How to get more Google reviews, honestly

Short answerAsk real customers soon after a good experience, make it easy with your direct review link, and reply to every review. Never buy, fake or trade rewards for reviews. UK law bans fake reviews, Google's policies prohibit incentivised ones, and AI can also pick up on odd patterns.

How to ask

1. Get your review link from your Google Business Profile.
2. Ask in person, by text or on the receipt, ideally the same day.
3. Keep it short: "If you were happy, a Google review helps us a lot. It takes a minute." Don't write the review for them.
4. Ask everyone, not only happy customers. Selecting only the happy ones can break platform rules.

How to reply

Thank people by name, mention a specific detail, and answer complaints calmly with a way to resolve them offline. Replies show readers, and the assistants that quote reviews, how you behave.

What not to do

• Buy reviews or ask staff to post them.
• Offer discounts or gifts in return for reviews.
• Gate reviews so only positive ones reach Google.

Why reviews matter for AI

Review platforms are among the most cited sources in studies of AI answers, and vendor research on local queries points to Google reviews as a key factor. Treat the vendor figures as indicative, not proof.

Questions people ask

Related guides

• How to set up your Google Business Profile
• How to get your business recommended by AI
• Can you pay ChatGPT to recommend your business?

Sources

• Google Business Profile Help
• Peec AI analysis of 30 million citations, reported by Search Engine Land (31 March 2026)
• UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (fake reviews banned)