How to get more Google reviews for your business

Make your review link and QR code (five minutes)

Google gives every business a direct review link, so customers don’t have to search for you first. On a computer, open your Business Profile at business.google.com, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews. Copy the link, or right-click the QR code and save the image. Google says the QR code can only be made on a computer, not on a phone.

Customers need a Google Account to post a review, but Google notes they can create one with any email address, not only Gmail.

• Put the link in the text or email you already send after a job, visit or order.
• Print the QR code on a counter card, your receipts, the back of your business card or the final invoice.
• Save the link on your phone, so anyone on your team can send it in seconds.

Ask at the moment they are happiest

Timing matters more than wording. Ask right after the customer sees the result: the plumber when the leak is fixed, the salon at checkout while the client is still looking in the mirror, the contractor at the final walkthrough, the restaurant with the bill, the dental office in the follow-up text that evening.

Ask in person first, in one sentence, then send the link the same day. “Thanks for choosing us. If we did a good job, would you leave us a quick Google review? I’ll text you the link.” A personal ask followed by a one-tap link is the whole system.

Ask every customer, not only the happy ones

Some review tools first ask “How did we do?” and only send customers who answer with five stars to Google, while unhappy answers go to a private form. Google’s policy lists this as rating manipulation: businesses may not selectively ask for positive reviews or discourage negative ones.

Asking everyone also helps you. Google’s own tips point out that a mix of positive and negative reviews often looks more trustworthy, and a complaint you hear about is a problem you can fix.

Never reward a review, and never write your own

Google treats free or discounted goods or services in exchange for reviews as fake and misleading content, and strictly prohibits it. That includes discounts, free items, raffle entries, and offers to change or remove a negative review.

Reviews are also a legal matter now. The FTC’s rule on reviews, announced in August 2024, bans fake reviews, rewards tied to a positive (or negative) review, and undisclosed reviews by company insiders. In December 2025 the FTC sent warning letters to ten companies and reminded businesses that violations can cost up to $53,088 each.

• Don’t post reviews of your own business, or ask employees, relatives or business partners to. Google’s policy prohibits reviews based on a conflict of interest, such as employment or a business relationship.
• Don’t buy reviews or use services that promise them.
• Don’t copy reviews from one platform and present them as Google reviews.

Reply to every review

Your replies are public. Google posts each one under the customer’s review, without your personal name, and you can edit or delete a reply later. Google says helpful replies show customers you are responsive, and its tips recommend keeping replies short, personal and timely.

For a five-star review, two sentences are enough: thank them by first name and mention something specific without private details. “Thanks, Dana. We’re glad the new patio came out the way you pictured it.” For a bad review, see our guide to responding to negative reviews.

Make it a weekly habit

A steady flow of recent reviews tells a new customer you are active today, not two years ago. Google also says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking, though no one can promise a position.

Once a week, spend ten minutes: count new reviews, reply to every one, and note which job or team member brought them in. If the number drops, check whether the ask stopped happening.

A review request you can copy

Send it the same day, from your business phone, booking system or email. Change the wording to sound like you.