How to get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)

Most happy customers never think to leave a review. They aren't against it; nobody asked, or it felt like a hassle. Getting more Google reviews mostly comes down to asking every customer, at the right moment, in a way that takes seconds. This guide covers what works, and the rules you have to follow so the reviews you earn stay up.

First, the rules

Google's Maps user-contributed content policy treats these as fake engagement, and can remove reviews or restrict your Business Profile for them:

• Incentives. Offering payment, discounts, free goods or services in exchange for a review, or for changing or removing a negative one. “10% off when you leave a review” isn't allowed, even if you'd accept a 1-star review.
• Review gating. Discouraging negative reviews, or selectively asking only the customers you expect to be positive.
• Reviews that aren't genuine. Reviews from the owner, employees or anyone with a conflict of interest, and reviews bought from third parties.

In the US, the FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (in effect since October 2024) also bans incentives conditioned on a positive or negative review and suppressing negative reviews. If you're outside the US, check your local consumer rules too.

A simple system that works

1. Get your review link. In Google Business Profile, open Read reviews → Get more reviews and copy the link.
2. Turn it into a QR code. In QR Crab, create a Google review code with that link and your business name. It asks every customer for stars, then offers your Google page. See How to make a Google review QR code.
3. Put it where the visit ends. By the register, on the check presenter, on receipts or on the table: the places people are when they've just finished.
4. Brief your team. Agree on one short, friendly sentence everyone uses, and ask every customer, not just the ones who seem happy.
5. Read and reply. Reply to Google reviews from your Business Profile, and read the private messages in the code's Responses tab to fix what went wrong.

Ask at the right moment

The best time to ask is right after the good part: when the customer pays, picks up their order, finishes a service or says thank you. They remember the visit, and their phone is often already in their hand. Asking days later by email works too, but fewer people follow through.

Where to put your review QR code

• At the register or front desk, at eye level, with a “Leave us a review” frame.
• In the check presenter or on the bill in a restaurant.
• On receipts and invoices, printed or digital.
• On table tents, next to your menu and Wi-Fi codes.
• On takeout bags, boxes and packaging, so people can review once they've tried the product.
• In thank-you and follow-up emails, as a link.

Print it big enough to scan from arm's length, and keep the frame text short and clear. Put the same invitation everywhere every customer passes, not somewhere only regulars see it.

What your team can say

Keep it short, sincere and the same for everyone. Some examples:

• “Thanks for coming in! If you have a minute, the code by the register goes to our Google reviews. It really helps a small business like ours.”
• “Before you go: we're always trying to get better. Scanning this code lets you rate your visit, good or bad.”
• “Your receipt has a QR code for reviews, if you'd like to tell people about us.”

Avoid “Please leave us 5 stars” or only asking customers who are smiling. Ask everyone, and let them decide what to say.

Listen to unhappy customers too

QR Crab's Google review code asks for stars first. Customers who pick 1–3 stars can send you a private message, with an email if they'd like a reply, and they still see a “Leave a Google review” link. Use those messages: reply quickly, fix the problem, and thank people for telling you. You'll see them in the code's Responses tab, along with your average rating and how many customers tapped through to Google.

When a bad review does appear on Google, reply calmly and publicly from your Business Profile. A thoughtful answer reassures future customers more than a perfect score.

Coupons are fine, just not for reviews

A coupon that brings people back is a great idea on its own (see How to make a coupon QR code (with one-time codes)). Keep it separate from the review request: don't print “review us and get a discount”, and don't ask people to show a review to claim an offer.

Track what works

A trackable review code shows scans in its Stats tab and ratings in Responses. If you want to compare places, make one code for the counter and another for receipts, and see which one people use more. Each one counts toward your plan's trackable codes.

QR Crab has landing pages with more ideas for reviews and repeat customers.

Common questions

Can I offer a discount or freebie for a review?

No. Google's policy lists offering incentives, “such as payment, discounts, free goods and/or services”, in exchange for a review as prohibited fake engagement, and this applies even if you'd accept a negative review. Google can remove the reviews and restrict your profile. Run offers for their own sake, never as payment for a review.

Can I ask only the customers who seemed happy?

No. Selectively asking happy customers is review gating, which Google forbids. Ask everyone the same way. A QR code at the counter or on every receipt makes this natural, because every customer sees the same invitation.

Can I ask a customer to change or remove a negative review?

You can reply publicly, apologize and offer to fix the problem, and the customer may choose to update their review. Offering something in return for changing or removing it is against Google's rules.

Can my staff, friends or family leave reviews?

Reviews must reflect a genuine customer experience. Google's policy also bars reviews written by owners or employees about their own business, and conflicts of interest in general, so don't ask your team to review you.

Does QR Crab's review page follow these rules?

It's designed to. Every customer who picks a star rating is offered your Google link: a big button for 4–5 stars, and a “Leave a Google review” link under the private message form for 1–3 stars. QR Crab never asks anyone to change a review and has no reward feature tied to reviews.