Why recent reviews matter
74% of consumers look for reviews written in the last three months (BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026). Fifty reviews from three years ago help less than a few new ones every month, so ask after every job instead of in bursts.
Get your review link
Open your Business Profile on a computer
Google’s review QR codes can only be made in a computer browser, not on a phone (Google).
Go to Read reviews, then Get more reviews
Copy the link, or save the QR code for invoices and leave-behind cards (Google).
Test it
Open the link on your phone, signed out of your business account, so you see what a customer sees.
When and how to ask
Ask the same day the job is finished, while the fix is fresh. A text works well because the customer has the phone in hand and the link opens in one tap. Send one reminder at most, a few days later.
Same day
Thanks for having us out today, Linda. If you have a minute, a Google review helps a small business like ours a lot: [link]
One reminder
Hi Linda, it's [Business]. If you get a chance, here's the review link again: [link]. Thanks either way.
Ask in person too, when it fits. A tech who says “you’ll get a text from us with a review link” makes the text expected instead of random.
What Google and the FTC don’t allow
- No rewards. Google’s policy bans offering payment, discounts or free goods or services in exchange for reviews (Google).
- No filtering. You can’t ask only the happy customers, or send unhappy ones to a private form while happy ones get the Google link. Google calls this selectively soliciting positive reviews (Google).
- No review quotas for staff. Google lists asking staff to collect a set number of reviews as not allowed (Google).
- No reviews from employees. Google treats current or former employment as a conflict of interest (Google).
- No fake reviews and no pressure to remove bad ones. The FTC’s rule on consumer reviews, in force since October 21, 2024, bans fake reviews, rewards tied to a positive or negative rating, and threats or intimidation used to suppress negative reviews (FTC final rule).
Asking every customer the same way is also the easiest system to run: one message, one link, after every job.
Reply to the reviews you get
Google recommends replying to reviews (Google). Keep it short and specific: mention the job and thank them. For a bad review, say what you’ll do and how to reach you. Don’t argue in public, and don’t post the customer’s details.
How we handle it
Review requests are in every plan: after each job, every customer gets the same thank-you text with your Google review link.