Guide · Updated Jul 2026
How to get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)
Volume of reviews is the second-biggest driver of local pack ranking after proximity. Businesses that ask systematically get 3-5x more reviews than those that hope. Here's the compliant playbook.
TL;DR
Ask every happy customer at the point of highest satisfaction. Use your Google review short link on a QR sticker at the counter, in your email signature, and as the last SMS after service. Never gate the ask by rating, never offer an incentive.
Step by step
- 1
Get your Google review short link
In Google Business Profile → Get more reviews. Copy the g.page/r/... short link — that's your one link for everything.
- 2
Print a QR sticker for the counter
Any QR generator will turn the short link into a scannable code. Put it where the customer's happiness peaks: table, till, or checkout counter.
- 3
Add the link to your email signature
One line: 'Enjoyed your visit? Leave us a Google review — [link]'. Every staff email quietly asks.
- 4
Send an SMS after service
Within 2 hours of the visit, send a one-line SMS with the short link. Response rates crush email at this stage.
- 5
Never gate by rating
Asking only happy customers is 'review gating' and is against Google's guidelines. Ask everyone; the happy ones convert.
- 6
Never incentivise
No 'get 10% off for a review'. Google removes incentivised reviews and can suspend profiles.
FAQ
- How many reviews should I aim for per month?
- Aim for 1-2% of your monthly customer count. A cafe serving 3,000 people/month should target 30-60 reviews.
- Is it OK to ask on a receipt?
- Yes — a printed QR on the receipt is compliant as long as you ask every customer, not just the ones you think are happy.
- Can I use a review platform to send requests?
- Yes, provided the platform doesn't gate by rating. Any tool that asks 'were you happy?' before offering the Google link is non-compliant.
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