How to get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)

Reviews do two jobs at once: they reassure the customer deciding whether to call you, and they signal to Google that you're an established, trusted business. The businesses that win at reviews aren't lucky — they simply have a habit of asking. Here's how to build one without breaking any rules.

The one rule that matters: ask, don't incentivise

Google is clear on this. You can ask any customer for an honest review. You can't:

• Offer discounts, freebies, entries to a prize draw, or any reward for reviewing.
• Ask only the customers you know are happy (“review gating”) — you must give everyone the same opportunity.
• Write or buy fake reviews, or review your own business.

Break these and Google can strip your reviews and flag the profile. See why buying reviews backfires for the full picture.

A simple system for more reviews

1. Ask at the peak moment.Right after a job well done, a happy handover, or a warm thank-you — that's when people say yes.
2. Make it one tap. Hand over a direct review link or QR code so there's no hunting for your listing.
3. Ask everyone, every time. Build it into your checkout, your invoice, your follow-up text — not just when you remember.
4. Respond to the ones you get.Replying encourages more reviews and shows you're engaged. See how to respond to reviews.

What to do about bad reviews

A few less-than-perfect reviews are normal and actually make the good ones believable. Respond professionally, fix what you can, and only try to remove reviews that genuinely break Google's rules — covered in how to remove a fake or unfair review.