# How can you get more Google reviews? Methods and templates

To get more Google reviews, ask genuine customers for honest feedback once their experience is complete and provide a direct link to your review page. Choose an appropriate time, keep the request brief and make sure the process follows Google’s guidelines by avoiding incentives, pressure and selective requests to satisfied customers.

### Key Takeaways

- Google allows businesses to ask genuine customers for reviews, but not to offer incentives, apply pressure or ask only satisfied customers.
- Suitable channels include personal requests, email, SMS, QR codes, email signatures, social media and your website.
- The best time to ask is once the service has been completed, while the experience is still fresh.
- A good request is short, neutral and links directly to your Google review page.
- A defined workflow with an objective trigger, templates and a one-off reminder makes the process repeatable.

## Why is it worth getting more Google reviews?

Reviews give potential customers first-hand insights into a business and can help them make a more informed decision. Existing customers can therefore act as [testimonials](https://www.ionos.de/digitalguide/online-marketing/verkaufen-im-internet/testimonial/). Google lists **relevance, distance and prominence** as the main factors that influence local search results. The number of reviews and positive ratings can contribute to prominence and may improve local ranking, but they do not guarantee a particular position in the local pack.

For businesses, reviews serve several purposes:

- They make experiences with products and services visible.
- Number, recency and distribution give an impression of how often customers interact with the business.
- Recurring comments highlight strengths and potential areas for improvement.
- Professional responses signal that feedback is taken seriously.

A complete [Google Business Profile](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/search-engine-marketing/what-is-google-my-business/) forms the basis for managing your listing. If you do not have one yet, you should first [register a Google Business Profile](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/search-engine-marketing/register-your-business-on-google/). Reviews are most effective when they form part of a broader [local SEO](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/search-engine-marketing/local-seo-the-basics-and-tips/) strategy that also includes accurate business information and good customer service.

## What do Google’s guidelines allow?

Google allows businesses to ask customers for reviews and to share a **review link or QR code** from their Business Profile. Reviews must be based on genuine experiences, and requests should not influence the rating or content of the review.

The following are not permitted in particular:

- Money, discounts, gifts, competition entries or other benefits in exchange for a review
- Paid, fabricated or repeatedly published reviews
- Pressure or instructions regarding the star rating
- Requirements for employees to obtain a certain number of reviews
- Requests for customers to include specific content in their review
- Organised campaigns intended to artificially increase or decrease ratings
- Requests to change or remove a negative review in exchange for an incentive
- Selectively asking only customers who are expected to leave positive reviews

Instead, use an objective criterion to decide when to ask customers for feedback, such as the completion of a job or receipt of an order. Google also notes that a mix of positive and negative feedback can appear more trustworthy.

Note The communication channel must also comply with data protection and electronic marketing rules. In the UK, an email or SMS sent solely to request genuine customer feedback may not constitute direct marketing if it contains no promotional content. If the message also includes marketing content, however, the [Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/what-are-pecr/ "What are PECR?") (PECR) generally require consent for messages to individuals, subject to a limited exception for existing customers where specific conditions are met. Where personal data is processed, businesses must also comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, including requirements relating to lawful, fair and transparent processing. If you are unsure, have your specific process reviewed legally.

## Which channels can you use to ask for Google reviews?

Businesses can encourage customers to leave a Google review, provided they follow the relevant rules. There are several ways to ask for reviews, each involving a different level of effort and offering different advantages when it comes to getting more Google reviews.

### Personal request

A personal request works well immediately after a positive interaction. Staff should not ask for a five-star rating, but simply invite customers to share honest feedback. Customers should also have the option to leave their review later rather than feeling pressured to do so on the spot. A QR code on a small card can make the process easier and help generate more Google reviews.

**Example:** ‘Thank you very much for your feedback. If you’d also like to share your experience on Google, you can find our review link here’.

### Email after purchase or completed job

A short follow-up email can be sent after a documented purchase or completed job. Only use contact details that have been collected lawfully and make sure the message complies with the rules on electronic marketing. A clear [call to action (CTA)](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/what-is-call-to-action-cta/) can link directly to the review page, making it easy for customers to leave feedback.

**Example:** ‘Thank you for your order. How was your experience with us? You can leave an honest Google review via this link: \[Google review link\]’

### SMS or messenger

Short messages are only suitable if the channel can be used lawfully and customers can reasonably expect to be contacted in this way. Keep the message brief and avoid unnecessary attachments or additional information.

**Example:** ‘Thank you for your visit. Would you like to share your experience on Google? \[Short link\]’

### QR code on a receipt or business card

Google provides a QR code for requesting reviews through the Business Profile. This can be used on receipts, business cards or other printed materials. Add a short, neutral note so customers know where the code leads and what they can expect after scanning it.

**Example:** ‘How was your visit? Scan the QR code to share your feedback on Google’.

### Link in the email signature

A discreet link in a professional email signature stays visible without requiring a separate review request. This is particularly useful for people who regularly communicate with customers and want to provide an unobtrusive way to leave feedback.

**Example:** ‘Had an experience with us? \[Leave a Google review\]’

### Social media

A general post can remind customers that they have the option to leave a review. Avoid linking the request to a competition or using wording that focuses only on positive experiences.

**Example:** ‘Have you used our service? Feel free to share your experience via our Google review link’.

### Website

Place a review link on a contact or service page and clearly indicate that it leads to Google. Do not use a prior satisfaction survey to decide who sees the link or who is invited to leave a review.

**Example:** ‘Share your experience and help others make an informed choice. \[Leave a Google review\]’

Tip You can also use your own website to [collect customer reviews and ratings](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/website-ratings-why-are-they-so-important/#content-welche-arten-von-bewertungen-fuer-websites-gibt-es) outside of Google, for example by allowing customers to rate individual products or content. Star ratings for eligible products may appear in Google search results. However, reviews of a business displayed on that business’s own website are generally not eligible for Google’s star review feature.

## When is the best time to ask for a Google review?

The best time to ask is **once the service has been completed**, while the experience is still fresh in the customer’s mind. Avoid sending a request while a complaint or other issue remains unresolved. However, whether a customer receives a review request should not depend on whether they have previously expressed satisfaction.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Industry</th>
      <th>Suitable time</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Trades</td>
      <td>After the job has been accepted or any follow-up work has been completed</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hospitality</td>
      <td>Shortly after the visit</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>E-commerce</td>
      <td>After delivery and a reasonable period of use</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Consulting and services</td>
      <td>After a completed appointment or milestone, regardless of whether the feedback has been positive or critical</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Health-related services</td>
      <td>After the appointment, with particular attention to confidentiality and professional regulations</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

For longer projects, a clearly defined milestone may be more suitable than waiting until the very end. Set an appropriate point in the customer journey for each type of service and review the response rate to see whether the timing works well.

## How should you word a good review request?

A good request lowers the hurdle without influencing the review:

1. **Keep it brief:** Explain in a few sentences what it’s about.
2. **Ask directly:** Use a clear request instead of a long piece of advertising copy.
3. **Keep it neutral:** Ask for their honest experience, not for a positive review.
4. **Make it one click:** Link directly to the review function.
5. **Don’t mention a star rating:** Don’t make any specifications or put anyone under pressure.
6. **Say thanks:** Thank them for the job and for the time they voluntarily invest.

A complete template might look like this:

**Subject: How was your experience with \[Company\]?**

Thank you for choosing \[Company\]. If you’d like, you can share your honest experience on Google using the link below. Your feedback can help others make an informed choice and helps us improve our service.

\[Google review link\]

Thank you for your time.

## How can AI help with review requests?

AI can analyse existing data that may be used lawfully and suggest suitable **times, channels and text variants**. It can adapt templates to the type of service or language, prepare reminders based on defined rules and summarise response rates. These systems can also group incoming reviews by topic or [answer Google reviews with AI](https://www.ionos.de/digitalguide/online-marketing/verkaufen-im-internet/google-bewertungen-beantworten/).

People remain responsible for checking the audience logic, legal basis, compliance with guidelines, tone and approval before anything is sent. AI should not use satisfaction forecasts to request public reviews only from people it expects to be enthusiastic. Personal data should be processed only for a specific purpose and limited to what is necessary.

## How do you set up a request workflow?

Set up a clear process so that your review requests follow a well-thought-out system and are as efficient and successful as possible.

1. **Define the trigger**: Decide which factual event triggers the request, such as acceptance, end of the appointment or delivery. The trigger must not depend on an expected positive review.
2. **Check channel and legal basis**: Choose personal contact, website, QR code, email or SMS to suit the type of contact. Especially for electronic messages, document the legal basis on which you are using the address.
3. **Prepare templates and review link**: Create a short, neutral template for each channel. Generate the official link or QR code in your Google Business Profile and test it on both mobile and desktop devices.
4. **Define follow-up rule**: If the chosen contact method is permissible, a one-off reminder can make sense. Stop sending further messages after a review, objection or unsubscribe. Frequent reminders create pressure and harm the customer experience.
5. **Measure results**: Track sent requests, link clicks, new reviews, response rate and objections. Do not store sensitive content unnecessarily and do not try to match individual people to a public review unless this is genuinely required.

## Which mistakes can prevent you from getting more Google reviews?

- **Offering incentives:** Discounts, gifts or other rewards in exchange for reviews violate Google’s guidelines.
- **Only approaching satisfied customers:** Review gating distorts the overall picture and is not permitted.
- **Asking too late:** After several weeks, customers may no longer remember the experience clearly enough to leave detailed feedback.
- **Making the process complicated:** Sending customers to a general homepage creates unnecessary extra steps compared with a direct review link.
- **Putting customers under pressure:** Asking for a specific star rating or sending repeated requests can undermine the voluntary nature of reviews.
- **Overlooking legal requirements:** Unlawful emails or SMS messages can lead to complaints and legal consequences.
- **Not responding to reviews:** Failing to reply means missing an opportunity to engage publicly with customer feedback.

If a review violates the guidelines, companies can [delete or report the Google review](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/delete-bad-google-reviews/). However, a factually critical review is not a violation of the guidelines solely because of its content.

## Which tools can help with review management?

The right software can support effective [reputation management](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/what-does-reputation-management-mean/):

- [Email marketing software](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/e-mail/e-mail-marketing/e-mail-marketing-software-by-comparison/) can automate messages and reminders.
- Specialised review tools can create review links or QR codes and help track request workflows.
- Integrated reputation management platforms combine review requests, monitoring, responses and multiple review sources in one place.

When choosing a tool, pay particular attention to data protection, straightforward review requests and sensible automation. Features for reminders, performance tracking and centralised review management can also be useful. The tool should not encourage review gating.

The [IONOS AI Reputation Manager](https://www.ionos.co.uk/momentum/ai-reputation-manager "AI Reputation Manager from IONOS") falls into the integrated category. It brings together reviews from different platforms in a single feed, supports personalised review requests and generates AI-based draft responses that can be checked before publication. This makes it possible to manage review collection and response workflows in one place, while legal and editorial responsibility remains with the company.

## FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Google reviews

### Can you ask customers for Google reviews?

Yes. Google allows neutral review requests to genuine customers. Incentives, pressure, fake reviews and pre-selecting only satisfied people are not permitted.

### Can you offer a discount for a Google review?

No. Google considers discounts, free services and other benefits in exchange for reviews to be inadmissible incentives. This applies regardless of how many stars are requested.

### How can you get a direct Google review link?

Open your Google Business Profile and go to the reviews section. Select the option to request more reviews, where you can copy the direct review link or, on desktop, download a QR code.

### How often can you send a review reminder?

Google does not set a general maximum number of review reminders. In practice, one discreet reminder is usually enough, provided the contact is legally permitted. If a customer objects or unsubscribes, no further promotional messages should be sent.

### Can you ask only satisfied customers for a review?

Directing only customers who are expected to be satisfied to Google while filtering out others is commonly referred to as review gating. Google does not use this term in its current policy wording, but it prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews and discouraging negative reviews.

### Can companies delete bad reviews?

Businesses can report reviews that violate Google’s policies. A negative opinion alone is not grounds for removal. Genuine criticism should be answered professionally and reviewed internally.


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/how-to-get-google-reviews/](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/how-to-get-google-reviews/) for AI/LLM consumption.