How do I get more Google reviews?
By Ash, Founder, HosteazePublished 2 min read
The short answer
Ask every customer, at the moment they're happiest, using the review link or QR code from your Google Business Profile. Put it in thank-you emails, receipts and follow-up texts, and reply to the reviews you get. Never offer discounts or freebies for reviews, and never ask only the customers you expect to be positive.
Most happy customers never leave a review because nobody asked, or because finding the right page felt like effort. Fix both and reviews arrive steadily. The trick is a short link, asked for at the right moment, every single time.
How do I get my Google review link?
- Sign in on a computer and go to your Business Profile. QR codes can only be made in a desktop browser, not on a phone.
- Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews.
- Click Copy to copy the link, or right-click the QR code and choose Save image as to download it.
Paste the link into your email signature, invoice template and booking confirmation. Print the QR code for your counter, van or table cards.
When and how should I ask?
Ask when the customer has just said something nice. That's the moment, not three weeks later in a newsletter.
| Business | Best moment | Best channel |
|---|---|---|
| Café or shop | At the till, when someone compliments you | QR code on the counter or receipt |
| Tradesperson | When the job is signed off | Text or WhatsApp with the link that evening |
| Salon or clinic | After the appointment | Thank-you email or text |
| Online service | After a successful delivery or project | Email with the link as a button |
Keep the message short and personal: "Thanks for having us round, Sarah. If you've got a minute, a Google review really helps a small business like ours" and the link. One polite reminder is fine. Three is nagging.
What does Google not allow?
Google's policies are stricter than many people expect. You must not:
- Offer anything in return, including discounts, free products or entry into a prize draw.
- Ask only the customers you think will be positive, or filter unhappy ones away from Google. This is often called review gating.
- Pressure people to review while they're still on your premises, or tell them what to write.
- Ask staff, family or friends to review the business.
Breaking these can get reviews removed. Google can also stop your profile receiving new reviews for a period, or show a warning that fake reviews were removed. That warning is worse for trade than a few honest three-star reviews.
The law backs this up. Since April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has made fake reviews and concealed incentivised reviews a banned practice in the UK, and the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance spells out what that means for businesses.
Should I reply to reviews?
Yes, all of them if you can. Google says replying shows you value feedback, and it suggests keeping replies short, specific and not promotional. For a negative review, apologise where it's fair, explain what you can do, and offer to continue by phone or email. Never share the reviewer's personal details.
Reviews feed into how prominent Google thinks you are, so they're part of local SEO. If your profile isn't live yet, start with how to set up a Google Business Profile, and see our local SEO checklist for what to do next.
Related guides: Why is my Google Business Profile not showing up?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I offer a discount or prize draw for leaving a review?
No. Google treats any incentive for posting, changing or removing a review as fake engagement and can remove reviews or restrict your profile. Under UK law, concealed incentivised reviews are also a banned practice.
Do customers need a Google account to leave a review?
Yes. They must be signed in to a Google Account, but it doesn't have to be Gmail. They can create one with any email address.
Why has a review disappeared?
Google checks reviews against its policies, which can delay them by a few days, and removes ones it finds break the rules. Reviews removed for policy reasons aren't restored.
