Google reviews create social proof and credibility. They’re essential for building trust and gaining new customers, and they also offer a powerful way to boost both your local and global search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.
But how do you ask for reviews? There are right and wrong ways to go about it because you need to comply with Google’s guidelines – I’ll walk through those below. I’ll also provide B2C and B2B templates you can copy and use to ask for reviews on various platforms. Then, read on for essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind on your review-collecting journey.
The Importance of Asking for Reviews
Customers who have an incredible experience don’t always leave reviews. As such, you’re likely missing many opportunities to build the trust and credibility that Google demands. Google’s intricate algorithm considers both positive and negative customer reviews when determining the ranking of local businesses. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since Google aims to showcase top-quality companies to its users, and reviews serve as a fair means of differentiation.
Although Google reviews build trust, which in turn improves search visibility by supporting local SEO, they actually have many additional benefits. These include:
- Driving purchase decisions. Reviews help give customers that final push they need to commit to a purchase. They help convince people that your company is the right choice.
- Providing free marketing. Whether shared on Google or social media, positive reviews are one of the best forms of free marketing for your business, with the potential to boost both brand awareness and sales.
- Enhancing customer experience. Even negative reviews can benefit your business by allowing you to leverage SEO reputation management to build brand credibility. If customers note issues with your purchasing process or products, now’s your chance to learn ways to improve for the future and enhance their buying experience.
What To Know About Google’s Review Policies
Google provides straightforward guidelines that businesses must follow regarding promotional content submitted through Google posts on your Business Profile page or reviews submitted to any other Google product. Avoid running afoul of these policies by:
- Not posting or encouraging misleading information.
- Not incentivizing positive reviews with cash, discounts, or free goods.
- Not impersonating other people or organizations.
- Not including inappropriate content or language in posts and reviews.
While you’ll likely find Google’s guidelines relatively easy to follow, it’s also clear why you might be worried about asking for reviews. When done incorrectly, Google could penalize your business for offering incentives or encouraging misleading information.
Asking for a review is perfectly fine. However, refrain from directly incentivizing positive reviews or using coercive methods to sway review content. Google prioritizes transparency and authenticity within its review framework.
How To Get Your Google Reviews Link
The following review request examples and templates often include a direct link to make it easier for your customers to navigate to your Google Business Profile. Here’s how to quickly find yours.
- While logged into the Google account associated with your business, search your business name.
- Click the number of reviews beneath the CTA buttons.
- At the top of the reviews popup, click the “Get more reviews” button.
- Copy the link and share it with happy customers using the templates below!
Review Request Templates
Wondering how to ask for online reviews? Examples are always helpful, as are templates. I’ve put together the following templates categorized by marketing method. Feel free to try them out. Just make sure to customize them to your unique business needs to optimize your Google Business Profile and earn valuable customer feedback.
How To Ask For Reviews via Email
Most of the time, when you send a review request, it’ll be through email. However, the content of your email should vary depending on your prior interactions with the customer.
Email Example 1: Post-Purchase Reviews
Consider the following template when you want to ask satisfied customers for a review after a purchase:
Hi [Customer’s Name],
Thank you for your recent purchase of [Product/Service]. We hope you are delighted with it!
We would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment of your time to leave a review detailing your experience. Your insights are not only invaluable to other customers but will help us improve our service.
[Link to Google Reviews]
Thank you for your support! Warm regards,
[Company Name]
In this example, you make your customers feel valuable by letting them know their reviews help other people and will improve the quality of service they’ll receive in the future, encouraging a greater response rate.
Email Example 2: Follow-Up Reviews
Use the following template if you’d like feedback after a customer completes a service such as a return, refund, or exchange:
Dear [Customer’s Name],
We hope you enjoyed your experience with [Service Provided].
Your opinion means the world to us and helps us improve. We’d be thankful if you could share your thoughts by leaving a review here:[Link to Google Reviews]
Thank you for choosing [Company Name]!
Asking for a review using the above template is also an ideal way to help transform customer service inquiries into reviews. People don’t necessarily need to complete a purchase to have a positive experience with your brand, which you can turn into great reviews that drive future purchases.
Email Example 3: Long-Term Customer Reviews
Reviews from long-term customers are among the most powerful and beneficial because they demonstrate a track record of high-quality service. If you’re wondering how to ask for a review from your most loyal customers, start with this template:
Dear [Customer’s Name],
As a valued customer for [Duration], we appreciate your continued support. We’d be honored if you could take a moment to leave a review reflecting on your experience with us over the years. Your insights are invaluable to us.
[Link to Google Reviews]
Thank you for being a cherished part of our [Company Name] family!
The template above makes sure to mention how long the customer has shopped with your business, showing them you appreciate and notice their support. It also guides them to write a review specifically about their experience over time without coercing them toward a positive review.
How To Ask for Reviews in Person
Local businesses with many in-person transactions often neglect the opportunity to capitalize on positive interactions through reviews. Fortunately, it’s easy to request reviews in person with the following script:
“I’m so glad to hear you’re happy with [Product/Service/Experience]. Could I send you a link to our Google page? We’d love it if you could take a moment to share your experience.”
Of course, if you don’t have an easy way to share a link in person, you can also alter the script to simply ask the customer to visit your Google Business page or website.
To get the most benefit from in-person review requests, ask:
- After a customer expresses satisfaction or compliments your service.
- After repeat visits.
- After resolving complaints amicably.
- During special events and sales.
How To Ask for Reviews via SMS
SMS is a great way to ask for reviews after purchases. Try out the following:
Hi [Customer’s Name], thanks for choosing [Company Name]! We hope you’re enjoying your [Product/Service]. Your feedback is important to us. Would you mind sharing your experience here [Link to Google Reviews]? Thank you!
Overall, it’s important to keep your message short when using this medium. Make sure you include the customer’s name and personalize the text a little to improve engagement. You should also always include a link to your review page so users don’t need to find it manually.
Like with email marketing, you’ll need to seek permission before sending any SMS messages, so be sure to ask during the initial purchase.
How To Ask for Reviews in a Flyer
You can use flyers in several ways, but one of the best ways is to include a flyer in your shipping box to encourage reviews. Start with the following design:
Flyer Heading: “How Did We Do?”
Body Message: “Your opinion matters to us at [Company Name]. If you enjoyed our service, we’d be grateful if you could write a review detailing your experience.”
Instructions: “Leaving feedback is easy! Just scan this QR Code or visit [Review Link].”
Flyers work best when you include a clear, concise call-to-action and simple instructions. To attract more attention, ensure the design is visually appealing and matches your brand aesthetic. You can even test different messages or designs by including unique QR codes for each batch to track the conversion rate.
How To Ask for Reviews on Your Site
Wondering how to ask a customer for a review on your website? Here are two easy methods.
Pop-Up Requests
Use the following template immediately after purchases:
Pop-Up Heading: “Share Your Experience!”
Text: “We hope you love [Product]! Your feedback is important to us and helps other customers. Could you take a moment to leave a review about your shopping experience? [Google Reviews Link]”
On-Page Reviews
If you include review requests on individual product pages, you can use this template:
Section Heading: “We Value Your Feedback”
Text: “Did you enjoy [Product/Service]? Let us and our community know! Your insights help us improve. [Google Reviews Link]
Besides pop-ups and on-page sections, another tip is to ask for reviews on the order confirmation page or within customer account dashboards.
While responding to reviews helps with SEO, reputation management is doubly crucial if you embed your Google reviews on your own website, as it’s where most customers complete purchases. Always look for opportunities for review modification to mitigate negative feedback.
How To Ask for Vendor Reviews
Suppliers and other companies you work with are also great sources of positive reviews. Ask them for feedback using the following template:
Dear [Vendor Name],
It’s been a pleasure working with you on [Project/Service]. We continuously strive to build strong partnerships at [Company Name].
We would greatly appreciate it if you could review our collaboration. Your insights are invaluable and help us improve our services and cooperation.
[Google Page Link]
Thank you for your time and continued support. Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Contact Information]
To improve upon this template, personalize the message to reflect the nature of your relationship with the specific vendor. Look for opportunities to highlight the mutual benefits of your partnership and respond quickly to any feedback.
How To Ask for Reviews on Social Media
Social media drives lots of traffic, especially for businesses with visual products. So why not ask for reviews on your social media accounts? The following template can help:
Post Heading: We Love Hearing From You!
Content: Have you recently enjoyed the [Product/Service] you’ve received? We’re on a mission to provide the best [Product/Service], and your feedback is crucial to us.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or leave us a review at [Google Reviews Link]!
Thank you for helping us grow and serve you better!
When asking for reviews on social media, prioritize the platforms your customers use most often and adjust your post to match the specific platform. For example, you’ll want more focus on visuals and use a very concise message on Pinterest, whereas you can go into more detail on Facebook. Respond to comments and leverage hashtags to maximize engagement and reach.
Dos and Don’ts When Asking For Reviews
Knowing when and how to ask for reviews is key to getting the most value out of them and fostering a positive relationship with your customers.
Things You Should Do:
- Ask for reviews immediately after positive interactions and happy purchases.
- Be polite and thank reviewers for their time.
- Respond to reviews — both positive and negative — to show a commitment to improvement.
- Provide easy access to review platforms with links, QR codes, and other methods.
- Integrate review requests into order confirmations and other aspects of the purchasing process to reduce intrusiveness.
- Follow all privacy laws and only ask for reviews through communication channels you have permission to use.
Things You Should Avoid:
- Don’t incentivize positive reviews or encourage customers to say specific things.
- Don’t pressure customers with constant review reminders.
- Don’t ignore negative reviews or try to delete them, as these are opportunities to increase brand credibility through reputation management.
- Don’t argue with customers in review responses.
- Don’t write or solicit fake reviews.
Harness the Power of Google Reviews
Google reviews help you build a trustworthy image, and your Google Business Profile is crucial to enhancing your brand’s credibility online. However, both also play a significant role in SEO.
Not sure where to begin with reviews and SEO? Schedule a free SEO consultation with Victorious, and we’ll create a structured plan to enhance your brand’s credibility and boost search visibility.
