"Rumour Has It" garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the lyrics, its catchiness, Tedder's production, and Adele's vocal performance.

"[4] Adele explained that the song was not inspired by the media, but was aimed at her own friends, who frequently spread rumours about her break-up with her boyfriend: "People might think it's about blogs and magazines and papers, but it's not.

"[6] On 28 October 2011, during an interview with Billboard, Columbia Records revealed that "Rumour Has It" would be released as the third US single from the album and serviced to pop and adult contemporary radio.

Club found a "persuasive backbeat", comparing the song to Adele's earlier material during her first studio album 19 (2008) due to their similar instrumentation consisting of piano and guitars.

[14] Ian Wade of BBC Online wrote that the song "channels the avenging rock'n'roll soul of Wanda Jackson.

"[15] Tom Townshend of MSN Music found a "similar primal stomp" to "Rolling in the Deep" (2010) which made a "pacey, hypnotic, funk, interrupted by sublime symphonic blues.

While reviewing 21, AllMusic's Matt Collar concluded that "Rumour Has It" and "He Won't Go" are "terrifically catchy, booty-shaking numbers, and exactly the kind of songs you want and expect from Adele.

Club wrote that the song was "overpowering",[14] while Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly praised Adele's voice comparing it with The Shangri-Las.

"[20] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times found "hollow counterpoint vocals, and a daringly morbid bridge that jerks away from the song's rhythm, before once again acceding to it.

"[21] Matthew Cole of Slant Magazine concluded that when Adele sings an adventurous arrangement like the "spooky Tin Pan Alley blues" on "Rumour Has It", she "sounds every bit the phenomenon the press has made her out to be.

With its banging drums, infectious beats and cheeky lyrics, you can't help but tap your feet to this up-tempo number from Miss Adkins.

"[26] John Murphy of musicOMH wrote that "Rumour Has It has more sass, a brilliant blues/soul anthem with more fantastic drumming and a cute lyrical twist at the end.

"[30] Sputnikmusic's Joseph Viney chose the song as the best on the album, praising its "pounding drums, sweet vocal harmonies and a tale of love both won and lost with some alacrity.

[37] Amber Riley, Naya Rivera and Heather Morris sang a mash-up of "Someone like You" and "Rumour Has It" during Glee's episode "Mash Off" which aired on 15 November 2011.

[45][46] As of March 2015, it remains the ninth best-selling Glee Cast recording in the show's history, having sold 413,000 copies in the United States.

[52] On the episode, after practicing her dance moves, McPhee's character Karen and her fellow "Marilyn" actors take the stage to rock out to the song.

[54] The X Factor Indonesia winner Fatin Shidqia Lubis performed this song on Mentor's choice episode on 22 February 2013.

In 2017, Tedder's band, OneRepublic, covered the song on their 16th Annual Honda Civic Tour with Fitz and the Tantrums and James Arthur.