Why asking for reviews works
Most happy customers never leave a review because no one asked. A short, personal message with a direct link turns that goodwill into reviews that help new customers choose you. More recent reviews also help you show up in local search and on maps.
When and how to ask
Ask within a day of the visit or delivery, while the experience is fresh. Use the customer's name and mention what they bought. Make it one tap: a direct link to the review form, not to your profile. Keep it short, thank them either way, and only follow up once.
- Texts get read fastest; keep them under 160 characters if you can.
- Email suits longer projects and B2B clients.
- WhatsApp is ideal where customers already message you there.
SMS length and segments
A single text holds 160 plain characters. Longer messages are split into segments of 153 characters each, and many SMS tools bill per segment. One emoji or a curly quote switches the whole text to Unicode, which cuts a segment to 70 characters. The counter under each message shows the segments, so you can trim before sending a batch.
Stay within the rules
Google's policies don't allow offering discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews, and don't allow asking only happy customers (known as review gating). In the US, the FTC also bans buying fake reviews or suppressing negative ones. Ask everyone the same way and reply to every review, good or bad.
For text messages, make sure you have the customer's consent to contact them, and let them opt out.
Other ways to ask for reviews
Messages work best, but they're not the only way. Print a small card with a QR code that opens your review link and hand it over with the receipt. Add the link to your email signature and your order confirmation emails. Put a sign by the door or on the counter.
Reply to every review within a few days. Thank people by name for good ones. For bad ones, apologize, keep it short and offer to talk it through privately. Future customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a customer for a Google review?
Send a short, personal message within a day of their visit with a direct link to your review form. Thank them, mention what they bought and keep it to two or three sentences.
Where do I get my Google review link?
Use the Google review link generator to make a direct link to your review form. You can also find it in your Google Business Profile under Ask for reviews.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
No. Google doesn't allow incentives for reviews, and the FTC treats paid or incentivized reviews as deceptive in many cases. Just ask politely.
How long should a review request text be?
Under 160 characters keeps it to one SMS segment. Include the customer's name, your business name and the link, and nothing else.
Should I follow up if they don't respond?
Once, a few days later, is fine. After that, let it go. Too many reminders can turn a happy customer into an annoyed one.