How to Ask for Google Reviews: Templates for Email, Text, and In Person

Asking for a review feels awkward, so most businesses either don't do it or do it in a way that's easy to ignore. The fix is a short, specific message sent at the right moment, with a link that goes straight to your review form. This guide gives you the wording for email, text, and in person, and the few things you should never say.

The four parts of a good review request

1. Who you are. Use your business name and, ideally, the name of the person they dealt with.
2. What you did. Name the job, visit, or order, so the request feels personal and jogs their memory.
3. One clear ask. A single sentence asking for a review on Google. Not a survey, not a list of sites.
4. A direct link. It should open the review form for your business, not your Maps listing or your website.

You can get your direct review link from your Google Business Profile: open the profile in Google Search or the Business Profile app, find the option to ask for reviews, and copy the link.

When to ask

Ask while the experience is fresh: the same day for most service jobs and visits, and at handover for longer projects. Send one reminder three to five days later if they haven't reviewed, then stop.

Ask every customer, not only the ones you think were happy. Google's policy does not allow businesses to "selectively solicit positive reviews," a practice known as review gating.

Review request email templates

Simple follow-up after a job

Subject: Thanks from Riverside Plumbing

Hi Sam,

Thanks for having us out to fix your water heater today. If you have a minute, would you leave us a review on Google? It helps neighbours find a plumber they can trust.

[Leave a review]

Thanks again,
Maria, Riverside Plumbing

After an appointment

Subject: How was your visit?

Hi Priya,

Thank you for coming in to Oak Street Dental today. We'd really appreciate it if you shared your experience on Google. It only takes a minute.

[Write a review]

The team at Oak Street Dental

One reminder

Subject: A quick favour

Hi Sam,

Just a gentle reminder: if you have a moment, a short Google review of your recent job would mean a lot to our small team.

[Leave a review]

No worries if not, and thanks again for choosing us.
Maria

Review request text message templates

Texts should be shorter still: one or two sentences and the link. Only text customers who have agreed to hear from you by text, and include your business name so the message isn't mistaken for spam.

Hi Sam, it's Maria from Riverside Plumbing. Thanks for today! Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? [link]

Thanks for visiting Bloom Salon today, Jess. If you have 30 seconds, a Google review helps us a lot: [link]

How to ask in person

In person, the goal is to plant the idea, not to get the review on the spot. Google says merchants should not "require or pressure users to leave ratings or write reviews while on the premises," so skip the in-store tablet. Try something like:

"Glad we could sort that out today. If you're happy with it, we'd really appreciate a Google review when you get a chance. I'll send you the link."

Then follow up with the email or text, so the link is in their hands when they have a minute. A QR code on a receipt, card, or counter sign works the same way: it lets the customer review later, on their own phone, without anyone watching.

What never to say

• "Leave us 5 stars." Don't ask for a rating. Ask for a review.
• "Please mention Dave in your review." Google doesn't allow requests for specific content, including naming a staff member.
• "Get 10% off when you leave a review." Any reward for a review breaks Google's policy, and in the US the FTC bans rewards that depend on a positive review.
• "If you weren't happy, tell us instead." Steering unhappy customers away from Google while sending happy ones to it is review gating.

The full rules are in Google's Maps user-generated content policy.

Sending requests to every customer, every week

Templates are the easy part. Sending them consistently is where most businesses slip. SlashPost Review Requests takes a CSV of recent customers from your booking or invoicing tool, checks every address, and emails each customer a short request with a direct link to your Google review form. For more ways to grow your review count, read our guide on how to get more Google reviews.