How to ask customers for a Google review: 15 templates for WhatsApp, SMS and email
When and how to ask customers for a Google review, the rules you must follow, and 15 short request messages for WhatsApp, text, email and in person.
Ask for a Google review soon after a good experience, in a short personal message with a direct link to your review form. Ask every customer rather than only the happy ones, never offer a discount or gift in exchange, and make it easy to say no. Then reply to every review you get, because that is what the next customer reads.
Before you ask: the rules
Google's review policies are strict, and breaking them can get reviews removed. In short:
- No incentives. Do not offer discounts, gifts or entries into a draw for a review.
- No selective asking. Do not ask only customers you think are happy, or screen people before sending them to Google.
- No reviews from yourself, staff or family.
- No putting words in their mouth. You can ask them to mention what they liked; you cannot write the review for them.
Trustpilot and most other review sites have similar rules. The safe approach is simple: ask everyone, the same way, for an honest review.
Get your review link
In your Google Business Profile, look for the option to ask for reviews ("Ask for reviews" or "Get more reviews"). It gives you a short link that opens your review form directly. Use that link in every message — asking people to search for your business and find the button loses most of them.
When to ask
- Right after the good moment: the job is finished, the order arrived, the customer said thank you.
- Within a day or two, while the details are fresh.
- Once, with at most one gentle reminder. More than that feels like pressure.
15 review request templates
WhatsApp and text messages
Hi Sara! Hope you're enjoying the cake 🎂 If you have a minute, a Google review would really help our small bakery: [link]. Thank you!
Hi David, thanks for choosing Ali Plumbing today. If you were happy with the work, could you leave us a quick Google review? [link] It helps other people find us.
Thanks for coming in today, Hira! If you have a moment, we'd love to hear how your visit went: [link]
Thanks again, Ben! Would you mind leaving us a quick review? [link]
Hi Maria, just a gentle reminder about the review link in case it got buried: [link]. No worries at all if you don't have time — thanks again for your order!
Hi Emma, thank you again for working with us on the new website. If you're happy with how it turned out, a short Google review would mean a lot to our team — it takes about a minute: [link]. And if anything isn't right, just reply and tell me first.
Hi Oliver, we hope the backpack is serving you well. Would you share your experience in a Google review? [link] Your honest feedback helps other customers and helps us improve.
Hi Priya, glad we could fix the login issue. If you have a minute, we'd appreciate an honest review of our support: [link].
Thank you for dining with us on Saturday, Ahmed. We'd love to hear what you thought — you can leave a review here: [link]. We read every one.
Hi Rachel, it's been a year since we started working together — thank you. If you'd be willing to write a few words about the experience on Google, it would help other businesses decide whether we're a fit: [link].
In person, on receipts and on cards
If you enjoyed it today, we'd really appreciate a Google review — there's a QR code right here.
Loved your order? Tell others! Scan to leave us a Google review. Thank you for supporting a small business.
Thank you for your business. Reviews help us grow: [short link]
Replying when they do review
Thank you so much for the review, Sara — it made our day! See you next time.
No rush at all — thank you, David. Here's the link again for whenever suits you: [link].
After the reviews arrive
Reply to every review — good and bad. A thoughtful reply shows the next customer how you treat people, and it gives reviewers a reason to come back. See thank-you replies for positive reviews and how to respond to a negative review.
AI Reply Writer helps with both halves. On WhatsApp Web or in Gmail, it drafts the request message from the conversation you have open, so it mentions the actual order. On Google Business Profile, its ✦ AI Reply button reads each review and its stars and drafts a reply that you edit and post yourself. Nothing is ever sent or posted automatically. The free plan includes 20 replies a month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a customer for a Google review?
Send a short, personal message soon after a good experience with a direct link to your review form. For example: "Thanks for choosing us today! If you have a minute, a Google review would really help: [link]."
Can I offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google's policies prohibit incentives for reviews, including discounts, gifts and prize draws. Reviews obtained that way can be removed.
Can I ask only happy customers for reviews?
No. Google does not allow selectively asking for positive reviews. Ask every customer in the same way for an honest review.
Where do I find my Google review link?
In your Google Business Profile, use the option to ask for reviews. It gives you a short link that opens your review form directly.
