How do I find and share my Google review link?
What is a Google review link?
A Google review link is a web address that opens a review form for your business. A customer taps it and writes a review. They do not have to search for your business first.
Google’s help pages say you can share a review request link or a QR code to encourage customers to leave reviews. The QR code does the same job as the link. A customer scans it with a phone camera.
Do not confuse this with a link to one existing review. That is a different link. The section below explains it.
How do I find my review request link?
You need access to your Business Profile. The profile must be yours and you must be signed in to the Google Account that manages it.
- Sign in to the Google Account that manages your Business Profile.
- Search Google for your business name, or open your Business Profile from Google Maps.
- Look for the option to ask for reviews or share a review form.
- Select it. Google shows a link and a QR code.
- Select the copy option to copy the link.
- Paste the link into a note on your phone so you can find it again.
Google changes the layout of these screens from time to time. If you cannot find the option, search the Google Business Profile Help pages for “create a link or QR code to request reviews”. That page shows the current steps.
How do I get a link to one customer’s review?
You may want to show a good review on your website or in a post. Google’s help pages give these steps for a link to one review:
- Go to Google Maps.
- Search for your business name and city.
- Select Reviews.
- Next to the review you want to share, select More, then Share review.
- In the Share window, select Send a link.
- Under “Link to share,” select Copy link.
Google shows “COPIED TO CLIPBOARD” next to the link when the copy works. This link goes to that one review. Do not send it to a customer who needs to write a new review.
How do I share the link with customers?
Send the link at the moment the customer is happy. That is usually right after you finish the job or the visit. Use the channel that fits your business.
- Text message: Send a short thank-you note with the link.
- Email: Put the link in your invoice email or follow-up email.
- Print: Put the QR code on a receipt, a card, or a sign at the counter.
- Your website: Add a plain link on your contact page.
Keep the message short and polite. Ask for an honest review. Do not tell the customer what to write.
What does CASL mean for review requests?
In Canada, the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) covers commercial electronic messages. A review request sent by text or email may count as one, depending on how it is worded. Practical steps that help:
- Send the request to people who have done business with you.
- Say clearly who you are in the message.
- Give a simple way to stop future messages.
- Keep a record of how you got each customer’s contact details.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you send review requests in volume, ask a lawyer to check your process.
Can I offer a discount or gift for a review?
No. Google’s content policy does not allow incentives. It names payment, discounts, and free goods or services as examples. This applies to a review, to a change to a review, and to removal of a negative review.
Google also does not allow a business to discourage negative reviews or to ask for positive reviews only. Do not pressure customers to write a review while they are on your premises. Do not ask staff to collect a set number of reviews. Do not ask for specific content in a review, such as a staff member’s name.
The Competition Bureau of Canada also treats fake or misleading reviews as a concern for advertising. Honest requests keep you on the safe side of both Google and Canadian rules.
What should I do after the reviews arrive?
Reply to reviews from your Business Profile. You must verify your business first. Select Read reviews, then Reply.
Google checks each reply against its content policies. A reply is usually checked within about 10 minutes. Sometimes it takes up to 30 days. The customer gets a notice when you reply.
Keep replies short, polite, and specific. Do not offer deals in a reply. If a review breaks Google’s policies, you can flag it. Do not flag a review only because you disagree with it.
Questions people also ask
Does my customer need a Gmail account to leave a review?
The customer must be signed in to a Google Account. They can set one up with a non-Gmail email address, so Gmail is not required.
Do I need to verify my business before I reply to reviews?
Yes. Google says you must verify your business before you can reply to reviews. After that, you reply from your Business Profile.
How long does Google take to approve my reply to a review?
Replies usually take up to 10 minutes to check. Sometimes a check takes up to 30 days. If Google does not approve a reply, it asks you to edit it.
Can I report a review I think is unfair?
You can report any review, but Google removes only reviews that break its policies. Do not report a review just because you dislike it. Google does not get involved in disputes between businesses and customers.
Should I use the same link for every customer?
Yes. One review request link works for all customers of your business. Save it in one place so your staff use the same link.
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