Google Reviews Guide: How to Get, Manage & Delete In 2024
Learn about Google reviews and how to get, manage and embed them on your website to increase trust and acquire new customers.
According to recent studies, customers mostly check Google Reviews, the leading site with 81% (see chart here) compared to all other review sites.
After all, Google reviews significantly influence a business’s online visibility and credibility, ultimately impacting customers’ decisions.
So, in this article, we explore many methods to get more reviews on Google, with actionable tips, practical advice, and expert insights to help you skyrocket your business.
When users search for a service on Google, the search engine provides results that consider the proximity to the user and the ratings of local businesses on Google. That rating is aggregated by the reviews people submit via Google Search or the Google Maps app.
So why do people read Google reviews? In a nutshell:
Google reviews offer valuable information about а business’s operations and customers’ real interactions and experiences with that business. Ultimately, Google reviews matter because the vast majority of customers discover local businesses there, making Google the most important review platform for local businesses.
The way businesses climb the rating ladder is via effective digital marketing tactics and SEO practices, one of which is the number of genuine reviews they collect—the more you have (bad and good), the better since more reviews equal greater relevance.
Therefore, if you have many positive reviews and your business is close to your searchers, it will appear at the top of the SERPs.
Note: Once your collect negative and positive Google reviews on your Google Business Profile, your potential customers will be able to see them in local search results when searching for a certain product (or your business specifically) and when they access your location on Google Maps. Usually the location with the top Google reviews rating will appear first, for example:
How to Get More Google Reviews from Your Customers? 15 Ways
Ready to use Google reviews to boost your brand’s reputation and ranking? Here are some of the best ways to get Google reviews that can help achieve just that. Note that some of these methods are shared by marketing experts and business owners whom our team asked to provide personal experiences.
However, to collect reviews successfully, you must first get your Google review link. To do that, you only have to find your business on Google, tap ‘Ask for reviews’ in your Google Business Profile, and copy the link that appears in the pop-up window.
So, without further ado, let’s check out ten proven strategies to help you get more Google reviews to boost your online reputation and get more customers.
15 methods to get more Google reviews
Real-life experiences shared by marketers and business owners.
Once there, click ‘Manage now’ (top-right corner) and follow a few simple steps, such as inputting your business name and category, choosing your location on the map, and providing details like your delivery service, business hours, and messaging options.
Are you done verifying your profile? Good. Now let’s optimize it!
There are various changes you can make to your profile to make it more visible and accessible to potential customers, including but not limited to adding photos of your products, services, and physical stores, describing your offerings, and using Google Posts.
Additionally, you should choose appealing photos, be detailed with your business information and descriptions, and respond to every review you receive.
Remember: people want to see that your business is actively improving its offering and interacting with potential customers, so you must show that regularly.
2. Ask for reviews via email and SMS
Your happy customers will gladly review your business—all you have to do is ask!
One of the most straightforward strategies is to collect Google reviews via email after confirming a transaction or rendered service.
You just need to send a personalized email thanking them for their business and kindly ask them to leave a review. However, make sure to include a direct link to your Google review page to make the process as easy as possible for your customers:
3. Get reviews on Google My Business when sending invoices
Another good moment to ask for a review is when you send a bill or an invoice—a method that can be particularly effective for businesses that provide ongoing services. Just include a note in your invoice emails asking for a review and provide a link to your Google page.
4. Mention reviews during phone calls
If your business requires regular phone interaction with customers, consider asking for reviews at the end of a successful call. This can be a great way to get customer reviews on Google, especially if customers are satisfied with the service they receive.
5. Embed Google review CTAs on your pages
Including a call-to-action (CTA) for getting Google reviews in your email signature, newsletter, website, or other digital destinations is another effective way to encourage Google reviews. This could be a text prompt or a clickable button that directs users to your Google review page:
Showcase several Google reviews on your website, and have a button below that people can click to leave their reviews.
Then, after every successful purchase or job is done, send them a screenshot of that with a link and encourage them to also leave a reply with the message: “We hope that by showing previous happy customers, you were convinced to also work/order with us. Would you leave your experience to help other customers in the future?”
6. Automate the review collection process
Automating your review requests and collection process can save you plenty of time since you’ll ensure that every customer is asked for a review and is granted the option to submit one quickly. Various online tools allow you to send automated email or SMS review requests after a certain trigger event, such as after finalizing a product or service purchase or subscription.
For example, check out this automatic review collection email a Shopify store automatically sends out to customers after they make a purchase:
7. Obtain reviews via surveys
Surveys can be a great way to gather customer feedback and encourage the submission of future reviews.
However, once they do, you’ll get much more than a review; you’ll also obtain highly-valued feedback that will help you devise a strategy to improve your services. While customers fill in the survey, you can add a link to your Google reviews page, and include this as an option for them to further help you out and provide you a public review.
According to my experience as a Chief Marketing Officer, getting reviews through surveys is a great way to collect customer feedback and encourage future Google reviews. You can add a link to your Google reviews page, giving customers the option to further assist you and provide a public review.
The good thing about adopting this method is that you get much more than just a review; you will also get highly valued and detailed feedback through surveys, which will help you devise a strategy to improve your services or products.
Here’s one such example of a beauty salon survey:
8. Increase reviews on Google via social media platforms
Perhaps the most convenient method for getting Google reviews is to utilize your social media channels. You can occasionally add a quick review request underneath your posts or in your link in bio, especially when you are showing off your latest products and services. Also, remind your followers about the importance of reviews and how they help your business.
Check out this Instagram link-in-bio section of an Origami store:
9. Add a Google reviews badge on your website
Last but not least, a very practical, effective, and aesthetically pleasing solution is to add a Google reviews badge on your website that will show the rating from your posts and also add a link to your Google reviews page.
Check out some of the Google review badges you can embed to redirect users to your Google location so they can submit their testimonials via the Google review form:
However, always remember to thank your customers for leaving a review, especially if they leave a glowing review. Here are some excellent positive responses to use!
NFC (Near Field Communication) business cards are gaining popularity and can be a useful tool for soliciting reviews from customers. Here’s a potential method to utilize them for this purpose.
Here is how it works.
Integration with review platforms: First, ensure that your NFC business cards are programmed to link directly to review platforms relevant to your business. This could be Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, or industry-specific review sites.
Personal interaction: When you hand over your NFC business card to a customer, personally encourage them to leave a review. A genuine request can make a significant impact.
Ease of use: The convenience factor plays a crucial role. With an NFC card, customers can simply tap the card with their NFC-enabled smartphone, and they will be taken directly to the review page. This removes the need for them to search for your business online.
From what I’ve seen, a unique way to get more Google reviews for your business is to make the process interactive and fun for your customers. For instance, you could set up a “selfie station” at your business, depending on the niche, with props and a branded backdrop where customers can take photos. Encourage them to post these on their social media with a hashtag you’ve created, and offer to send them a link to leave a Google review in exchange.
This not only creates a fun experience that customers are likely to remember, but it also integrates the review process with an enjoyable activity, making them more inclined to leave a positive review. Plus, it’s a great way to increase your social media presence and visibility at the same time, so you get a bit of a double benefit!
12. Host a Google Review Party
Based on my experience, one unconventional approach to garnering more Google reviews for your business is by organizing and hosting a Google Review Party. Yes, it’s a real thing! While it’s commonly seen with brick-and-mortar stores hosting promotional events at their physical locations, it’s also feasible for online businesses, provided you have incentives to offer.
If you’re seeking to significantly boost your Google Reviews in an ethical manner, hosting a review party could be an effective strategy. You would invite guests such as clients, colleagues, and others who can provide honest reviews of your business.
It’s essential to have QR codes readily available for easy access and use during the event, along with devices for tapping phones. During the event, which could be a sports viewing party, a dinner, or any business-related activity, the main goal is for everyone to have a great time. However, at some point, you’ll want to encourage guests to take a couple of minutes to scan the QR code and leave a Google review.
This approach significantly increases the chances of receiving 5-star reviews, as most attendees will feel compelled to contribute a review as a token of appreciation for the enjoyable event you’ve hosted.
13. Utilize QR codes for instant reviews
One unique approach that I’ve successfully implemented to get more Google reviews is incorporating a QR code into our sales collateral and displays at events. This QR code, when scanned by a customer’s smartphone, directly links to our Google review page. We ensure the QR code is prominently featured on items like brochures, flyers, and even digital screens at our point of sale or during events.
The simplicity and instant access provided by the QR code make it easier for customers to leave a review right at the moment of engagement when their experience with our service or product is freshest in their minds. Using QR codes to collect Google reviews is a strategy not only boosts the likelihood of receiving a review but also enhances the customer’s interaction with our brand by leveraging modern technology.
14. Celebrate customers with Appreciation Events
From my experience, one unique approach to garner more Google reviews for your business is by implementing a ‘review appreciation event’ where you celebrate your customers and their feedback. This event can take the form of a customer appreciation day, where you invite loyal patrons to your store or office for a special gathering.
During the event, express gratitude to your customers for their support and contributions to your business’s success, emphasizing the importance of their feedback in shaping your services and products. You can offer complimentary refreshments, exclusive discounts, or even small giveaways as tokens of appreciation. As part of the event, encourage attendees to leave a Google review about their experience with your business, highlighting the positive aspects they appreciate the most.
To make the event more engaging and memorable, consider incorporating interactive elements such as a photo booth, live music, or a fun activity related to your business. Encourage customers to share their experiences and take photos or videos at the event, which they can later post on social media along with their Google review.
15. Encourage personal employee reviews
In most cases, getting customers to leave Google reviews boils down to reminding them to do so. Still, some businesses and industries, especially those outside the service industry, may need more help than simple reminders to prompt customers to voice their opinions.
Our favorite advice is to have employees ask customers to review themselves rather than the entire company.
Some companies are too large or complex, and customers may feel intimidated, or they may not know what to say about the entire company, so they avoid reviews altogether. When given a smaller task, writing about their experience with one employee, it becomes simple to know what to say!
From there, workers can use common techniques to remind customers to review themselves, such as in-store signage, business cards with QR codes, and reminder emails with links to Google reviews.
It can also be fun to include QR codes with links to Google on small gifts like bookmarks, rulers, or other items that relate to the business. Employees can also be incentivized to encourage reviews of themselves with monthly or quarterly prizes for getting the most reviews that mention their name.
related to this, some companies suggest incentivizing their employees in order to get Google reviews, such as:
For service businesses, we ensure that if a customer gives a 5-star review, the sales or customer support worker is given a $5 tip. It’s the best incentive, and the employees are well-aligned with the business’s long-term success.
How to Ask for Google Customer Reviews? Email and SMS Examples
Let’s check out a few practical and industry-specific email templates designed to encourage customers to fill out surveys and leave Google Reviews for various businesses, including restaurants, hotels, dental clinics, auto repair shops, and fitness centers:
For restaurants
Here is a simple email on how to get reviews on Google for your restaurant:
Subject: We’d love to hear about your dining experience at [Restaurant Name]!
Body: Hi there!
Thank you for choosing [Restaurant Name] for your meal. We hope you enjoyed the food and ambiance. As a small business, we’d appreciate it if you could take a moment to share your experience with us on Google Reviews.
Use the email template below to generate reviews on Google for your hotel:
Subject: How was your stay at [Hotel Name]?
Body: Dear [Customer Name],
Thank you for choosing [Hotel Name] for your recent stay. We hope you had a comfortable and enjoyable time with us. We’d love to hear about your experience and kindly ask if you could share your thoughts on Google Reviews.
Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]
Your valuable feedback allows us to improve our services and ensure future guests have an exceptional experience. We appreciate your time and support!
Warm regards, [Your Name / Hotel Name]
For dental clinics
Subject: Share your experience with [Dental Clinic Name]!
Body: Hello [Customer Name],
Thank you for trusting [Dental Clinic Name] with your dental care. We hope you had a positive experience during your visit. We’d be grateful if you could take a moment to review our clinic on Google Reviews and share your thoughts.
Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]
Your feedback helps us maintain our high standards and provide the best dental care for our patients. We appreciate your support!
Best regards, [Your Name / Dental Clinic Name]
For auto repair shops
Subject: How was your experience at [Auto Repair Shop Name]?
Body: Hi [Customer Name],
Thank you for choosing [Auto Repair Shop Name] for your vehicle’s needs. We hope we were able to meet your expectations and provide excellent service. We’d appreciate it if you could share your experience with us on Google Reviews.
Here’s the link to review us: [Google Review Link]
Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve our services and support our local business. Thank you for your time!
Best regards, [Your Name / Auto Repair Shop Name]
For fitness centers
Subject: How’s your fitness journey going at [Fitness Center Name]?
Body: Hey [Customer Name],
Thank you for being a valued member of [Fitness Center Name]. We hope our facilities and services are helping you achieve your fitness goals. We’d love to hear about your experience with us and ask if you could kindly leave a review on Google Reviews.
Please click here to review us: [Google Review Link]
Your feedback helps us improve our center and provide the best possible environment for our members. We appreciate your support!
Stay fit, [Your Name / Fitness Center Name]
Examples of SMS requests to get more Google reviews
Keeping it simple is one of the best Google review ideas for businesses. So, here are a few text message templates:
Hey [first name]! Please take a moment to leave us a review of your experience with [company name] today at [review link]. Thanks!
Or by specific industry:
Restaurants:
“Hi [Customer Name]! Thanks for dining at [Restaurant Name]. Enjoyed your meal? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please review us on Google: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Restaurant Name]”
Hotels:
“Dear [Customer Name], thank you for staying at [Hotel Name]. We hope you had a great time! Share your experience with us on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Hotel Name]”
Dental clinics:
“Hello [Customer Name], thanks for visiting [Dental Clinic Name]. We’d appreciate your feedback on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Dental Clinic Name]”
Auto repair shops:
“[Customer Name], thank you for choosing [Auto Repair Shop Name]. Let us know how we did on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Auto Repair Shop Name]”
Fitness centers:
“Hey [Customer Name], how’s your fitness journey at [Fitness Center Name]? Share your thoughts on Google Reviews: [Shortened Google Review Link] – [Your Name / Fitness Center Name]”
Remember to shorten the Google Review Link to fit within the SMS character limit and make it more convenient for customers to click.
15 methods to get more Google reviews
Real-life experiences shared by marketers and business owners.
You can easily manage the Google reviews you receive, including displaying them online and responding to them by using a top review management platform.
Plus, you should practice the following strategies daily:
Check up on your reviews daily;
Respond to each new review;
Delete by reporting inappropriate reviews.
Responding to negative, neutral, and positive reviews requires a somewhat different approach. For instance, while you should offer your genuine thanks for positive reviews, you should acknowledge negative reviews and ask the customer how to improve!
Some of the negative or spam reviews may impact your Google reputation. Although there is no direct option to delete a Google review, there is still an option to report and Flag as inappropriate. Here are the steps:
Open Google Maps and go to your business;
Click on the Reviews tab and sort reviews by lowest to highest rating;
Find the review you want to delete and click on the top right three dots menu;
Choose Flag as inappropriate;
Next, choose the reason you want to report, for example, Spam;
And lastly, click Submit.
Steps to report and delete Google review
Embed Google Reviews Widget
Automatically collect and embed Google reviews and use AI reviews management tools to unlock your website’s sales potential.
FYI: You can automatically embed Google reviews widget on your website and show authentic user-generated reviews, increasing trust for more sales. Try it now.
Why do You Need Google reviews
As we briefly mentioned above, collecting more Google reviews does wonders for your business since they come with a slew of benefits for your reach and sales:
They improve your brand trust and credibility—Google is the most used and trusted search engine, so people consider these reviews to be very reliable, which builds confidence and a positive perception in potential customers;
They increase your online exposure—having a higher number of Google reviews often leads to increased visibility in search results, making your business more likely to be discovered by potential customers searching for related products or services;
They boost your position in local SERPs—positive Google reviews for online businesses can influence your local SEO rankings, ensuring your business appears higher up in search results when people are looking for services or products in your area;
They provide feedback about your products—these reviews act as a valuable source of customer feedback, offering insights into what customers love about your products and areas where you might improve, helping you to refine your offerings;
They improve conversions on landing pages—seeing positive reviews on your landing pages can significantly enhance trust, encouraging visitors to take the desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service;
They boost your sales numbers—the enhanced trust, visibility, and improved search engine ranking contributed by Google reviews often lead to an increase in sales, as more potential customers find and choose your business over competitors;
They greatly impact your CTR in search results—the top result in Google organic search results gets 27.6% of all clicks on average. Naturally, as you get closer to the top, you’ll get a larger piece of that CTR pie since you’ll be much more visible to consumers.
As you can see, Google reviews have become very important for today’s businesses as they represent a vital part of their Google Maps marketing strategy and online presence. Ultimately, Google hosts the vast majority of online reviews (over 90%) compared to Facebook.
Google’s algorithm also tries to produce the most relevant results for user queries. If many users review you, whether with 5- or 1-star reviews, Google considers all of them. So, having more reviews increases your chances of getting higher search results.
At the end of the day, the best method is to use a Google reviews management software like EmbedSocial that will help you get as many Google reviews as possible.
Here is what you will get with EmbedSocial:
Aggregate reviews from. multiple Google business profiles in one place
We summarized the most frequent questions about Google reviews. Here is the list:
How to generate Google reviews via email?
There are a few ways to get customers to leave Google reviews, but the easiest one is to use a Google review email campaign. Just send out emails to your customers after they’ve made a purchase, asking them to leave a review on your Google Business page. You can even include the needed link.
Should you buy Google reviews?
Buying Google Reviews is not recommended since that action violates Google’s policies and can damage your business’s reputation. Ethical alternatives like encouraging genuine customer feedback are more beneficial and sustainable.
Can you write a Google review without having a Google account?
Unfortunately, you cannot write and leave a Google review without a Google account. You need to sign into a Google account to ensure that reviews are authentic and reliable. Otherwise, fake customers would intentionally ruin businesses’ reputations.
Can you get fake Google reviews?
No, creating or obtaining fake reviews is against Google’s policies. Google requires that all reviews be honest and based on real experiences. Creating, buying, or encouraging fake reviews can result in penalties, including removal of reviews, suspension of accounts, or legal action.
How to get negative reviews removed?
To remove fake, negative, or defamatory reviews from your Google Business page, you can ask the reviewer to remove it, plead with Google to do it, or report it as spam.
How do I respond to Google reviews?
Usually, you receive an email that you got a new review. After clicking on the respond link, you are redirected to your Google My Business profile, where you can directly write your response. Remember to thank the reviewer for their feedback, apologize if they had a bad experience, and offer to help if they need assistance.
How do I fetch more Google reviews?
Some of the ways to encourage customers to leave reviews include asking them in person, sending them follow-up emails, and adding review links on your website.
How can I get more 5-star Google reviews?
The best way to get a 5-star Google review is to ask customers that you know are happy with your product or service to leave you a review.
Can I copy Google reviews to my website?
Yes, you can, and the easiest method to achieve that is to use a review management tool like EmbedReviews, which lets you embed an entire Google Business reviews widget on your website in just a few minutes and automatically syncs all future reviews.
How to generate reviews on Google?
Getting Google reviews is a multi-step process that may include any or all of the following steps:
Well, the more reviews you have, the better. There’s no such thing as too many reviews. That said, aim to get more reviews than your competitors, regardless of your niche.
Embed Google Reviews Widget
Automatically collect and embed Google reviews and use AI reviews management tools to unlock your website’s sales potential.
FYI: You can automatically embed Google reviews widget on your website and show authentic user-generated reviews, increasing trust for more sales. Try it now.
How to display an aggregated star snippet in Google search?
Do you know those beautiful yellow stars with a review count besides some links in the search results? Well, that’s a review snippet – a simple code embedded on the website that signals Google to display the review count along with the results.
So, what do you need to start with Google rating snippets?
Luckily for you, the EmbedSocial platform provides this functionality, and you can embed your schema.org code and get the rating count next to your search result.
Co-Founder of EmbedSocial and Head of Growth. A previous owner of a Facebook Partner Company and a digital marketing agency. Marketing API geek and a Call of Duty fan.
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