How to Increase Google Reviews the Right Way (Without Gimmicks)

In today’s digital world, your Google reviews can make or break your business—especially when customers find you through Google Maps.

If you’ve ever searched for a service, you’ll notice Google Maps listings now appear above most websites. That means reviews aren’t just “nice to have” anymore—they’re essential for visibility and trust.

So how do you genuinely increase Google reviews without using shady tactics or fake incentives?

How to Get More Google Reviews Ethically

Let’s walk you through the proper way—step by step.

Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever

• Visibility on Google Maps: Google prioritises businesses with high ratings and regular reviews in local search results.

• Builds Credibility: 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

• Boosts Click-Through Rate (CTR): More stars = more clicks to your site.

• Influences Buying Decisions: A well-written review can address concerns better than your sales pitch.

Warning: Don’t Use Incentives or Fake Reviews

Offering discounts, freebies, or rewards in exchange for reviews might sound harmless—but it’s against Google’s policies and can backfire badly.

Real case:

A popular food spot was flooded with 5-star reviews due to “Free Drink for a Review” promos. But once customers arrived, they realised the food was subpar. Multiple complaints followed, and eventually, Google removed the business listing entirely.

⚠️ Avoid:

• “Free gift for a review”

• Review swaps

• Buying reviews on Fiverr

• Fake accounts or bots

Step-by-Step: How to Increase Google Reviews Ethically

1. Ask Right After Service Ends

Timing is everything. The best moment to ask for a review is immediately after a positive experience.

For example:

• After delivering a website project

• After a meal is finished at a restaurant

• After a consultation or home service

You can say:

“If you’re happy with our service, we’d really appreciate a Google review. It helps more people find us and know what to expect.”

2. Send a Direct Google Review Link

Make it easy. Most people won’t search for your business and click “Write a Review” unless you simplify the process.

Send them a direct link to your Google review form.

💡 If you don’t know how to get that link, check out our previous blog on how to get your Google review link.

3. Follow Up Politely

If they don’t leave a review immediately, follow up after 1–2 days. This not only shows professionalism but also gives you a second chance to collect feedback.

Example follow-up:

“Hey [Name], just checking in—hope everything went well with [the service]. If you’ve got a moment, would love to hear your thoughts here: [Google Review Link]”

4. Use Guiding Questions (for Better Quality Reviews)

Customers often don’t know what to say in reviews. Give them prompts to make writing easier:

For service businesses:

• What service did you engage us for?

• Were you happy with the outcome?

• What stood out during the process?

• Would you recommend us to others?

For restaurants:

• What did you eat?

• How was the service?

• What did you enjoy the most?

• Would you come back again?

Include these as suggestions when sending the review request.

Email Sample: Request for Google Review

Subject Line:

We’d love your feedback on your recent experience

Email Body:

Hi [Customer’s First Name],

Thanks again for choosing [Your Company Name] for your recent [service/product].

We hope everything went well and that you’re happy with the result!

If you’ve got a minute, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It helps others know what to expect, and we really appreciate your support.

👉 [Insert Your Google Review Link Here]

To help make it easier, here are some guiding questions:

• What did you engage us for?

• Were you satisfied with the experience?

• What stood out to you about our service?

• Would you recommend us to others?

If anything didn’t go right, please reply directly—we’d love the chance to make things better.

Thanks in advance,

[Your Name]

[Company Name]

[Contact Info]

WhatsApp Sample: Request for Google Review

Hi [Name], thank you again for engaging us for [short service name, e.g. your website revamp]!

We’d love to hear your feedback. If you’re happy with everything, could you help us out by leaving a quick Google review?

👉 [Google Review Link]

Here are some questions that might help:

• What service did you engage us for?

• What did you like about it?

• Would you recommend us to others?

If anything wasn’t ideal, just reply here — we’d love to make it right.

Appreciate your time!

— [Your Name / Company Name]

5. Treat Reviews as Feedback Loops

Sometimes, you’ll ask for a review and the customer will say they weren’t happy. That’s gold.

It gives you a chance to fix the issue before they write something negative online.

Use it as a chance to:

• Apologise

• Rectify the mistake

• Turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one

Summary: Do It Right, Build Long-Term Trust

Getting Google reviews isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about building a genuine feedback loop that earns trust—and wins you more customers.

DO:

• Ask at the right time

• Make it easy to leave a review

• Use guiding questions

• Accept feedback professionally

DON’T:

• Offer freebies for reviews

• Fake reviews

• Copy-paste responses

Want to start collecting reviews but don’t know where to get your Google review link? Check out this guide here →