How to Leave a Google Review for a Business
To leave a Google review, find the correct business on Google Maps or Search, select the review option, choose a star rating, and post your feedback. You need to be signed in to a Google account.
This guide starts with the customer steps. Business owners can then learn how to share a review link and ask for feedback appropriately.
What is a Google review?
A Google review is public feedback about a business or place. It includes a star rating and may include written comments or photos.
For example, a customer might describe whether a repair was completed as agreed or whether a shop had the item they needed. Useful feedback helps other people understand the experience.
Check the branch before posting. A review about one shop should not be added to another location of the same brand.
How to leave a review on a computer
Google’s review instructions describe the process in Maps:
- Sign in to Google Maps.
- Search for the business name and location.
- Open the correct listing.
- Find Write a review.
- Choose a star rating and add comments or photos if you want.
- Select Post.
You can also reach a business’s review section through Google Search. The layout and labels may differ, so open the correct listing before looking for the review option.
How to leave a review on a phone
Open the Google Maps app and find the business. Open its listing, look for Reviews or the rating stars, and choose the option to write a review.
Select a rating, write about your experience, and post when ready. Sign in if prompted. Review options can look different across devices and app versions.
For example, a customer reviewing a café inside a shopping centre should check the unit or branch details before selecting the stars.
What should you write?
Describe your own experience in clear, specific terms. You do not need to make the review long.
You might explain what service you used, whether the product was available, or what would have improved the visit. Keep private details about customers and staff out of your text and photos.
An illustrative review might say: “I brought my bike in for a puncture repair. The team explained the price before starting and had it ready that afternoon.” Only write that if it reflects what actually happened to you.
Do you need a Gmail address?
You need a Google account, but you can create one using an email address you already have. Google confirms that a non-Gmail address can be used for an account that leaves reviews.
Reviews are public, and anonymous posting is not available. Check your public profile information before contributing.
How do you edit or delete your review?
Open Google Maps while signed in to the account that posted it. Find your contributions or profile reviews, open the menu beside the review, and choose Edit review or Delete review.
On a computer, Google’s instructions use Your contributions → Reviews. On a phone, look in your profile or contribution area; labels can vary.
If the business resolves a problem, you can update your review to describe the final experience. That decision belongs to you.
For owners: how do you get a direct review link?
A direct review link helps customers reach the correct business’s review form. It avoids asking them to search for a branch with a similar name.
Use a computer browser if you want Google’s downloadable review QR code; that option is not currently available on mobile.
Follow Google’s review link and QR code instructions:
- Open the correct Business Profile while signed in as an owner or manager.
- Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews, when shown.
- Copy the review link or use the available QR code option.
- Test it on a phone before sharing or printing it.
For several branches, create and label a separate link for each one. Check that the form shows the branch where the customer was served.
A Maps directions link and a review link do different jobs. Use the review link when asking for feedback. Use our Google Maps QR code generator when you need a code for a Maps destination, and check the destination it opens.
How should you ask customers for reviews?
Use a neutral request that invites genuine feedback. For example: “Would you like to share your experience on Google? Here is the link for this branch.”
You could include it in an appropriate follow-up message or display the QR code near the checkout. Give customers the choice to respond in their own time.
Google’s review policies prohibit incentives and selectively requesting positive reviews. Do not offer rewards or route only happy customers to Google while diverting unhappy customers elsewhere.
Use the same fair process for real customers. Do not write their reviews, prescribe keywords, or require a particular star rating.
How should you reply to reviews?
A helpful reply is short, relevant, and professional. Thank the customer and address what they raised without sharing private information.
For a positive review, an illustrative reply might be: “Thank you, Maya. We’re glad the collection was straightforward.”
For a complaint: “Thank you for telling us about the wait. We’d like to look into it. Please contact our store manager using the contact details on our website.” Adapt the reply to what actually happened.
If you believe a review breaks a policy, you can report it. You cannot delete someone else’s review yourself. Follow our review removal guide for that process.
What should you do first?
As a customer, check the correct business and describe your own experience. As an owner, test one branch’s review link and choose a simple, neutral way to share it.
For the wider relationship between your profile, website, and local visibility, read the Google Maps SEO guide.