How to ask customers for honest reviews

Open your Google Business Profile. Choose Read Reviews, then Get more reviews. Copy the review link Google provides.

Google also provides a QR code there. Its instructions currently require a computer browser for QR generation, not a mobile device.

Check the destination before sharing it. Confirm the business name and location, especially if you manage several branches.

Google suggests sharing the link on receipts, in thank-you emails or at the end of a chat. An in-store QR display is another option.

Let customers choose whether and when to use it. See Google’s link and QR instructions.

Choose a real customer moment, such as a completed appointment or delivered service. Apply the same invitation rule regardless of expected praise or criticism.

Do not ask a satisfaction question, then give only happy customers the Google link. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews and discouraging negative ones.

Do not offer a discount, gift, payment or free service for a review. This applies even when you ask for an honest review.

Do not pressure someone to review while they are on your premises. Do not prescribe the rating or words they should use.

These restrictions come from Google’s fake-engagement policy, not an AI-ranking formula.

Use this only for someone who actually used the business. Choose a communication channel you are permitted to use.

This guide does not determine your legal permission to send messages.

Do not add instructions to mention a keyword, name an employee or select 5 stars. Google prohibits requests for specific review content.

A receipt or sign can use a shorter version:

Customers may prefer to contact you directly. You can provide a contact address alongside the review invitation, without requiring it first.

Do not trade compensation for changing or removing a negative review. Google’s incentive ban covers those exchanges too.

Do not ask employees or affiliated people to create customer reviews. Google prohibits reviews based on conflicts of interest.

This process gives genuine customers an easier way to describe their experience. It cannot promise a rating, more sales or inclusion in an AI answer.

For a separate baseline, check whether your business appears in ChatGPT Search.

Keep the question, date, answer and sources so later comparisons have context.

Policies and interface instructions checked 27 Oct 2026. Google’s controls and rules can change.

• Google Maps: Prohibited & restricted content. Fake engagement, review solicitation and conflicts of interest.
• Google Business Profile: Create a Google link or QR code to request reviews. Link instructions, sharing examples and incentive restrictions.