Guides to getting and managing Google reviews

Plain-English advice for local businesses on getting more Google reviews, staying within Google's rules, and handling the bad ones.

• How to get your Google review link, and turn it into a QR codeThree ways to get the link customers use to leave you a Google review, how to test it, and how to turn it into a QR code, with or without a Business Profile.Read more
• How to ask customers for Google reviews without breaking Google's rulesWhen to ask, what to say, and where to put your review link so more customers actually leave one, plus the mistakes Google's policy rules out.Read more
• NFC vs QR code review cards: how they work, and which one you needHow NFC tap cards and QR codes send customers to your Google reviews, how they differ on phones, where each can fail, and why many businesses use both.Read more
• What is review gating, and is it allowed on Google?Review gating means sending only happy customers to a public review site. Here is what it is, what Google's policy says, why it is risky, and the fair alternative.Read more
• Can you offer discounts or freebies in exchange for Google reviews?Short answer: no. What Google's policy says about incentives, what you can do instead, and what happens to reviews and listings that break the rules.Read more
• How to respond to negative Google reviews, with templates you can useA calm, simple way to reply to a bad Google review, what to avoid, and five ready-to-adapt responses for common complaints.Read more
• Can you remove a negative Google review? What actually worksWhen a bad Google review can be removed, how to report it, how long it takes, how the one-time appeal works, and what to do if it stays up.Read more