Best Practices for Acquiring Google Reviews

Good Practices

• Keep it easy. People help when it takes under a minute. Use a short review link and a QR card at handoff.
• Ask with gratitude. Frame it as “If we earned your trust, would you share your experience?”
• Match the timing to the service. See the timing guidance below.
• Use multiple touchpoints (lightly). Pair in-person with one digital follow-up. Avoid spammy multi-channel blasts.
• Policy-safe only. Never say “5-star,” never offer incentives, never filter by sentiment, and never ask staff/affiliates.

Set Up Once

• Create your official Google review link/QR from your Business Profile (“Get more reviews”). Print a small plastic or paper card and add the link to receipts, invoices, email signatures, and SMS templates.
• Compliant “intermediate page.” You may use a landing page that shows two identical options for everyone:
  • Button A: “Public Google Review” (your GBP review link)
  • Button B: “Private Feedback to the Owner” (simple form)
  Do not ask “Good or Bad?” or route people differently based on sentiment. That is considered gating.

Tips

• Ask at the moment of handoff. Show the QR and wait while they scan. A 10-second pause often doubles completion.
• Don’t rely on email alone. If you email, follow with one short SMS reminder (timing below).
• Seed memories. Offer prompts so their review is easier to write (see “Prompts” below).
• Make it visible. Put the QR card on counters, clipboards, take-home folders, and printed checklists.

Reduce Friction (Crafting the Request)

1. Ask for honest feedback. Never specify star ratings or offer rewards.
2. Set expectation of brevity. “It only takes a minute.”
3. Provide the link right there. QR + short URL. Don’t make them hunt.
4. Give prompts they can answer quickly:
   • What was your favorite part about working with us?
   • What did you like about the service?
   • How did you feel before you found us, and how did you feel after booking?
   • What surprised you the most about the experience?
   • What problem did we solve? What were the results? How did it impact your day or business?

Psychology That Works

• Polite ask: “I’d really appreciate it.”
• Give a reason: “Reviews help local customers choose and help us compete with big-box options.”
• Personalize: Use their first name and the exact service they received.

Timing (by Category)

• Food & drink: Same day is fine, otherwise within 2–3 days.
• Accommodation, entertainment, beauty: Within 1 week.
• Healthcare, trades, real estate: Within 3–7 days.
• General rule for considered purchases: Avoid asking immediately after; a short delay improves compliance.

Cadence

• Step 1 (In person): At handoff, show QR and ask.
• Step 2 (First digital prompt): Email or SMS at the timing above.
• Step 3 (One reminder only): 48 hours after an email prompt or 72 hours after an SMS prompt. Then stop.

Channel Priority

• Email: Highest overall completion. Clear subject, clear single link.
• In person: Highest trust; pairs with QR.
• SMS: Excellent for short, transactional asks. Keep it under 160 characters.
• Receipts & signage: Secondary placements that compound over time.

Sample Copy (Policy-Safe)

• In person (with QR): “If we earned your trust today, would you mind sharing a quick Google review?”
• SMS: “Hi [Name], thanks for choosing [Business] for [service]. When you have a minute, could you share your experience here? [short GBP link]”
• Email
  • Subject: Quick favor about today’s visit
  • Body: Thank you for choosing us today. Reviews help neighbors decide who to trust, and we’d value your honest feedback. It only takes a minute: [link]

Avoiding Pitfalls

• No bursts: Stagger requests to avoid suspicious spikes.
• No gating or filtering: Do not route “happy” vs “unhappy” customers differently. Send everyone the same options.
• No incentives: No discounts, gifts, or contests tied to reviews.
• No conflicts of interest: Don’t ask employees, vendors, or close affiliates.
• Respond fast: Reply to reviews within 2–3 days to signal active ownership.

Key Takeaway

A steady, authentic stream of brief, honest requests, timed to customer expectations, delivered via QR + one digital touch, with a single reminder—builds reviews safely and reliably.