How to create a Google review link for your business

A Google review link is a short web address that opens the review box for your business directly. When a customer taps it, they land on the star rating and the text box, so they don't have to search for your business or scroll through your listing to find where to leave a review. Every business with a Google Business Profile can get one for free, and it takes about two minutes.

How to get your Google review link

You need to be signed in to the Google account that owns or manages your Business Profile. Then:

1. Go to your Business Profile. You can search for your business name on Google while you're signed in, or go to business.google.com.
2. Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews.
3. Select Copy to copy the review link.

That's the link to save and share. Paste it into a note on your phone or into your text templates so it's ready after every job.

How to get the QR code

The same Get more reviews window shows a QR code. To save it, right click the QR code and select Save image as. Google says review QR codes can only be created from a computer browser for now, not from a phone.

A QR code is useful on anything printed: an invoice, a leave behind card, or a sign at the counter if customers come to your shop. Test it with your own phone camera before you print a batch.

Where to send the link

The best time to ask is right after the job, while the customer is looking at the finished work. Google suggests adding the link to receipts, thank you emails and the end of chat conversations. For a home service business, the options that work best are usually:

• A text message sent before you leave the driveway
• The follow up email or invoice for the job
• Your email signature
• A printed card or invoice with the QR code

A text works better than an email for most trades, because the customer reads it right away and can leave the review in under a minute. We wrote more about timing and wording in how to get more Google reviews.

The rules Google enforces

Asking customers for reviews is allowed. A few things are not:

• Offering something in return. Google treats discounts, gifts or free services in exchange for a review as fake engagement, and it can remove the reviews.
• Asking only happy customers. Google's policies say not to discourage negative reviews or to ask for reviews only from customers you expect to leave good ones. Send the link to every customer after every job.
• Writing reviews for yourself or asking employees or family to post them.

Breaking these rules can get reviews removed, and in some cases it can lead to restrictions on your profile. Asking every customer the same way keeps you on the safe side.

If the link doesn't show up

If you don't see Get more reviews, check that you're signed in with the account that manages the profile and that the profile is verified. Our guide to Google Business Profile verification walks through the steps, and if someone else set up your profile, adding a manager explains how to get access.

Sending it automatically

The review link only helps if it actually gets sent, and on a busy day it's easy to forget. On our Ranked and Booked plans, the CRM sends it for you: a few hours after a job is marked completed, the customer gets a thank you with the review link. You can read how that works in what each CRM automation does and on our reviews service page.