How to get more Google reviews, the way Google allows

A steady flow of new reviews is one of the things that helps a local shop on Google. The way to get them is simple and a little boring: ask every customer, the same way, at the right moment, and make it easy.

Updated October 23, 2026

The rules first

Breaking these can get reviews removed or a profile suspended, so they come before any tips:

Ask everyone the same way. No “were you happy?” step that sends only happy customers to Google. That is review gating, and Google doesn't allow it.
Offer nothing in return. No discounts, gifts or prize draws for reviews.
Don't write them yourself. No reviews from you, your staff or family about your own shop, and none bought from anyone.
Don't tell people what to write. Asking for “a review” is fine. Asking for five stars or for certain words is not.

These come from Google's rules for content on Google Maps. In the US, the FTC's rule on consumer reviews and testimonials (16 CFR Part 465) also bans fake reviews, and paying or rewarding customers for reviews that say something particular.

When to ask

Ask when the customer has just seen the result, not days later when they have moved on:

At the counter, when they pick up and try the repaired phone or finished job.
On the receipt or invoice, with your review link printed at the bottom.
By text, the same day, from the shop's own phone, to customers who gave you their number.
In your email signature, so every email you send carries the link.

What to say

Short and plain works best. Copy these and fill in the brackets:

At the counter (say it)

Say it to every customer at the end of the visit, and point to the card.

Thanks for coming in today. Would you leave us a review on Google? You can scan this card with your phone camera — it only takes a minute.

Receipt or invoice line

Add it to the bottom of every receipt or invoice.

Thank you for choosing [Your shop]. Please leave us a review on Google: [your review link]

Text message from the shop's phone

Send it yourself, from the shop's own phone, to customers who gave you their number.

Hi, this is [Your shop]. Thanks for coming in! Would you take a minute to leave us a review on Google? [your review link]

Email footer

Put it under your signature, so every email carries it.

Reviews help people find [Your shop]. Leave yours on Google: [your review link]

Get your review link for free

Google gives every business a short link that opens its review box. You can copy it from your Business Profile while signed in to the Google account that manages it, and turn it into a QR code for the counter. The steps are in how to get your review link and QR code.

Make it a habit, not a campaign

A burst of reviews in one week and then nothing looks odd and helps less than a few every week. Put the card on the counter, the link on every receipt, and make asking part of handing the device back. Don't set staff quotas for reviews: quotas are how shops end up pressuring customers or picking the happy ones.

Then reply to what comes in, good and bad. See how to reply to a negative review.

Where KILLCRITIC fits

Everything above works without paying anyone. KILLCRITIC saves the setup: once your Google profile is connected, it reads your review link from Google, prints a 4 × 6 inch counter card with its QR code, gives you this wording with your real name and link filled in, and, on a paid plan, drafts a reply to each review that comes in for you to approve. It never sends review requests itself and never filters who gets asked.

Common questions

Can I offer a discount or a gift for a Google review?

No. Google's policies don't allow reviews in exchange for anything, and the FTC's rule on consumer reviews bans buying reviews that say a particular thing. Ask, and leave it to the customer.

Can I ask only the customers I know were happy?

No. Asking only happy customers, or checking first and sending only the happy ones to Google, is called review gating and Google doesn't allow it. Ask every customer the same way.

Should I reply to every review?

Yes, good and bad. Google's own tips suggest replying to reviews, though nobody outside Google knows how much it counts for ranking. People reading your reviews notice the replies, and a calm reply to a bad review often matters more to them than the review itself.

Keep reading

KILLCRITIC is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. Google, Google Maps and Google Business Profile are trademarks of Google LLC.