 hours, and thank positive reviewers.
Every week
Check the trend of your rating and review volume over 7 and 30 days. On the Pro plan, go through the full competitor analysis.
Every month
Spot recurring themes in reviews and pick one or two concrete actions. On the Pro plan, use the CloutScore and the monthly action plan.
What you get with each plan
Starter
- Review sync with full history
- Alerts: new review, low rating, drop in average rating
- AI reply drafts, always editable
- Dashboard: rating, volume, 7-day / 30-day trends
Pro
- Everything in Starter
- Daily FAST analysis of 4 competitors
- Weekly FULL analysis of 8 competitors
- Competitor alerts and AI summary with priority actions
- Daily CloutScore and monthly action plan
Frequently asked questions about getting started
How long does it take to get started?
Creating your account and connecting your Google Business Profile takes a few minutes. Your reviews and their history are then retrieved automatically.
Do I need technical skills?
No. You just sign in with the Google account that manages your Business Profile and authorize access. Nothing to install.
Can I invite my team?
Yes. You can invite users to your organization, with role-based access, so everyone handles the reviews that concern them.
What happens if I revoke Google access?
The connection uses OAuth and stays under your control: you can revoke access at any time from your Google account. CloutAlert can then no longer sync the reviews of that profile.
Are replies published without my approval?
No. AI-suggested replies are drafts: you review them, edit them and decide to post them.
Can I change plans along the way?
Yes, you can switch from Starter to Pro, or the other way around, at any time.
Related guides
Practical resources on managing Google reviews.
GDPR and customer reviews: best practices for local businesses
Google reviews and GDPR: what personal data reviews contain, what never to write in a reply, and how to handle access, retention and customer requests.
Review management software: 8 criteria to choose the right one (checklist)
How to choose customer review management software: platforms covered, alerts, AI-assisted replies, teamwork, multi-location, competitor tracking, data and pricing. Checklist and questions to ask.
Google Maps competitor analysis: a simple 5-step method
How to analyze your local competitors on Google Maps: pick the right businesses, compare rating, review volume and pace, spot recurring themes and turn them into concrete actions.