A Google review request template is a prewritten message that businesses send to ask customers for honest feedback on their Google Business Profile. It saves you from starting from scratch every time, and it helps you ask in a way that actually gets a response.
Most happy customers never think to leave a review. They are not being unkind; they are simply busy. A short, polite nudge is often all it takes to turn a good experience into public proof that your business delivers.
This guide brings together Google Review Request Templates for email and text message, along with the timing and wording rules that make them work. Whether you run a salon in Leeds or a plumbing firm in Bristol, you will find review request examples UK businesses can copy, adjust, and send today.
Why Asking for Google Reviews Matters
Customers trust reviews the way they used to trust word of mouth from a neighbour. A steady flow of honest feedback builds the kind of online reputation that makes strangers feel comfortable choosing you.
Reviews and Local Search Visibility
Google looks at the number, quality, and freshness of your reviews when deciding who to show first in local search results. A business with regular, genuine reviews tends to appear more often in the local pack, the map listings shown above standard results.
Businesses that want to consistently get more Google Reviews, rather than in occasional bursts, tend to see their local visibility improve the fastest. This makes review generation a genuine local SEO habit, not just a reputation exercise.
What Makes a Good Review Request
A strong request feels personal rather than automated. It goes out at the right moment, includes one clear link, and never pressures the customer into a specific star rating. Keep it short, warm, and easy to act on within thirty seconds.
Rules to Follow Before You Send a Google Review Request
Before you copy any of the templates below, it helps to know what Google actually allows. Getting this wrong can put your listing at risk, so these rules matter more than the wording itself.
Google’s Review Policy in Brief
Google does not allow businesses to offer money, discounts, or freebies as a reward for leaving a review. You also cannot cherry-pick only happy customers to ask, or discourage anyone from posting an honest opinion. In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 goes further still, treating fake or incentivised reviews as a genuine legal issue rather than just a platform rule.
What to Avoid Saying in a Review Request
Avoid asking for “a 5-star review” directly, since Google’s policy bans requests for a specific rating. Skip phrases that offer a reward for posting, and never write the review yourself and ask the customer to copy it. Stick to asking for honest feedback instead.
Best Time to Send a Google Review Request
Timing changes how likely a customer is to respond, and how positive that response tends to be. Ask too early, and the experience has not yet settled in. Ask too late and the moment has passed.
Best Time to Ask by Business Type
Retail and hospitality businesses get the best results when asking within 24 to 48 hours of purchase or a visit. Trades and service businesses should ask right after the job finishes. Healthcare and larger projects benefit from waiting a few days, while SaaS or digital products work best once the customer has had a proper chance to use them.
How Soon Is Too Soon
Never send a review request before the customer has actually experienced your product or service. Asking too early feels rushed and usually produces a short, generic response rather than genuine, useful feedback.
Google Review Request Templates for Email
Email works well for most UK businesses because it feels considered rather than rushed. Each template below follows a simple structure: a short subject line followed by a warm, direct message.
General and First-Time Request Templates
These three cover the everyday situations most businesses face, whether this is your first time asking or simply a routine follow-up after a purchase.
- Simple Thank You Request
Subject: Thanks for choosing [Business Name]
Hi [Customer Name], we’re grateful you picked [Business Name] for this. We would love your honest feedback on Google. [Review Link] Thank you.
- General Local Business Request
Subject: How did we do?
Hi [Customer Name], we hope you had a great experience with [Business Name]. A quick Google review would really help other local customers find us. [Review Link]
- After a Positive Support Interaction
Subject: Glad we could help
Hi [Customer Name], thank you for your kind words earlier. Please share your experience on Google. It would mean a lot to our team. [Review Link]
Feel free to ask for a Google Review whenever a customer already seems happy, since that is the moment they are most willing to help.
Industry-Specific Email Templates
Different trades need slightly different wording. These eight templates cover the most common UK business types.
- Trades and Home Services
Subject: Thanks for having us round
Hi [Customer Name], we hope the work looks good. If everything is as it should be, a quick Google review would really help our small team. [Review Link]
- Hospitality or Hotel
Subject: Thank you for staying with us
Hi [Guest Name], we trust your time at [Business Name] was a pleasant one. We would appreciate your feedback on Google when you have a spare minute. [Review Link]
- Salon or Clinic
Subject: Hope you love the result
Hi [Customer Name], it was lovely having you in today. If you have a moment, a Google review helps other clients find us. [Review Link]
- Retail or eCommerce Post-Delivery
Subject: Your order has arrived
Hi [Customer Name], we hope you are enjoying [Product Name]. A short Google review telling others about it would mean a lot. [Review Link]
- Professional Services
Subject: Thank you for trusting [Business Name]
Hi [Client Name], working alongside you on this was genuinely a pleasure. If you have a moment, we would value your feedback on Google. [Review Link]
- Restaurant or Café
Subject: Thanks for dining with us
Hi [Customer Name], we hope everything on your plate hit the spot. If you did, a quick Google review would mean a lot to us. [Review Link]
- Dentist or Healthcare Practice
Subject: Thank you for visiting [Practice Name]
Hi [Patient Name], thank you for your visit. We would appreciate your feedback on Google. [Review Link]
- Gym or Fitness Studio
Subject: Great to have you training with us
Hi [Member Name], thank you for being part of [Business Name]. A quick Google review helps other members find the studio. [Review Link]
Follow-Up and Reminder Email Templates
If a customer does not respond the first time, one polite follow-up is usually enough to change that.
- First Follow-Up Reminder
Subject: Quick reminder
Hi [Customer Name], just circling back in case this slipped your mind, to leave us a Google review if you still have a spare minute. [Review Link] No worries if not.
- After Issue Resolution
Subject: Thank you for your patience
Hi [Customer Name], we appreciate you giving us the chance to put things right. If you are happy with the outcome, we would appreciate a Google review. [Review Link]
- Loyal or Repeat Customer
Subject: You make our day
Hi [Customer Name], it is always a pleasure serving you. Please share a Google review. Your voice helps new customers find us. [Review Link]
Email Subject Line Examples
Short, clear subject lines outperform long ones. Try “How did we do?”, “Quick favour?”, “Thanks for choosing us”, “Your feedback matters”, “Got a minute?”, or “We would love to hear from you”.
Google Review Request Templates for Text Message (SMS)
Text messages are read within minutes rather than hours, making them ideal for quick, informal requests. Keep every text under roughly 300 characters and always name your business.
Short and Simple SMS Templates
These four work for almost any UK business, whatever the setting.
- General Thank You SMS
Hi [Customer Name], thanks for choosing [Business Name]. If you have 30 seconds, we would love your feedback on Google. [Review Link]
- Post-Appointment SMS
Hi [Customer Name], thanks for your appointment today. A quick Google review would really help us. [Review Link]
- Trades or Callout SMS
Hi [Customer Name], thanks for having us round today. If everything looks good, a quick Google review would help us a lot. [Review Link]
- Retail Purchase SMS
Hi [Customer Name], thanks for your purchase at [Business Name]. We would love your feedback on Google when you get a moment. [Review Link]
SMS Templates for Repeat and Loyal Customers
Returning customers already trust you, which makes them some of your easiest reviewers to reach.
- Loyalty or Repeat Customer SMS
Hi [Customer Name], it’s always good to see you. If you’re willing to leave a quick Google review, it helps new customers find us. [Review Link]
- Referral-Linked SMS
Hi [Customer Name], thanks for finding us through a friend. Would you share your first experience in a quick Google review? [Review Link]
SMS Follow-Up Templates
- Polite Reminder SMS
Hi [Customer Name], just checking in. If you still have a minute, your Google review would mean a lot to us. [Review Link] Thanks either way.
Send a maximum of one reminder. A second nudge tends to feel pushy rather than persistent, and it can put customers off responding at all.
How to Create and Share Your Google Review Link
Every template above depends on one thing: a working link that takes customers straight to your review page. Setting this up only takes a couple of minutes.
Search your business name on Google while signed into your Google Business Profile, then select “Ask for reviews”. This gives you a short, shareable link. Copy it, and create a Direct Google Review Link you can drop into any email or text message.
Where to Share Your Review Link
Drop your review link into your email signature, invoices, and receipts, so it appears without any extra effort on your part. A short line such as “Enjoyed our service? Leave us a Google review” works well almost anywhere.
Using QR Codes to Collect Google Reviews
QR Codes for Google Reviews work particularly well in person, on a till receipt, a table card, or a sign near the counter. Customers can scan and leave feedback in seconds, while the memory of their visit is still fresh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Requesting Reviews
A few small habits can reduce the number of reviews you actually collect. Watch out for these five.
Being too pushy puts customers off, so ask once and follow up only once more. Long, wordy messages get skipped, so keep everything short. A missing or buried link loses responses, so make it the first thing customers see. Poor timing, either too early or too late, produces weaker feedback. Ignoring negative reviews damages trust more than the review itself ever could.
Ready to Simplify Your Review Requests
Picking the right template is the easy part. Staying consistent, sending requests every single time, is where most businesses fall behind without realising it.
SMMWise put this guide together to help UK businesses build a steady, honest flow of Google reviews without the guesswork.
Final Thoughts
Getting more reviews comes down to a few simple habits. Pick the right Google review template for business, send it at the right moment, keep the tone honest, and follow up only once if needed.
None of this needs to feel like a chore. A short, genuine message sent consistently will do more for your online reputation than any single perfectly worded email ever could.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I ask a customer for a Google review?
Send a short, personal message soon after their purchase or visit. Thank them first, then include one clear link to your Google review page.
2. What is the best time to send a review request?
Within 24 to 48 hours for retail and hospitality, right after the job for trades, and a little longer for healthcare or bigger projects.
3. Can I offer a discount for a Google review in the UK?
No. Offering rewards for reviews breaks Google’s policy and is treated as a consumer protection issue under UK law.
4. How many times should I follow up on a review request?
Once is usually enough. A second reminder can feel like pressure rather than a genuine ask.
5. What should I say in a 5-star Google review template without directly asking for 5 stars?
Ask for honest feedback instead. Google does not allow requests for a specific star rating, even indirectly.
6. Is it legal to ask customers for reviews?
Yes, asking is completely legal. What matters is asking every customer fairly and never offering anything in return.
7. How do I find my Google review link?
Search your business on Google while signed into your Business Profile, then select “Ask for reviews” to get your shareable link.
8. Should I use email or SMS to ask for reviews?
Email suits businesses with an existing email relationship, while SMS tends to get read faster. Many UK businesses use both.
9. What is the ideal length for a review request message?
Two to three short sentences are usually enough for email, and under 300 characters for a text message.
10. Can I ask unhappy customers for reviews, too?
Yes. Google requires you to ask customers fairly, without filtering anyone out based on how happy they seem.
11. How do I respond if a customer leaves a negative review after being asked?
Respond calmly and professionally, thank them for the feedback, and offer to resolve the issue directly where possible.
12. What is a good subject line for a review request email?
Short and genuine works best. Try “How did we do?” or “Quick favour?” rather than anything that sounds like marketing.
