How to ask for a Google review by text
A short text right after the job is the easiest way to get reviews, and plenty of happy customers will leave one if you ask while it’s fresh. Here are texts you can send as they are, when to send them, and the two rules that get reviews removed: offering something in return, and asking only the happy customers.
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Texts you can send
Change the business name and the detail to your own, and paste your Google review link where it says [your link].
Same day, after the job
“Mike’s Plumbing: Thanks for having us out today. If you have a minute, a Google review helps a small local business a lot: [your link] Reply STOP to opt out.”
Next morning
“Mike’s Plumbing: Hope the water heater is working well this morning. Would you share how it went on Google? [your link] Reply STOP to opt out.”
Short
“Mike’s Plumbing: Thanks again! Your honest review on Google would mean a lot: [your link] Reply STOP to opt out.”
What every request has: your business name first, a thank-you, a plain ask for an honest review, the link, and a way to opt out. What it never has: a discount, a rating you’d like, or a question that sorts happy customers from unhappy ones.
When to send it
- Right after the job, while you’re still fresh in their mind. The same afternoon works best.
- If the job ended late, the next morning. Don’t text at night.
- Once. If you send a reminder, make it the only one.
- To every customer you did the work for, not just the ones who seemed pleased.
Google’s rules and the FTC’s rules are not the same
Most advice mixes them up. Google’s review policy decides what can stay on Google. The FTC’s Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (in force since October 21, 2024) is federal law. For reviews on Google, you have to follow both, which in practice means following Google’s stricter version.
| Practice | Google’s policy | FTC rule |
|---|---|---|
| Offering anything for a review (discount, gift card, entry in a drawing) | Not allowed. Google prohibits offering incentives for posting any review. | Not banned by the rule if the reward doesn’t depend on what the review says. Google’s ban still applies on Google. |
| Asking only the customers you think were happy ("review gating") | Not allowed. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews. | The rule doesn’t specifically prohibit it, but the FTC says it could violate the FTC Act. |
| Asking for a specific rating ("please give us 5 stars") | Don’t. Google allows asking for genuine reviews, not for a sentiment. | Rewards conditioned on a positive review are prohibited. |
| Threatening or pressuring someone over a bad review | Not allowed. | Prohibited as review suppression (16 CFR 465.7). |
Find your review link
Your link comes from your Google Business Profile. Search for your business on Google while signed in to the account that manages it and choose Ask for reviews, or open your profile in Google Maps and look for the option to get more reviews. Copy the link it gives you and use the same one every time.
In LeadHunter USA’s missed-call text back, you mark a job done and send your review link in one tap, or pick several customers at once. Everyone you pick gets the same request: no incentive, no rating filter, STOP handled for you, and anything sent late is held until morning.
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Questions
Common questions
How do I ask a customer for a Google review by text?
Send one short text the same day or the next morning: your business name, a thank-you, a plain request for an honest review, your Google review link, and "Reply STOP to opt out." Don’t offer anything in return and don’t ask for a specific rating.
Where do I get my Google review link?
From your Google Business Profile. Search for your business on Google while signed in and choose "Ask for reviews", or in Google Maps open your profile and find the option to get more reviews. Copy the link it gives you.
Can I give a discount for a Google review?
Not for Google reviews. Google prohibits offering incentives such as payment, discounts or free goods or services in exchange for a review. The FTC’s rule allows a reward that doesn’t depend on the review being positive, but Google’s policy is stricter and applies to reviews on Google.
Can I only ask the customers who were happy?
No. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews, which is what a "were you happy?" filter does. The FTC says its rule doesn’t specifically ban that practice but that it could violate the FTC Act. Ask every customer you did the work for, the same way.
When is the best time to ask for a review?
Right after the job, while it is fresh: the same afternoon, or the next morning if the job ended late. Send it once. A second reminder is about the limit before it becomes a nuisance.
Do I need permission to text a review request?
Only text customers you actually did work for and who gave you their number for that job. Keep it to one request, include "Reply STOP to opt out", and stop immediately if they ask. Don’t text numbers you bought or found elsewhere.