How to ask for Google reviews without annoying customers

Ask every customer, at the right moment, with a direct link to Google and without offering anything in return. Google prohibits incentives and prohibits asking only those who are satisfied.

What Google does not allow

• Offering discounts, gifts or prize draws in exchange for a review.
• Choosing whom to ask, sending the request only to those expected to give a good rating.
• Pressuring or demanding a review at the counter.
• Setting review targets for staff, or asking customers to mention an employee's name. According to industry sources, these practices were reinforced in the 2026 rules.

How to ask the right way

1. At the right moment: right after the service or stay, when the experience is fresh.
2. With a simple path: a direct link sent by WhatsApp, a QR code or an NFC plaque at the counter.
3. With a short, neutral message, like the example below.
4. To all customers, without selection.
5. Voluntarily, without insisting.
6. And reply to every review, as we explain in another article.

Example message

Hello, Ana. Thank you for your visit. If you would like to share your experience, you can do so here: [link]. Your opinion helps us improve.

What if the customer was unhappy?

You can offer a private channel to solve the problem, but without hiding the option to review publicly and without asking them to delete or change the review.

Automating without breaking the rules

An automatic request by WhatsApp is valid if it goes to every customer and the message is neutral. Send it only to people who agreed to receive messages from the business and respect data protection rules.

When to ask

• Clinic: at the end of the appointment or the next day.
• Holiday rental: at check-out or the next day.
• Shop or service: right after the purchase or delivery.

Where to put the link

On an NFC plaque or QR code at the counter, in a WhatsApp message and in the thank-you email. Ask once and, if you wish, send a single reminder. More than that is annoying.

Free guide: download the Google profile checklist (PDF) and see how many points your business scores.