Before anyone calls, clicks, or buys—they check your Google reviews.

And with 91% of all business searches and 79% of online reviews happening on Google, what shows up in that box could be the reason someone chooses you—or skips right past.

These reviews aren’t just about reputation anymore. They directly influence how high you rank and how many customers actually reach out.

So if you’re serious about showing up, standing out, and staying ahead, it’s time to increase your Google reviews—the right way.

This guide breaks it all down: what you need to get started, and 13 proven strategies to start collecting more reviews starting today.

Why Google Reviews Matter

They might look like just a few stars and comments, but Google reviews pack a punch.

They’re free, quick to leave, and play a major role in how people see your business. Whether someone’s searching for a meal to eat, a local service, or their go-to brand next time around, reviews are often among the first things they look at.

Which is precisely why driving Google reviews isn’t a nice-to-have—it should be a top marketing priority. Here’s why:

• Build Trust and Credibility: 83% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. When potential customers see a steady stream of honest feedback, they’re more likely to trust your business before they ever step through your door.
• Boost Local SEO: Google has confirmed that frequent and positive reviews are a local ranking factor. This means reviews don’t just help your reputation—they help your visibility too. The more quality reviews you collect, the better your chances of appearing in the local pack or map results.
• Save on Ad Spend: There’s no cost to collect or respond to reviews, yet they serve as constant, high-value visibility for your business. In a way, they act as free advertising—right where it matters most: on Google’s search results page.

What You Need Before You Can Get Google Reviews

Before you start collecting reviews, there are a few things that need to be in place. These aren’t just technicalities—they’re the foundation for everything that follows.

• You must have a Google Business Profile: This is the listing that shows up in local search results and on Google Maps. Without it, customers simply won’t have a place to leave their feedback.
• The listing needs to be verified: Just being on Google Maps isn’t enough. You need to claim your Business Profile through a Google Business account and verify that you own it. This gives you full control to manage reviews and update your info.
• Your business must be publicly searchable on Google Maps: If your listing isn’t visible or doesn’t appear when someone searches your business name, no one will be able to leave a review—no matter how great their experience was.

13 Proven Ways to Get More Google Reviews

Getting more Google reviews isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of strategy. Most happy customers won’t leave a review unless you ask—and even then, only if it’s quick and easy.

Below are 13 smart, practical tactics businesses are using in 2026 to increase Google reviews consistently. They’re rooted in the way that people actually act online today—easy, efficient, and simple to begin implementing immediately. Let’s begin with the fundamentals.

1. Learn How the Review Process Works

Before you even ask for reviews, it helps to know what your customers are doing when they want to leave one.

The default process isn’t always smooth. Typically, a customer has to:

• Open Google or Google Maps
• Search for your business
• Click on your Business Profile
• Scroll down to the reviews section
• Click “Write a Review”
• Sign in (if they’re not already)
• Leave their feedback
  

That’s quite a few steps—and even if it only takes a minute, that bit of friction is often enough to stop someone who’s busy or unsure of what to do.

Understanding this process matters. Because once you know where customers tend to drop off, you can fix it—whether that’s with direct links, clearer prompts, or faster paths to review. That’s exactly what we’re covering next.

2. Create a Direct Review Link

If you want more reviews, don’t make people work for it. The easier it is, the more likely they’ll follow through.

One of the simplest ways to do that? Create a direct review link. It takes customers straight to your Google review form—no searching, no scrolling, no guesswork.

Just head to your Google Business Profile dashboard, click on the Home tab, and look for the “Get more reviews” card. Hit “Share review form” and copy the link. Done. You’ve got a shortcut you can use in emails, texts, your website—anywhere you ask for reviews.

One more great tool to use is showcasing reviews on your website with a Google review widget that includes a CTA to leave reviews

3. Shorten the Link

Google’s default review link? It’s clunky and way too long—definitely not ideal for a quick text or a printed card.

That’s why it’s worth taking a minute to shorten it. Use a free tool like Bitly to clean it up and even customize it. Something like: 

bit.ly/review-harborcafe or short.ly/feedback-urbanbistro

A short, branded link feels more trustworthy, looks more polished, and makes it easier for customers to follow through—whether they see it online or offline.

4. Add Review Links to Your Website

When someone’s ready to leave a review, their first destination is generally your website.

That’s why it makes sense to put your Google review link front and center. An obvious call to action—like a “Leave Us a Review” button on your header, footer, or contact page—makes a world of difference.

It must be simple to locate and simpler to click. And when they do, that link should take them straight to your Google review form—no searching, no extra clicks.

Adding the link isn’t just about ease—it also shows you genuinely care about feedback and value your customers’ voices.

5. Create a Dedicated “Leave a Review” Page

Taking it a step further, consider building a full page on your website specifically for reviews.

This page should do two things:

• Encourage customers to leave a review with a direct CTA and link.
• Showcase existing reviews to build trust with new visitors.

You can embed reviews using plugins or tools that automatically pull them in from Google, or manually copy them in. Just make sure they appear in plain text (not just screenshots)—so Google can crawl them for relevant keywords.

Leave the page simple to access from your top-level menu, and ensure it maintains your brand tone and personality.

6. Add a Prompt in Your Website Footer

If someone wants to leave a review while browsing your site, don’t make them hunt for it. One of the easiest and most effective spots to drop your Google review link? The footer.

Why the footer? Because it’s on every page—so no matter where someone is on your site, the option to leave a review is always right there at the bottom.

Keep it subtle and simple. You could add a line like:

“Loved your experience? Leave us a Google review.”

Or drop in a small icon or CTA button that fits your site’s look. The idea is to keep the review link easy to access—without being intrusive.

7. Hand Out Physical Cards

Not everything can be performed online. You can use printed “Leave Us a Review” cards to nicely encourage customer comments after an in-person experience—particularly for shops such as restaurants, salons, retail locations, or service providers.

You can put on the card:

• A short, friendly message encouraging feedback
• Your shortened Google review link (e.g. bit.ly/review-harborcafe)
• A small graphic or QR code for easy access

Example text for the card:
“We would love to hear from you!
Your review helps others find us and keeps us improving.
Leave your feedback at [bit.ly/review-harborcafe] or scan the QR code.

Distribute these at the checkout, stick them on receipts, or put them in packages with deliveries. A quick reminder can make a big difference in earning that additional review.

8. Ask in Person

It might sound simple, but one of the most effective (and underrated) ways to increase Google reviews is just to ask—right then and there.

If a customer shares a compliment, or you’ve just finished a great support call or in-store chat, that’s your moment. People are far more likely to leave a review when the experience is fresh—and they’re feeling good about it.

You don’t need a script—just keep it natural. For example:

• “We are actually glad you visited us today. If you have a chance, we’d appreciate it if you could post a review of your visit on Google.”
• “Your review brightened our day—if it’s not too much trouble, would you happen to leave a quick review online?”
• “Thanks so much! If you’d like to help others discover us, a brief Google review makes all the difference.”

You can even couple your ask with a small visual trigger—a printed card, a counter QR code, or a receipt link. Just be sure it’s fast, understandable, and informal.

9. Highlight How Easy It Is

Even if your customers are happy, they’re never willing to post a review because they believe it’s time-consuming or complicated. A little assurance will suffice.

Let them know:

• A star rating alone still counts
• Writing just 1–2 sentences is more than enough
• The whole thing takes less than a minute
• They can leave a review from their phone—no login needed if they’re already signed into Google

Also, use casual language. Phrases like “drop a quick review” or “share your thoughts real quick on Google” feel more doable than “write a detailed review.”

The goal is to remove hesitation by showing how fast and easy it is.

10. Use Email Follow-Ups

Email follow-ups are one of the most effective and scalable ways to request Google reviews—especially after a positive interaction, purchase, or completed service.

The key is timing and personalization.

• Send the email within 24–48 hours while the experience is still fresh.
• Keep it short and friendly. Thank them for their visit or business, and explain why reviews help.
• Include a direct review link and make your call-to-action clear.

Example CTA:
“If you liked your experience when you visited, we would like to get your feedback. It only takes a moment and it helps other people to find us too.”

Most email platforms allow you to automate this process, so every happy customer gets a gentle nudge without you lifting a finger.

11. Use SMS to Ask for Reviews

Text messages have incredibly high open rates—some studies show over 90%. That makes SMS an ideal channel for quick, direct review requests.

Remember:

• Get permission to send texts to your customers first.
• Keep it concise and to the point.
• Include the shortened Google review link directly in the message.

Example SMS:
“Thanks for visiting [Business Name]! Got a minute? Tap here to leave us a quick Google review: [shortened link]”

SMS works especially well for service-based businesses, online ordering, or appointment-driven models where fast feedback matters.

12. Time It Right

When asking for a review, timing is key.

Wait until the customer’s experience is new in their mind—preferably right after a purchase, visit, or interaction when they’re most satisfied. Catching them at that “feel-good” moment maximizes the chances that they will take action.

Avoid asking:

• Too early—before they’ve had a chance to truly experience your product or service.
• Too late—when the thrill or effect of the experience has passed.

Whether it’s an in-person ask, a follow-up email, or a text message, align your timing with moments of genuine customer satisfaction.

13. Use a Review Management Tool

If you’re gathering reviews manually, it’s simple to let things fall between the cracks. That’s where a review management tool is useful.

These platforms help you:

• Automate review requests via email or SMS.
• Track new reviews across multiple platforms.
• Get alerts so you can respond promptly, especially to negative feedback.
• Watch trends and observe how your reputation is changing over time.

Tools like Birdeye, Podium, Grade.us, or Trustpilot are popular among small and medium-sized companies and make the entire review process easier to manage and scale.

If reviews are a central element of your approach (and they should be), the right tool will cut down on time and provide improved results.

Dos and Don’ts When Asking for Google Reviews

Asking for reviews itself is only part of the story. It is as important how you ask as what you are asking for. Below are a few simple guidelines to keep to remain in sync with Google without losing genuine and long-term customer trust.

✅ Do:

• Establish clear internal guidelines — Ensure that all members of your team know the proper way to request reviews without going against platform rules.
• Monitor which requests work — Keep an informal log to determine what messaging or timing elicits the most replies and make adjustments from there.
• Use multiple touchpoints — Mention reviews across different channels—like email, receipts, or on your website—for better visibility without overdoing it.

❌ Don’t:

• Don’t ask too frequently — Repeated requests can feel spammy. If someone’s already left a review, no need to nudge again.
• Don’t script every request — A rigid or robotic ask can feel forced. Let your team speak in their own voice for authenticity.
• Don’t post on someone’s behalf — Even with permission, Google reviews must come directly from the customer through their account.

Conclusion

Building Google reviews is not all about boosting your online reputation—it’s about establishing trust, showing up where it counts, and making it easy for people to choose you.

You don’t need a complicated strategy to get started. Basic actions—such as sharing a direct review link, asking at the right time, and replying thoughtfully—can create a tangible difference.

Start small, stay consistent, and keep it authentic. The reviews will come—and so will the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take down a review of my company on Google?

You can't remove reviews yourself unless you're the reviewer. But if it is against the guidelines of Google (spam, hate speech, fake post), you can have it removed by reporting it.

How many days does a Google review show up?

The majority of the reviews appear in minutes, but in some situations, they can take an hour or even a day in case of being put in moderation or because of suspicious behavior from Google.

Can customers post a Google review without Gmail?

No, users need a Google account to leave a Google review. It is not necessarily a Gmail account, but it needs to be tied to Google.

Will my Google reviews vanish if I update my business location?

Possibly. If you update your Google Business Profile with a new address but keep the same listing, your reviews typically remain. However, creating a brand-new listing for a new location may reset your reviews.

How many Google reviews do I need for them to matter?

There’s no exact number, but generally, having at least 5–10 high-quality, recent reviews builds trust. Consistency over time matters more than volume all at once.