How to ask customers for a Google review

By JP, who runs Ralphio. Updated 8 October 2026.

Text every customer once after the job, with your Google review link, and send one reminder if they don't reply. Ask everyone, not just the ones who seem happy, offer nothing in return, and don't ask while you're still standing in their house. Google bans all three. The texts below are copy and paste.

What should a review request text say?

  • Your business name and a thank you. They should know who it is and why you're texting.
  • One ask. A Google review, with the link in the text so it takes one tap.
  • A reason it matters. "It helps a small firm" is true and easy to say yes to.
  • No wording supplied. Google doesn't allow you to request that specific content be included, so don't tell them what to write or how many stars to give.
  • Straight apostrophes, no emoji, and under 160 characters so it goes as one text.

When should you ask?

Once the job is done and you've left, the same day or the next morning, while they remember it. Google's policy says not to require or pressure customers to leave ratings while they are on your premises, so a text afterwards is better than a request at the door. I haven't found a source that measured the best time to ask, so that part is common sense.

Send one reminder a few days later if they haven't replied. Then leave it.

Review request texts to copy

Swap in your own names and your own Google review link. Every one is counted with the example names and a link of typical length, so keep yours about the same length. Check yours: Google's links vary.

The first ask, for any trade

Hi Hannah, it's Sam at Cole Electrical. Thanks for having me today. A Google review would really help a small firm: g.page/r/CaB12xYz9QwEEAE/review

147 characters, one text.

After a big job

Hi Hannah, it's Ruth at Marsh Roofing. Thanks for letting us do the roof. Could you leave us a Google review? g.page/r/CqT47mNp3KsEEAE/review

141 characters, one text.

After a quick job

Hi Hannah, Sam at Cole Electrical. Thanks for today. A few words in a Google review would help us a lot: g.page/r/CaB12xYz9QwEEAE/review

136 characters, one text.

A repeat customer

Hi Hannah, it's Sam at Cole Electrical. Thanks for using us again. A Google review of how we did would mean a lot: g.page/r/CaB12xYz9QwEEAE/review

146 characters, one text.

The one reminder

Hi Hannah, Sam at Cole Electrical again. In case my last text got buried, a Google review would help: g.page/r/CaB12xYz9QwEEAE/review Thanks either way.

152 characters, one text.

How do you get your Google review link?

Google says you can ask customers to visit a Google link or scan a QR code, and its help page on review links shows how to create one for your business. Use that link in the text, so they land on your review box and not a search page.

What does Google not allow?

Google's Maps content policy says you can't do any of these:

  • Offer anything for a review. Discounts, free goods and services or payment, in exchange for posting a review, changing it or removing a bad one. "Review us and get 10% off" is out.
  • Pick who to ask. Google says you can't "selectively solicit positive reviews", so asking only the customers who seemed pleased, or sending unhappy ones to a private form, breaks the rule. Ask everyone.
  • Discourage bad reviews. Or pressure people to leave one on the spot.

UK law points the same way. Since the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act came in, the CMA's guidance (4 April 2025) treats hiding that a review was incentivised as a banned practice. The simple route is to offer nothing and ask everyone the same way.

What should you do about a bad review?

Reply, calmly and briefly, and take the detail offline. Google's advice is to be professional, keep replies short, personalise them, respond promptly to negative feedback, and not share private information. Two examples. These are public replies, so the 160-character limit doesn't apply.

Thanks Hannah, glad the lights are all sorted. Sam, Cole Electrical.

Sorry it wasn't right, Hannah, and thanks for telling us. I'd like to put it right. Please ring me on 07700 900123. Sam, Cole Electrical.

Is it OK to text a customer asking for a review?

Mostly, but it's nearer the line than a quote chase, because a good review helps your business. Keep it to one text and one reminder, put no offers in it and stop at the first no. If you want to be safe, ask when you take the job whether they're happy to be asked afterwards. That is my reading of the rules, not ICO wording. The detail is in is missed call text back legal in the UK.

Asking every customer, every time

Yes. Ralphio texts every customer for a Google review about 20 minutes after you tap Done on a job, with one reminder if they forget, and it asks everyone, not a chosen few. See how it works. If you'd rather do it yourself, the texts above are yours to use.

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