How to get more Google reviews for your business
Reviews help people choose who to trust, and Google says they can help your local ranking too. These six habits bring in more of them without breaking Google’s rules.
1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.
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The 6 habits in the video
The video opens with the question every customer asks: which one would you call? Reviews help them decide.
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Step 1: Ask at the right moment
Right after a job goes well, while they’re still pleased.
The best moment is when the customer thanks you: as you finish the job, hand back the keys or take payment. Ask everyone, though. Google’s rules ban asking only the customers you expect to be happy.
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Step 2: Send a direct link
Copy the review link from your Business Profile and send it by text or email.
In your Business Profile, choose Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link. On a computer, the same screen (opens in a new tab) also gives you a QR code to print on receipts, cards or a sign by the till.
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Step 3: Make it quick
The fewer taps it takes, the more reviews you’ll get.
Send the link with one friendly line, such as: “Thanks again for having us. If you have a minute, a Google review would help us a lot.” Asking people to search for you on Google loses most of them.
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Step 4: Reply to every review
Thank people by name. Keep it short and friendly.
Google advises replies (opens in a new tab) that are clear, helpful and polite, and short enough to read. Leave out any personal details about the customer, and sign off with your name so people see a real person behind the business.
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Step 5: Stay calm with bad ones
Reply politely, offer to put it right, and take the details offline.
Wait until you’re calm, then reply once: thank them, say you’re sorry it went wrong, and give a phone number or email to sort it out. Future customers read your reply as closely as the complaint.
You can’t delete a review yourself. If one breaks Google’s rules, because it’s fake, abusive or off-topic, you can report it, but Google only removes reviews that break its policies (opens in a new tab) and doesn’t settle disputes between businesses and customers.
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Step 6: Never buy or fake reviews
Don’t pay, offer discounts or write them yourself. Google can remove them.
Google’s policy (opens in a new tab) bans payment, discounts or freebies in return for reviews, asking only happy customers, and reviews from staff, family or anyone else with a conflict of interest. When Google finds fake reviews it can remove them, stop your profile getting new reviews for a while, or show a warning (opens in a new tab) on your profile.
The law on fake reviews
In Jersey, the Consumer Protection (Unfair Practices) (Jersey) Law 2018 (opens in a new tab) makes misleading commercial practices an offence. It doesn’t mention reviews by name, but one practice it bans outright is falsely presenting yourself as a consumer.
The UK’s own ban on fake reviews, in force since April 2025, doesn’t extend to Jersey. It can still reach a Jersey business whose marketing is aimed at customers in the UK.
Reviews on your own website
Quote a few of your Google reviews on your website, with a link to your profile so visitors can read the rest. Google doesn’t show review stars (opens in a new tab) in search for reviews a business publishes about itself, so the quotes are there for your visitors.
Common questions
How do I get a link for customers to leave a Google review?
In your Business Profile, choose Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link. On a computer, the same screen also gives you a QR code to print on receipts, cards or a sign by the till.
Can I offer a discount or freebie for a Google review?
No. Google’s policy bans payment, discounts or freebies in return for reviews. If Google finds them, it can remove the reviews, stop your profile getting new ones for a while, or show a warning on your profile.
Can my family or staff leave reviews for my business?
No. Google’s policy bans reviews from staff, family or anyone else with a conflict of interest, and it also bans asking only the customers you expect to be happy.
Can I delete a bad Google review?
Not yourself. You can report a review that breaks Google’s rules, because it’s fake, abusive or off-topic, but Google only removes reviews that break its policies and doesn’t settle disputes between businesses and customers.
How should I reply to a negative review?
Wait until you’re calm, then reply once: thank them, say you’re sorry it went wrong and give a phone number or email to sort it out. Future customers read your reply as closely as the complaint.
Are fake reviews illegal in Jersey?
The Consumer Protection (Unfair Practices) (Jersey) Law 2018 makes misleading commercial practices an offence, and bans falsely presenting yourself as a consumer. The UK’s 2025 ban on fake reviews doesn’t extend to Jersey, but it can reach a Jersey business whose marketing is aimed at UK customers.
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