【2026 Latest Survey】Google Search Dominates Restaurant Discovery with 64.7% Usage; Consumer Reliance on Review Ratings Declines – Report Reveals Shift Toward Content-Centric Decision Making

IxYas Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takashi Naito), provider of the AI-powered store information and analytics platform "STOREPAD," has released a new report titled "2026 In-Depth Research on How Consumers Search and Choose Restaurants," detailing consumer behavior and evolving attitudes toward online reviews.

The survey revealed that approximately two out of three consumers use Google Search when looking for restaurants. In contrast, the proportion of people referring to review "ratings" has declined year-on-year, with a growing emphasis on specific "review content" and "responses from stores." The report analyzes the need for effective customer acquisition strategies and operational efficiency, enabling restaurants to succeed despite limited on-site resources in an era where consumers cross-reference multiple search platforms.

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Survey Highlights

Primary Information Sources for Restaurant Discovery: Google Search Used by Nearly Two in Three

When asked, "Which information sources do you use when searching for restaurants?" over half of respondents selected "Google Search (64.7%)," followed by "Tabelog (43.7%)" and "Google Maps restaurant information (38.3%)," which ranked highest.

Consumer Attitudes Toward Reviews: About Half Refer to Review Ratings

On the question, "Do you refer to the star ratings on review sites or Google Maps?" the combined responses of "refer to it a lot (13.9%)" and "somewhat refer to it (35.4%)" totaled 49.3%, indicating that about half of consumers still consider star ratings. However, year-on-year comparison data shows a declining trend across all age groups in reliance on numerical ratings (e.g., among those in their 30s, usage dropped from 62.0% in 2025 to 55.2% in 2026). As consumer dependence on numerical scores stabilizes, textual information such as detailed review content and responses from stores may be playing a more critical role in final visit decisions.

Additional Analysis Topics Covered in the Report

The full version of the report includes the above highlights and additional detailed data offering insights for restaurant operators.

【By Age Group】Gaps in Information Sources and Trust Levels

While "Google Search" leads across all age groups, younger users (20s) frequently use "Instagram" alongside other platforms, whereas those aged 30 and above place higher trust in platforms like "Tabelog," highlighting generational differences.

【Cross-Platform Search Behavior】About Two in Three Use Multiple Sites

64.3% of users cross-reference multiple websites when gathering information, demonstrating the prevalence of multi-platform research.

【Behavior of Single-Source Users】Which Media Do Those Who Use Only One Source Rely On?

Among the 35.7% of users who rely on only one source, "Google Search (43.0%)" is the most commonly used, while few users depend solely on social media platforms.

Free Download of the Survey Report

The complete report summarizing the survey findings is available for free download via the URL below.

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Survey Overview

Method: Online questionnaire survey

Target: ① 3,000 men and women aged 21–59 in the Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba), with 750 respondents per age group ② Additional survey targeting 300 individuals who dined out at least once a month and explored new restaurants at least once a month within the past three months

Date: May 2026

Request for Citation

When republishing this press release, please credit "Survey by IxYas Corporation" and include the article URL.

About STOREPAD

STOREPAD is a store information distribution and analytics platform that integrates with various domestic and international restaurant marketing media. It enables one-click publishing across multiple channels—including map apps, portal sites, inbound-focused media, SNS, and websites—and supports review analysis to reduce operational workload, improve customer acquisition, and achieve effective MEO (Map Engine Optimization). STOREPAD helps drive success in store operations.

▶ Service Website: https://storepad.jp/

▶ Request Materials: https://storepad.jp/report/service

Company Overview

Company Name: IxYas Corporation

Representative: Takashi Naito, President & CEO

Address: 10F, Ginza Toyo Building, 1-15-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Company Website: https://ixyas.co.jp/