How to get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)

Most customers are willing to leave a review. The ones who don’t usually weren’t asked, or found it too much work. Fix both and reviews follow.

1. Make sure your Google Business Profile is claimed and verified

Reviews attach to your Business Profile. If it isn’t verified, you can’t reply to reviews and customers may land on a duplicate or outdated listing. Check at business.google.com.

2. Get your direct review link

Your review link opens the “write a review” form directly, skipping the search. Get it in a few seconds with our free review link and QR code generator.

3. Ask every customer, at the right moment

The best moment is right after the service, when the experience is fresh: at checkout, at pickup, at the end of the job. Ask everyone, not only customers who seem happy; that is Google’s rule, and an honest mix of reviews is more believable.

4. Remove the steps

Every step between “sure, I’ll leave one” and the review form loses people. A QR code or an NFC card like MeritTap puts the form one tap away.

5. Follow up once

If you collect emails or phone numbers, send your review link once, a day or two after the visit. Once is enough.

6. Reply to reviews

Customers notice businesses that reply. In BrightLocal’s 2026 survey, 89% of consumers said they expect businesses to respond to reviews (source). Thank people for good reviews; answer criticism calmly and offer to make it right.

What not to do

No incentives, no fake reviews, no staff quotas, no asking only happy customers. See the full list of Google’s rules.