- Your review link lives in your Business Profile: Read reviews, then Get more reviews, then Copy.
- Google says the review QR code can only be generated in a computer browser, not on a phone.
- Send the link by text or email the same day the job is done; that is when people are most likely to leave a review.
- Google prohibits offering discounts, gifts or payment for reviews, and the FTC bans fake and bought reviews.
What a Google review link is
A Google review link is a short web address that opens your business's review form directly. Instead of telling customers to "search for us on Google and find the reviews button", you send one link and they land on the stars, ready to write. Fewer steps means more reviews.
Reviews matter twice for a local business: they are part of how Google decides which businesses to show in the map results, and they are what customers read before choosing. See what local SEO is for how reviews fit with everything else.
How to get your review link on a computer
These are the steps Google gives in its Business Profile help center. You need to be an owner or manager of the verified profile.
- Go to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account that manages your profile.
- Open your Business Profile.
- Select Read reviews.
- Select Get more reviews (it shows a share icon).
- Select Copy to copy the link. To save the QR code, right-click it and choose Save image as.
How to get it on a phone
On a phone, search for your business name in the Google app or open your profile in Google Maps while signed in as the owner. Look for the option to ask for reviews or share your review form; Google renames these buttons from time to time. You can copy and share the link from there, but Google says the QR code can only be generated in a computer browser.
If the button is missing
The usual reasons are that the profile is not verified yet, you are signed in with a different Google account than the one that manages it, or you are a user without manager access. Verify the profile first, then ask the owner to add you as a manager.
As a backup, you can build a review link from your Place ID. Find your Place ID with Google's Place ID Finder for developers, then use the format search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid= followed by your ID. The link from your profile is simpler and is the one to use when it is available.
Where to share your review link
Google itself suggests receipts, thank-you emails, the end of a chat conversation and a printed QR code in your store. For service businesses that travel to customers, these work best:
| Where | How to use it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Text message after the job | A short thank-you with the link, sent the same day | Plumbers, electricians, cleaners, HVAC |
| Email follow-up | Thank-you email with one clear button | Law firms, dentists, accountants |
| Invoice or receipt | Link or QR code printed at the bottom | Any business that sends invoices |
| Leave-behind card | QR code on a small card left after the visit | Home services, cleaning, pest control |
| Front desk or counter | QR code on a stand at checkout | Dental offices, salons, shops |
| Email signature | A "Review us on Google" link | Every staff member who talks to customers |
A review request text you can copy
Keep it short, personal and specific. Send it within a few hours of finishing the job. For example: "Hi Sarah, thanks for having us fix the water heater today. If you have a minute, a quick Google review really helps a small local business like ours: [your link]. Thanks, Mike at Smith Plumbing."
Ask every customer the same way. Do not filter who gets the link based on whether you think they are happy.
What Google and the FTC allow
Asking for reviews is allowed and encouraged. What gets businesses in trouble is trying to control what the reviews say.
- Allowed: asking every customer for an honest review, sending your link, printing a QR code, replying to reviews.
- Not allowed by Google: offering discounts, free services, gifts or payment in exchange for reviews. Google treats this as fake engagement.
- Not allowed by Google: asking only happy customers in a way that discourages unhappy ones (often called review gating), or posting reviews about your own business.
- Not allowed by the FTC: buying or selling fake reviews, or suppressing negative reviews. The FTC's rule on fake reviews took effect in October 2024.
Reply to every review
Google recommends replying to reviews, and replies are read by future customers. Thank people by name, mention the service and the area naturally ("glad we could get your furnace running again in New Berlin"), and keep it short. For negative reviews, stay calm, acknowledge the problem, and offer to sort it out offline. Never share private customer details in a reply.
Turn the link into a habit
A review link only helps if it gets sent. Make it part of finishing every job: the technician or front desk sends it, or your booking or invoicing software sends it automatically. A steady trickle of reviews each month looks more natural and helps more than a burst followed by silence. For more ways to build a review pipeline, read how to get more Google reviews.
Reviews are one part of a strong profile. Our Google Business Profile optimization checklist covers the rest, and our local SEO services can set up review requests for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my Google review link?
Sign in at business.google.com, open your Business Profile, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and select Copy. That link opens your review form directly. You need to be an owner or manager of a verified profile to see the option.
How do I create a QR code for Google reviews?
Use the same Get more reviews screen in your Business Profile on a computer. Google shows a QR code next to the link; right-click it and choose Save image as. Google says review QR codes can only be generated in a computer browser, not on a phone.
Why can't I see the option to get my review link?
Usually the profile is not verified, or you are signed in with a Google account that is not an owner or manager of the profile. Finish verification, then sign in with the managing account or ask the owner to add you as a manager.
Can I offer a discount for Google reviews?
No. Google prohibits offering incentives such as discounts, free services or gifts in exchange for reviews, and treats it as fake engagement. Violations can lead to removed reviews or restrictions on your profile. Ask every customer for an honest review with nothing attached.
Do Google reviews help SEO?
Yes. Google lists reviews as part of prominence, one of its three local ranking factors, and recommends gathering and replying to them. A steady flow of genuine, recent reviews also improves how many people click, call and ask for directions from your listing.
Does the Google review link change?
The link from your Business Profile normally stays the same, so you can print it on cards and invoices. If you ever create a new profile or your profile is merged or replaced, get the link again from the Get more reviews screen and update your materials.
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