How to Get More Google Reviews: 18 Tips to Maximize Your Reviews

When it comes to building trust online with potential customers, there is nothing more important today than Google reviews. These small endorsements may only be a sentence or two, but taken in aggregate, they become the digital equivalent of a personal recommendation or referral.

For nearly any business, getting more positive reviews on Google can mean the difference between growth and decline. 

Plus, a steady stream of positive Google reviews will both boost your online reputation and improve your local SEO, giving your business the edge it needs to rank higher in search results on Google. But the question is — how do you get more Google reviews in the first place? 

In this article, we’ll walk you through 18 of the most actionable tips you can use to get more Google reviews. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to leveraging your website, we’ll help you build your online reputation so you can grow your business.

Why Are Google Reviews So Important?

Google reviews are more than just snippets of text online — they’re a powerful tool that can help businesses build trust, attract customers, and improve online visibility. Not only do they enhance your reputation, but they also play a direct role in your business’s search rankings on Google.

Still not sold? Here are a couple of reasons you should take your reviews on Google seriously:

• Build trust and credibility: Positive reviews serve as social proof, giving potential customers the reassurance they need that your product is going to be good and that your business is reliable.
• Boost local SEO rankings: Google favors businesses with higher numbers of positive reviews, helping you rank higher in local search results.
• Increase click-through rates: A well-rated Google Business Profile with visible star ratings can attract more clicks from searchers.
• Influence purchasing decisions: Many consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
• Provide valuable customer feedback: Reviews, both positive and negative, offer insights into what your business is doing well and where improvements can be made.
• Opportunity to engage: Responding to reviews, especially negative ones, shows potential customers that you value feedback and are committed to a good customer experience.

How to Get More Google Reviews: 18 Simple Tips 

Getting more Google Reviews is not just about asking your customers — it’s about making the process as seamless and natural as possible. Here are 18 tips that can help you increase your Google reviews and build a stronger online reputation.

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

To begin interacting with your Google reviews, you first need to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. This is the foundation for appearing in local search results and collecting reviews.

Why It’s Helpful

A well-maintained Google Business Profile ensures that your business is easily found and that your customers have accurate, up-to-date information about it. Plus, businesses with complete profiles are considered more trustworthy by both users and Google.

Tips to Implement:

• Fill out every field: Include your business address, contact details, business hours, and website link.
• Add high-quality photos: Use optimized images for your GBP to make your business more appealing and increase customer engagement with your profile.
• Choose the right categories: Select the most relevant business categories so potential customers can easily find you.
• Update regularly: Keep your profile fresh with new photos, posts, and offers to encourage engagement.

2. Generate a Google Review Link

Once your profile is ready, you’ll want to make it as easy as possible for customers to leave a review. Google provides a unique review link that you can place in emails, SMS messages, and on your site to direct users straight to your review page.

Why It’s Helpful

A direct link reduces friction in the review process. When customers don’t have to search for where to leave a review, they’re more likely to follow through. This also simplifies sharing the link across multiple platforms.

Tips to Implement

• Use the Google Business Profile Manager: Go to the “Get More Reviews” button and generate a short, shareable URL.
• Shorten the link: Use tools like Bitly or TinyURL to make the link easier to share.
• Create a QR code: Add the link to a scannable QR code for in-store customers.

3. Share the Google Review Link Via Multiple Channels

Sharing the review link across more channels makes it more likely that you’ll get it in front of as many customers as you possibly can.

Why It’s Helpful

Different customers interact with your business on different platforms. By placing your review link everywhere, you can reach a wider audience and make it more likely that customers will leave a review.

Tips to Implement

• Email campaigns: Include the link in thank-you emails, newsletters, and follow-up emails after a purchase.
• SMS: Send out a polite text reminder with the review link to recent customers.
• Social media posts: Share the review link on your Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts to engage your followers.
• Email signatures: Add a “Leave us a Google review” link in your team’s email signatures for a subtle yet effective prompt.

4. Create Physical Review Reminders

Sometimes, your customers need a little help to leave a review, and physical reminders can be a highly effective way to do this. You can create a physical reminder by handing out a card after a transaction or displaying a sign in-store — anything that prompts customers to leave you a review. 

Why It’s Helpful

Physical reminders help you catch customers while their experience is still fresh. This in-your-face approach makes it easier for customers to take immediate action, especially if you pair it with a QR code for convenience.

Tips to Implement

• ‘Leave Us a Review’ cards: Print small cards with your review link and hand them to customers after a purchase, or leave them in the packaging you ship.
• Display signage: Place “Review Us on Google” signs around your store, including on checkout counters or in waiting areas.
• Send thank-you postcards: After delivering a product or service, send a postcard thanking customers and inviting them to leave a review.

5. Leverage Your Website

By integrating your Google review link or embedding reviews directly on your website, you can get more customers to give you the feedback you’re looking for.

Why It’s Helpful

When you integrate reviews into your website, you not only improve your credibility with potential customers but also benefit from the SEO boost that user-generated content provides. Plus, making your review link accessible on your website makes it easier for customers to leave a review.

Tips to Implement

• Embed a Google Review widget: Display your existing Google reviews directly on your homepage using widgets or plugins.
• Create a dedicated review page: Develop a page on your website solely dedicated to customer reviews, complete with a Google Review link.
• Pop-up prompts: After a customer completes a purchase or inquiry, trigger a pop-up prompting them to leave a Google review.

6. Engage with Customers

Sometimes, the simplest way to get a review is to ask for one directly. Engaging with your customers, either in person or online, creates a personal connection that increases the likelihood of receiving a review.

Why It’s Helpful  

When you ask a customer for a review directly, you personalize the experience for them and show that you genuinely care about their feedback. This human element can make customers more likely to leave a review, especially when they’ve had a positive interaction.

Tips to Implement  

• Ask for reviews in person: Teach your staff how to ask for reviews or feedback, whether in-store or over the phone.
• Emphasize how easy it is: Remind customers they can simply leave a star rating or write just a short comment.
• Start with a survey: If your customers feel uncertain about leaving a public review, send them a survey first. Use this feedback as a stepping stone to request a Google review.

7. Respond to Your Google Reviews (Positive and Negative)

Once you start receiving Google Reviews, it’s crucial to engage with them by responding — regardless of whether the feedback is good or bad. 

Why It’s Helpful  

Responding to reviews shows your dedication to giving your customers a great experience. It also helps you foster trust with potential customers who are checking your reviews to see how you handle feedback. 

Tips to Implement  

• Respond promptly: Acknowledge reviews within a few days to show that you’re attentive to customer feedback.
• Be professional and courteous: Respond to positive reviews with a quick word of thanks and address any issues mentioned in negative reviews with a resolution-focused attitude.
• Use responses as an opportunity: Negative reviews can become opportunities to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Learn more about responding to reviews in our guides to crafting responses to negative and positive reviews. 

8. Know and Follow Google’s Review Solicitation Policies

The last thing you need when investing time and effort into getting more Google reviews is to lose all your progress because you broke Google’s rules. For this reason, it’s important to review that all of your practices comply with Google’s guidelines to avoid penalties or the removal of reviews.

Why It’s Helpful  

Google has specific policies on how reviews can be solicited. By adhering to these guidelines, you avoid potential penalties and ensure the reviews you receive are positively affecting your business.

Tips to Implement  

• Avoid review gating: Don’t filter reviews by only asking happy customers to leave a review.
• Don’t offer incentives for positive reviews: Google prohibits offering rewards for reviews in any way, and doing so can lead to you being penalized.
• Review Google’s guidelines regularly: Stay updated on any policy changes to ensure your business remains compliant.

9. Use Review Request Templates

Having ready-to-go templates for requesting reviews can save time and ensure consistency in how you ask for feedback. Whether it’s over the phone, in-store, or on social media, having templates for how to ask for a review the right way can help your team get your product or service more reviews on Google. 

Why It’s Helpful  

Templates make the review request process easier and more efficient. By standardizing your requests, you can maintain a professional tone while tailoring the message as needed to suit different customer interactions.

Tips to Implement  

• Create different templates for various channels: Develop separate email, SMS, and social media templates that can be customized for each request.
• Personalize templates: Add the customer’s name and reference their specific purchase or interaction to make the request feel more personal.
• Keep it simple: Make your template clear and concise with a direct call to action.

Get a series of review request templates for all of your marketing channels in our guide to asking for more reviews. 

10. Create a Google Review Instruction Video

Not everyone is comfortable with technology. A short, easy-to-follow video can demystify the review process and encourage more customers to leave feedback.

Why It’s Helpful  

You don’t want to lose a review only because someone isn’t familiar with how to leave one. Create a quick instructional video that walks them through the process so they can help your business.

Tips to Implement  

• Keep the video short: Aim for 1-2 minutes with clear, step-by-step instructions.
• Share it across platforms: Embed the video across all of your online assets, including emails, newsletters, SMS messages, and more.
• Use simple language: Avoid technical jargon and make the process as straightforward as possible.

11. Learn From Your Negative Reviews

Negative reviews are always going to happen, but they can also be opportunities for growth. Instead of dreading them, learn from the feedback and use it to improve your business.

Why It’s Helpful  

Negative reviews provide insights into areas where your business might need improvement. Addressing these issues not only improves your service but also shows potential customers that you’re proactive about customer satisfaction.

Tips to Implement  

• Analyze recurring themes: Look for patterns in negative feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Respond professionally: Apologize for any mistakes, and explain the steps you’re going to take to make it right.
• Use feedback to make changes: Implement adjustments based on customer concerns to avoid future negative reviews.

12. Share Customer Success Stories

Sharing real-life success stories, either from Google Reviews, social media interactions, or somewhere else, encourages positive reviews and builds trust with potential customers.

Why It’s Helpful  

When potential customers see others’ positive experiences, it reinforces the credibility of your business. It also shows that your reviews are authentic and based on real interactions, making it more likely for others to contribute their own positive experiences.

Tips to Implement  

• Highlight stories on social media: Share customer success stories with your followers, and then encourage others to share their experiences as well. 
• Use quotes from reviews: Use the most impactful quotes from your Google Reviews and showcase them in newsletters, blog posts, and case studies.
• Feature stories on your website: Dedicate a section to customer testimonials and success stories that link back to your Google Reviews.

13. Get Google Reviews From Vendors and Partners

Your vendors and partners are part of your extended network and can provide reviews that reflect your business relationships.

Why It’s Helpful  

Getting reviews from vendors and partners not only diversifies your review portfolio but also highlights the strength of your business partnerships. These reviews can reinforce your reliability and professionalism in your industry.

Tips to Implement  

• Reach out to long-term partners: Ask your most reliable partners to leave reviews based on their experience working with your business.
• Offer to exchange reviews: If appropriate, offer to review your partners’ businesses in return, ensuring the feedback remains genuine and compliant with Google’s policies.
• Feature these reviews: Add vendor and partner reviews to a dedicated section of your Google Business Profile to showcase your business relationships.

14. Use Feedback Surveys

Surveys are an easy-to-create-and-replicate strategy for gauging customer satisfaction before asking for a Google Review. They can provide valuable insights and also act as a soft introduction to leaving a more formal review online.

Why It’s Helpful  

By sending out a survey first, you can spot customers who may be more likely to give you a positive review. Plus, surveys provide feedback that you can act on, even if customers aren’t yet ready to leave a public review.

Tips to Implement  

• Send post-purchase surveys: After a sale or service, send a quick survey to gauge how happy customers are with their experience.
• Include a review link in survey responses: Add a prompt to leave a review on Google at the end of the survey.
• Use surveys to improve: Analyze responses from unsatisfied customers and address their concerns before asking for a Google review.

15. Consider Using Automated Review Generation Tools

Automated review generation tools can help streamline the process of requesting and collecting reviews, especially if you have a large customer base.

Why It’s Helpful  

Automation saves time and ensures that review requests are consistently sent out after each customer interaction. These tools also make it easy to track review performance, follow up with customers, and improve your overall review strategy.

Tips to Implement

• Use tools like Chatmeter: Chatmeter allows you to automate review requests and reminders across various communication channels.
• Set up automation triggers: Ensure that review requests are sent after key moments like purchases, bookings, or services.
• Monitor the results: Use reporting features to track which channels generate the most reviews and adjust your approach accordingly.

16. Time Your Review Requests Appropriately

When you ask for a review can be just as important as how you ask for it. Timing your requests when a customer is most satisfied increases the likelihood of receiving positive feedback.

Why It’s Helpful

Customers are more likely to leave reviews when they’ve just had a positive interaction with your business. Timing your requests strategically allows you to capitalize on the moment when your customers are most likely to provide glowing feedback.

Tips to Implement

• Ask right after a positive interaction: Whether it’s after a successful service, delivery, or customer support experience, request the review while the experience is still fresh.
• Avoid asking during busy times: Don’t overwhelm customers during busy seasons or right after a large sale event — give them a moment to breathe before asking for feedback.
• Use reminders: If a customer doesn’t respond to your initial request, send a friendly follow-up a few days later.

17. Personalize Your Review Requests

Getting reviews often comes down to how valued a customer feels. Adding personalized touches is a simple way to make customers feel like what they have to say really matters to you. 

Why It’s Helpful

No one responds well to a generic request. People want to feel special and singled out, and review requests are no different. When you go the extra mile and personalize your request, customers are more likely to respond positively, as they appreciate the effort you’ve put into hearing their thoughts.

Tips to Implement

• Include the customer’s name: Personalize the request by addressing the customer by name.
• Reference specific transactions or interactions: Mention the service or product they purchased to show that you’re paying attention to their experience.
• Send from a real person: Instead of sending review requests from a company account, send them from a team member’s email to make the message feel more personal.

18. Explain to Customers What Reviews Mean for Your Business

Many customers don’t realize how impactful their reviews are. A simple explanation can motivate them to take the time to leave feedback.

Why It’s Helpful

When customers understand the importance of their reviews, they’re more likely to see it as an act of support for your business. This fosters a sense of goodwill and encourages them to help out by leaving a review.

Tips to Implement

• Be transparent: Let customers know how much their reviews help your business grow and improve.
• Mention SEO benefits: Explain how their reviews help other customers find your business through search engines.
• Create a thank-you page: After a customer leaves a review, direct them to a page that thanks them for their support and explains the impact of their feedback.

Get More Out of Google With Chatmeter

Google Reviews are more than simple online feedback — they’re a critical asset for growing your business online. By consistently collecting reviews and managing them effectively, you can build a solid reputation, increase trust, and improve your local SEO rankings. 

But reviews are just one part of a successful Google strategy. To get the most out of Google, it’s important to continue optimizing other areas of your Google presence.

One way to optimize your presence on Google (and the other online directories your business should be listed on) is to use Chatmeter.

Chatmeter uses the power of AI and machine learning to help your business grow its reputation online. It includes features like AI review responses, sentiment analysis, and so much more.

If you’re ready to get more reviews and grow your presence on Google, sign up for a Chatmeter demo today or try our free interactive demo below to see how modern businesses are growing online. 

Take a tour of Chatmeter