When someone searches for a business near them, reviews are one of the first things they look at. They show up next to your profile in both Google Maps and Search. And most happy customers won't leave a review on their own: they do it when someone asks and makes it easy.
The good news is that asking is allowed. What Google doesn't allow is certain ways of doing it. Here are both lists.
What You Can Do
- Ask real customers for a review. Google requires that reviews reflect a genuine experience.
- Share a link or a QR code that takes people straight to the review form. You create it from your profile.
- Remind them in person, by text or WhatsApp, by email, or with a QR code at your counter or on the invoice.
- Reply to reviews in a natural way, without turning the reply into a promotion.
What You Can't Do
- Offer incentives. No discounts, gifts, or free services in exchange for a review. Google considers that fake and misleading content.
- Ask only your happy customers. This is called review gating and it goes against the rules. Ask everyone equally.
- Write the review for the customer or tell them what to say. The opinion has to be theirs.
- Pay or trade to change or remove a negative review. Google prohibits that too.
How to Do It, Step by Step
Get your link
In your Google Business Profile, open “Read reviews” and tap share. Copy the link or download the QR code.
Ask when the job is done
Right after the service, while it is fresh, is when customers remember most easily. Ask everyone, not just the ones who smiled.
Make it easy
A message with the link, or a QR code at the counter or on the invoice. The fewer the steps, the more reviews.
Reply to every review
Say thanks and mention something specific about their experience. Don't use the reply to offer promotions.
A Text Message That Follows the Rules
"Hi [name], thank you for choosing us. If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate your honest feedback on Google: [link]. Thank you!"
Notice what it leaves out: it offers nothing in return, doesn't ask for a specific rating, and doesn't tell the customer what to write.
If you also want your profile and your page to work together, see why your website isn't showing up on Google and the Google magnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a customer a discount in exchange for a review?
No. Google treats offering discounts, gifts, or free services in exchange for reviews as fake and misleading content, and prohibits it. Ask without offering anything in return.
Can I ask only the customers who were happy?
You should not. Filtering who you ask, known as review gating, goes against Google’s rules. If you ask for reviews, ask all your customers equally.
Do my customers need a Google account to leave a review?
Yes. According to Google’s help, the customer must be signed in to a Google Account. They can create one with a non-Gmail email address.
Where do I find the link to request reviews?
In your Google Business Profile, open “Read reviews” and tap the share icon (Get more reviews). There you can copy the link or download the QR code. Button names can change.
Sources: Google Business Profile Help: tips to get more reviews · Google Business Profile Help: create a link or QR code to request reviews. Google can change its policies, so confirm in its official help pages.
To go further: what your Google Business Profile is and what it's for.
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