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Short answer · reviews

How do I get more Google reviews, honestly?

Short answer

Ask every customer, at the moment they are happiest, with a direct link and one line suggesting they mention the job and the town. Make it easy, make it a habit, and never pay, swap favours or write reviews yourself: that breaks Google’s rules and UK consumer law.

By Word of Chat · Published 27 October 2026

Illustration · fictional person

Step by step

  1. Get your review link

    In your Google Business Profile, use the "Ask for reviews" or "Share review form" option to copy a short link that opens the review box directly.

  2. Ask at the right moment

    The best time is just after the job is finished and the customer is pleased: when you hand back the keys, send the invoice or get a thank-you message.

  3. Ask everyone, not just your favourites

    Google does not allow businesses to ask only customers they expect to be happy. Asking everyone is fair and, in practice, it is also simpler.

  4. Suggest what to mention

    A gentle line such as "It really helps if you mention what we did and where" leads to specific reviews. Do not tell people what to say or what star rating to give.

  5. Reply to every review

    Thank people briefly and, for criticism, reply calmly with what you did about it. Replies show customers, and anyone reading, that a real person runs the business.

What never to do

Since April 2025, UK consumer law (the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024) explicitly bans fake reviews, and Google removes reviews and can restrict profiles that break its policies.

  • Write reviews yourself, or ask friends and family to pose as customers.
  • Offer discounts, gifts or prize draws in return for reviews.
  • Buy reviews from anyone, however they describe the service.
  • Hide or discourage negative feedback by only sending the link to happy customers.

The honest limits

More reviews will not guarantee that any AI assistant recommends you; they are one of several things assistants and customers look at. We never write, buy or filter reviews for clients.

Want to know where you stand?

Our free check asks ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini the kind of questions your customers ask and emails you, in plain English, whether you were named and who was named instead. If you want more, every service has a fixed price.

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Questions

How many reviews do I need?

There is no magic number, and we will not invent one. Steady, recent, specific reviews from real customers are worth more than a sudden burst.

Should I reply to bad reviews?

Yes, briefly, politely and without sharing customer details. A calm reply often reassures future customers more than the review worries them.

Do reviews on other sites matter?

They can. Customers and AI assistants may read reviews on trade directories and social pages too. Ask customers to use whichever site suits them, but do not spread yourself so thin that none has recent reviews.