How to Get More Google Reviews: The Complete Guide 2026

You have satisfied customers, but they don't leave reviews. Your Google listing stagnates with a handful of comments while your competitors accumulate dozens.

This guide gives you 15 concrete strategies to turn your satisfied customers into advocates who leave 5-star reviews.

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Why Google Reviews Are Essential

Impact on visibility

Google uses reviews as a local ranking factor. The more recent, positive reviews you have:

• The higher you appear in local results
• The more visible you are on Google Maps
• The more clicks your listing attracts

Impact on conversion

Reviews directly influence purchasing decisions:

• 93% of consumers read reviews before buying
• 84% trust reviews as much as personal recommendations
• A 0.1-star increase can boost conversions by 25%

The problem: satisfied customers stay silent

Unhappy customers leave reviews spontaneously. Satisfied customers move on with their day. Without a proactive strategy, your Google listing mainly reflects negative experiences.

The solution: ask systematically.

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15 Strategies to Get More Reviews

Strategy 1: On-Site QR Code

Principle: Make your Google listing easily accessible with a visible QR code.

Where to place it:

• At the counter / register
• On tables (restaurants)
• On business cards
• On receipts and invoices
• In the waiting room
• On your storefront window

How to create the direct link:

1. Go to Google Business Profile
2. Home → "Ask for reviews"
3. Copy the short link
4. Generate a QR code (qr-code-generator.com)

Sign template:

Your feedback matters! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Happy with your experience?
Share it in 30 seconds!

[QR CODE]

Thank you for your trust 🙏

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Strategy 2: Post-Purchase Email

Principle: Send a follow-up email requesting a review after each transaction.

Optimal timing:

• Services: 24-48 hours after completion
• E-commerce: 3-5 days after delivery
• Restaurant: Same evening or next day
• Hotel: Day of checkout

Email template:

Subject: We'd love your feedback, [First Name]!

Hi [First Name],

Thank you for choosing [Company] for [service/purchase].

Your satisfaction is our priority. If you enjoyed your
experience, would you take 30 seconds to share your
thoughts on Google?

👉 [BUTTON: Leave a Review]

Your feedback helps other customers discover us and
helps us keep improving.

Thank you so much!

[Signature]

P.S. Had an issue? Reply directly to this email —
we'll take care of it personally.

Key points:

• Personalize with first name
• Single call-to-action (Google link)
• Offer an alternative if unhappy (prevents public negative review)

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Strategy 3: SMS Follow-Up

Principle: SMS has a 98% open rate vs 20% for email.

SMS template:

Hi [First Name]! Thanks for visiting [Company].
Happy with your experience? A Google review would
mean a lot: [short link]
Thank you! 🙏

Best practices:

• Send within 2-4 hours of the visit
• Use a short link (bit.ly or native Google link)
• Keep under 160 characters if possible
• Respect business hours (not after 8pm)

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Strategy 4: Face-to-Face Request

Principle: Direct requests remain the most effective. A customer who says "yes" in person is 3x more likely to leave a review.

Script for your team:

"So glad everything went well! If you have 30 seconds,
a quick Google review would really help us out.
Want me to text you the link?"

When to ask:

• After a spontaneous compliment
• At the end of a successful service
• When the customer expresses satisfaction
• At payment (if positive context)

Team training:

• Identify "satisfaction moments"
• Provide a simple script
• Set a goal (e.g., 3 asks per day)

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Strategy 5: Thank You Card

Principle: Include a physical card with every order or after every service.

Card template:

THANK YOU! 🙏

Your satisfaction makes our success.

A Google review helps us grow:
[QR Code] or [short link]

See you soon!
The [Company] Team

E-commerce variant: Card in the package with handwritten (or handwritten-style) personal message.

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Strategy 6: Email Signature

Principle: Every email your team sends becomes an opportunity.

Signature addition:

--
[First Last]
[Title] | [Company]
[Phone]

⭐ Happy with our service? Leave us a Google review!

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Strategy 7: Phone Follow-Up

Principle: For high-value services, a follow-up call humanizes the relationship.

Script:

"Hi [First Name], this is [Name] from [Company].
I'm calling to make sure everything went well with
[service].

[Listen to feedback]

Great, I'm so glad! If you have 2 minutes, a Google
review would really help us out. I'll text you the
link right after this call — sound good?"

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Strategy 8: Loyalty Program

Principle: Integrate review requests into your loyalty program.

Examples:

• "Leave a review and earn 50 loyalty points"
• "Google review = 10% off your next order"
• "Share your experience and receive [gift]"

Warning: Google prohibits buying reviews or offering incentives conditional on a positive review. You can encourage leaving a review (any review), not leaving a positive one.

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Strategy 9: Social Media

Principle: Your followers are your most engaged customers.

Regular posts:

Have you visited us recently? 🙏

Your Google review helps us grow and helps other
customers discover us.

30 seconds of your time = a huge boost for us!

👉 [Link in bio]

Instagram Stories: Use the "Link" sticker to your Google listing.

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Strategy 10: Thank You Page (E-commerce)

Principle: After an online purchase, the confirmation page is a moment of satisfaction.

Page addition:

Order confirmed! 🎉

While you wait for your package, why not share
your shopping experience?

[Button: Leave a Google Review]

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Strategy 11: Smart Reminder

Principle: Some customers forget. A gentle reminder can convert.

Reminder email (Day 7):

Subject: A quick reminder, [First Name] 😊

Hi [First Name],

Last week I sent you a link to share your
Google review.

If you haven't had time yet, here's the link again:
👉 [Leave a Review]

It only takes 30 seconds and helps us tremendously.

Thanks in advance!

[Signature]

Rule: Maximum 1 reminder. More risks annoying customers.

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Strategy 12: In-Store Review (Tablet)

Principle: For physical stores, a tablet at checkout enables immediate reviews.

Setup:

• Tablet on stand near register
• Google page open and ready
• Stable Wi-Fi connection
• Message: "Leave a review in 30 seconds!"

Advantage: Customer doesn't need their phone, process is immediate.

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Strategy 13: Cross-Partnership

Principle: Exchange visibility with complementary businesses.

Example:

• A restaurant recommends a hotel → hotel recommends restaurant
• A hair salon recommends an esthetician → reciprocity

Application to reviews: "If you leave a review for our partner [X], mention you came from us!"

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Strategy 14: Responses That Generate Reviews

Principle: When you respond to a positive review, other customers see it and are encouraged to do the same.

Response template:

Thank you so much for this feedback, [First Name]! 🙏
Your review means a lot to our whole team.
See you soon!

Customers who see you respond are 2x more likely to leave a review themselves.

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Strategy 15: Special Event

Principle: Leverage key moments to solicit reviews.

Occasions:

• Business anniversary
• New product/service launch
• Holiday season
• Reaching a milestone (100 customers, etc.)

Message:

🎂 [Company] is turning 5!

To celebrate, help us reach 100 Google reviews.
Every review counts!

👉 [Link]

Thank you for being part of the journey! 🙏

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Optimal Timing by Industry

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Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Buying fake reviews

Google detects and removes fake reviews. Your listing can be suspended. Don't take this risk.

❌ Offering incentives for positive reviews

"Leave a 5-star review and get 10% off" is prohibited. You can encourage leaving a review, not making it positive.

❌ Asking people who were never customers

Reviews should reflect real experiences. Asking friends or family is counterproductive.

❌ Harassing customers

One email + one reminder maximum. Beyond that, you create frustration.

❌ Ignoring negative reviews

Respond to all reviews, positive and negative. Customers see that you're engaged.

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Measuring Your Results

KPIs to track

Tracking tools

• Google Business Profile: Native analytics
• Google Alerts: New mention notifications
• ReplyStack: Centralized tracking + AI responses

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7-Day Action Plan

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Automate with ReplyStack

Collecting reviews is great. Responding to them systematically is even better.

ReplyStack lets you:

• Respond to all reviews in 1 click with AI
• Maintain a 100% response rate
• Encourage new reviews (customers see you respond)
• Save hours every month

→ Try ReplyStack Free — 15 responses/month

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Conclusion

Getting more Google reviews isn't about luck. It's about systems.

Businesses that accumulate reviews have simple processes in place:

1. They ask systematically
2. They make it easy (QR code, direct link)
3. They respond to every review

Start with 2-3 strategies from this guide. Measure results. Adjust. Within weeks, you'll see the difference.

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See also: How to Respond to Negative Reviews • 20 Review Response Templates