How to Ask for Google Reviews
By BRIX Editorial Team · Updated
To ask for Google reviews, get your review link from your Google Business Profile (Read reviews, then Get more reviews), and send it to every customer by text within a few hours of finishing the job, with a short personal note. Ask everyone, not just happy customers, and never offer a discount or gift in exchange.
Key takeaways
- Get your free review link or QR code from your Business Profile: Read reviews → Get more reviews.
- Ask within hours of the job, while the customer is still happy and remembers the tech's name.
- A text with a direct link beats a verbal request alone, because it removes every step between yes and done.
- Google prohibits incentives for reviews and selectively asking only happy customers (review gating). The FTC also says not to ask only customers you expect to be positive.
- Reply to every review, good or bad, briefly and professionally.
How do you get your Google review link?
You get your Google review link from your Business Profile: open your profile, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link or save the QR code. It's free. Google says review QR codes can currently be generated only in a computer browser, not on a phone.
- 1
Open your Business Profile.
Search your business name on Google while signed in, or open it from the Business Profile site.
- 2
Go to reviews.
Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews.
- 3
Copy the link.
Select Copy. This link opens the review box directly, so customers don't have to search for you.
- 4
Save the QR code.
On a computer, right-click the QR code and save the image for invoices, leave-behind cards and truck magnets.
When should you ask a customer for a review?
Ask a customer for a review as soon as the job is done and they've seen it working: the AC is blowing cold, the drain runs clear, the new panel is labeled. Same day is best. The longer you wait, the less they remember and the less likely they are to bother.
| Trade | Best moment | What to mention |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | After the system's running and the house is cooling or heating | The tech's name and the problem solved |
| Plumbing | After the leak is fixed and the area is cleaned up | Fast arrival, clean work |
| Electrical | After the final test and walkthrough | Safety and tidy work |
| Roofing | After final cleanup and magnet sweep, not mid-project | The crew and the cleanup |
| Landscaping and lawn care | After the first visit of a new contract, then after big projects | How the yard looks |
| Cleaning | After the first clean, once they've seen it | The crew by name |
| Garage doors | When the door's running smoothly and quietly | Speed of the fix |
What should you say when asking for a Google review?
Say thank you, name the tech or crew, mention the job, ask for an honest review, and include the link. Keep it under 300 characters for texts. Don't tell the customer what to write or what star rating to give; Google doesn't allow requesting specific content.
Text: Hi Maria, it's Dave from Smith Plumbing. Thanks for having Luis out today to fix the water heater. If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate an honest Google review: [your review link]. It helps a small local business a lot.
Tech: You're all set. Everything's running and I've cleaned up. One favor: we're a local shop and Google reviews really help people find us. You'll get a text from us with a link. If you have a minute, an honest review would mean a lot.
Customer: Sure, happy to.
Tech: Thanks. And if anything's not right, call me first and I'll come back and make it right.
More versions for email, follow-ups and different trades are in the Google review request templates.
What does Google not allow when asking for reviews?
Google doesn't allow offering anything in exchange for reviews, asking only customers you expect to be happy, discouraging negative reviews, reviews from people with a conflict of interest like employees or family, or asking customers to include specific content. Reviews that break these rules can be removed.
| Don't | Why | Do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Offer a discount, gift card, raffle entry or free service for a review | Google calls this fake engagement and prohibits it | Ask without any reward |
| Send a "How did we do?" survey and send only happy customers to Google (review gating) | Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews. The FTC says not to ask only customers you think will be positive | Send everyone the same review request. Handle complaints directly as well |
| Ask employees, friends or family to review you | Conflict-of-interest content is prohibited | Ask real customers only |
| Tell customers what to write or which keywords to use | Google says merchants shouldn't request specific content | Ask for an honest review |
| Buy reviews or use a review service that writes them | Fake reviews are prohibited by Google and by the FTC's rule on fake reviews | Earn them one job at a time |
| Threaten or pressure customers over a bad review | The FTC rule bans using threats or intimidation to suppress negative reviews | Reply professionally and fix the problem |
How many customers do you need to ask?
Divide the number of new reviews you want each month by the share of customers who actually leave one when asked. Measure that share yourself: count requests sent and new reviews received over a month.
Requests per month = target new reviews ÷ review rate
- Target new reviews
- how many new reviews you want each month
- Review rate
- new reviews ÷ requests sent, from your own history
To estimate what more reviews and a higher rating could be worth in booked jobs, try the review revenue calculator. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking; see the local pack.
How should you respond to Google reviews?
Respond to every review briefly, personally and professionally. Thank happy customers by name and mention the job. For negative reviews, acknowledge the problem, don't argue in public, never share private details, and offer to fix it offline. Future customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.
Owner: Hi James, I'm sorry the tech arrived later than the window we gave you. That's on us, and it's not the standard we hold ourselves to. I'd like to make it right. Please call me directly at the office and ask for Dave.
Common mistakes when asking for Google reviews
- Only asking when someone remembers. A request that depends on memory gets skipped on every busy day. Make it automatic.
- Waiting a week. The customer has moved on. Ask the same day.
- Making customers search for you. Always send the direct review link.
- Offering a reward. Even a small discount breaks Google's policy.
- Filtering who gets asked. Review gating breaks Google's policy and the FTC advises against it.
- Ignoring bad reviews. A calm, helpful reply often matters more to the next customer than the review itself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a customer for a Google review?
Text them your direct Google review link within a few hours of finishing the job, with a short thank-you that names the tech and the work. Ask for an honest review. Mentioning it in person at the end of the visit, then sending the link, works better than either alone.
Is it OK to offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google's policy prohibits offering incentives such as discounts, free goods or services in exchange for reviews and treats it as fake engagement. Reviews posted because of an incentive can be removed. Ask without any reward.
What is review gating, and is it allowed?
Review gating means screening customers first, for example with a satisfaction survey, and asking only happy ones to post on Google. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews, and the FTC's guidance says not to ask only customers you think will leave positive reviews. Send everyone the same request.
How do I get a link for customers to leave a Google review?
Open your Google Business Profile, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link. You can also save a QR code from that screen on a computer browser. The link opens the review box directly, so customers don't need to search for you.
Can my employees leave Google reviews for my business?
No. Google prohibits reviews based on a conflict of interest, which includes employees, family members and others with a personal or business connection. The FTC's rule also requires insiders' connections to be disclosed. Ask real customers only.
What should I text customers to get a review?
Keep it short and personal: "Hi Maria, it's Dave from Smith Plumbing. Thanks for having Luis out today. If you have a minute, we'd appreciate an honest Google review: [link]." Send it the same day, and don't suggest what to write or what rating to give.
Should I respond to every Google review?
Yes. Google recommends replying promptly and politely. Thank positive reviewers personally, and for negative reviews acknowledge the problem, avoid arguing, never share private details, and offer to fix it offline. A good reply may even lead the customer to update their review.
Related
- Google Review Request Templates (Text, Email and In Person)Free Google review request templates for texts, emails, in-person asks and QR cards, written to follow Google's review policy on asking every customer.
- Google Review Calculator: How Many Reviews You Need and What They're WorthSee how many 5-star Google reviews you need to reach your target rating, how many customers to ask, and what more reviews could be worth to your business.
- Review Request Automation: More Google Reviews Without Remembering to AskAsk every customer for a Google review automatically after the job, by text and email, without breaking Google's rules. Built for trades businesses.
- What Is a Google Business Profile?What a Google Business Profile is, how service-area contractors set one up and verify it, Google's rules on names and reviews, and what helps you rank.
- What Is the Google Local Pack?What the Google local pack (map pack) is, how Google picks the businesses in it, and what trades businesses can do to show up for "near me" searches.
- What Are Google Local Services Ads?How Google Local Services Ads work for contractors: pay-per-lead pricing, what counts as a charged lead, the Google Verified badge, ranking and setup.
- What Is First-Time Fix Rate?What first-time fix rate means, how to calculate it, what a second trip costs, and how trades shops raise it with better intake, truck stock and dispatch.
- Lead Follow-Up Automation That Chases Every Lead and Estimate for YouAutomatic text and email follow-up for every lead and open estimate, so quotes don't go cold while you're on jobs. Built for trades businesses.
- Cost Per Lead Calculator (and Marketing ROI)Free cost per lead calculator for contractors: get CPL, cost per booked job, marketing ROI, ROAS and the most you can pay per lead before you lose money.
- What Is Markup?Markup is what you add to cost to set a price. Learn the markup formula, how contractors mark up materials, equipment, subs and labor, with examples.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help: Create a Google link or QR code to request reviews (checked October 12, 2026)
- Google Maps User Contributed Content Policy: Prohibited and restricted content (fake engagement, conflict of interest) (checked October 12, 2026)
- Google Business Profile Help: Read and reply to reviews (checked October 12, 2026)
- Google Business Profile Help: Tips to improve your local ranking on Google (checked October 12, 2026)
- FTC: Final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (16 CFR Part 465) (checked October 12, 2026)
- FTC: Soliciting and paying for online reviews, a guide for marketers (checked October 12, 2026)