Revenue Guides · Reputation
When should you ask a customer for a Google review?
By Tom Mitchell Updated 3 min read
Short answer
Ask soon after the customer has seen the result, usually the same day or within a day or two of finishing the job, and send a direct link to your review page. One polite reminder a few days later is fine. Ask every customer the same way, not just the ones you think are happy. Google's review policies don't allow businesses to selectively ask for positive reviews or to offer anything in exchange for a review.
Why timing matters
The best time to ask is right after the customer has felt the difference: the heat is back on, the new floor is down, the appointment went well. They're pleased and the details are fresh. Wait a few weeks and even very happy customers are less likely to bother.
Timing by type of business
Single-visit jobs
For repairs, service calls and installs, ask the same day, ideally soon after the technician leaves, or the next morning.
Multi-day projects
For renovations and larger installs, ask after the final walkthrough, once they've seen the finished result.
Appointment-based services
For clinics, studios and similar businesses, ask shortly after the appointment. With regular clients, ask once at a natural moment instead of after every visit.
Recurring services
For lawn care, cleaning and maintenance plans, ask after the first few visits have gone well or after a noticeable result, and don't ask again too often.
How to ask
- Make it personal. A message from the technician, owner or practitioner they dealt with works better than a generic company request.
- Send a direct link to your Google review form so it's one tap, not a search.
- Keep it short. A sentence or two is plenty.
- Say why it helps: reviews help other people nearby find a business they can trust.
- Use the channel they prefer. Text is often easiest, where you have permission to use it.
“Hi Priya, thanks again for having us out today. A quick Google review would really help other people in the area find us: [link]. And if you have any questions or feedback for us, just reply here and it comes straight to me.”
Reminders
Lots of customers mean to leave a review and forget. One friendly reminder a few days later is reasonable. After that, stop. More than that starts to feel like pressure.
What not to do
- Don't only ask the customers you think are happy. Google's policies prohibit selectively asking for positive reviews, and customers can usually tell.
- Don't offer discounts, gifts or prize draws in exchange for reviews.
- Don't ask staff, friends or family to post reviews as if they were customers.
- Don't write or edit reviews for your customers.
Handling negative feedback
Giving unhappy customers an easy way to tell you directly is a good idea. The right person hears about the problem and can fix it quickly. Those customers should still get the same review request as everyone else. Ask everyone the same way, make it easy to reply privately too, and answer public reviews, good or bad, calmly and professionally.
Common questions
Should we ask every customer for a review?
Yes. Ask after every completed job. Only asking the customers you expect to be happy goes against Google's review policies and makes your profile less believable.
Can we offer a discount in exchange for a Google review?
No. Google's policies don't allow businesses to offer incentives in exchange for reviews.
Should we reply to every review?
Replying, especially to negative reviews, shows future customers how you handle problems. Keep replies short, specific and professional, and don't share private customer details.
Next step
Want to see where your follow-up may be slipping?
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