How to ask for a Google review.
Ten copy-paste templates for text, email, in-person, and the one polite follow-up — written for small local businesses, safe under Google's review policies.
Text message review requests
Highest open rates. Send within a few hours of the job, while the experience is fresh.
Hi [Name], thanks for choosing [Business] today! If you were happy with the work, a quick Google review would mean a lot to our small team: [Review Link]
[Name], it was great taking care of your [service] today. Would you take 60 seconds to share how it went? [Review Link] — Thanks! [Your Name], [Business]
Thanks again, [Name]! Reviews are how neighbors find us. If we earned it, we'd love yours: [Review Link]
Email review requests
Best when you already email invoices or follow-ups — add the ask to a message they expect.
Subject: How did we do, [Name]? Hi [Name], Thanks for trusting [Business] with your [service]. If everything went well, would you share a quick review? It takes about a minute and genuinely helps other people find us: [Review Link] If anything wasn't right, just reply to this email — I read every one. [Your Name] [Business]
Subject: One small favor Hi [Name], Glad we could help this week! We're a small business, and Google reviews are how most of our customers find us. If you have a minute, here's the link: [Review Link] Thank you — it really does matter. [Your Name]
In-person and phone scripts
The ask that works best is personal — these give your team the words.
"I'm really glad that worked out. If you have a minute later, a Google review helps us more than any ad we could buy — I'll text you the link so it's one tap."
"Thanks for your patience today. Would it be okay if I sent you a quick link to review us? It takes about a minute and it's a big deal for a shop our size."
Follow-up (one gentle nudge)
One reminder, about a week later, only if they haven't reviewed. Then stop.
Hi [Name], just a gentle nudge — if you meant to leave [Business] a review and life got busy, here's the link again: [Review Link]. Either way, thanks for your business!
Subject: No worries if not! Hi [Name], A week ago I asked about a review — totally understand if it slipped by. If you've got one minute, here's the link: [Review Link]. If not, no worries at all; we appreciate you either way. [Your Name]
After fixing a problem
The strongest reviews often come from a save. Ask only AFTER it's genuinely resolved.
Hi [Name], thanks for giving us the chance to make that right. If you feel we got there in the end, an honest review of the whole experience would mean a lot: [Review Link]
Swap the [bracketed] fields for your details. When the reviews come in, reply to every one — our free review response generator drafts it for you.
Reviews start with the experience.
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Review request FAQs
How do I ask a customer for a Google review?
Ask personally, ask fast, and make it one tap. The formula that works: thank them for the specific job, tell them honestly why reviews matter to a small business, and send the direct review link by text within a few hours of the service. The templates above follow that shape.
Where do I get my Google review link?
In your Google Business Profile, look for "Ask for reviews" (or the share icon on your reviews) — it gives you a short link that opens the review box directly. Use that link in every template; making people search for you loses half of them.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
No — Google’s policies prohibit incentivizing reviews, and it can get reviews (or your profile) removed. Ask honestly, make it easy, and let the work earn the stars. You can absolutely thank people after, just don’t make the review a condition of anything.
How many times should I follow up?
Once. A single gentle nudge about a week later catches the people who meant to and forgot. More than that trades a review for a relationship — not a good trade for a local business.
What do I do when a bad review comes in anyway?
Respond quickly, specifically, and calmly, then move the fix offline. Our free review response generator drafts the reply for you — edit it so it sounds like you, then post.
Earn more of the reviews worth asking for.
Point Zurvo at your website and try it free for 3 days. Set up in about five minutes.