Reviews are the first thing many people check before they call a local business. A direct review link takes a customer straight to the review box, so the ask costs them one tap. This tool builds that link from your Place ID and drafts a message you can send. It runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How do I find my Google Place ID?
Google offers a web-based Place ID Finder in its Maps Platform documentation. Search for your business name and address there, select the right pin, and copy the ID shown. It is a long string of letters and numbers. Paste it into the box above.
Place IDs are not permanent. Google says they can change as its map database is updated, that one place can have more than one ID, and that IDs older than 12 months should be refreshed. So open the finished link on your own phone before you print it on anything, and re-check it once a year.
Which review link should I use?
Each format suits a different moment. Pick the one that matches where the customer is when they read it.
| Format | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct write-review link (this tool) | Texts, emails, invoices, thank-you pages | Test it on a phone. An outdated Place ID sends people nowhere useful. |
| Link or QR code from your Business Profile | Printed cards, counters, table tents | Google's own help says you can ask customers to visit a Google link or scan a QR code. See our QR code guide. |
| Search for your business, then "Write a review" | Customers who ask "where do I leave it?" | Extra taps mean fewer reviews. Use a direct link where you can. |
Can I offer a discount for a Google review?
No. Google's review policy says offering free or discounted goods or services in exchange for posting, changing or removing a review is strictly prohibited, and it treats that as fake and misleading content. Reviews must reflect a genuine experience.
The checker in the tool flags words such as "discount", "free", "gift", "in exchange" and "5 star". It also flags wording that only asks happy customers, because filtering who gets the link is review gating. Google's pages we checked do not address gating by name, so treat that flag as our caution, not a quoted rule. Ask every customer the same way.
Can I text a review link in Canada?
Yes, if the message follows CASL. The CRTC says commercial messages sent by text are covered, so you need consent, sender identification and a working unsubscribe. Whether a review request counts as commercial depends on the facts, so our CASL review text templates take the safer route and follow the rules anyway.
| Requirement | What the CRTC says | In your message |
|---|---|---|
| Consent | Implied consent can last two years after a purchase, or six months after an inquiry. | Send only to customers who bought or asked recently, or who agreed to texts. |
| Identification | Say who is sending the message. For texts, a linked web page with the details is acceptable. | Put your business name in the text. |
| Unsubscribe | Honour requests without delay and within 10 business days. The mechanism must work for at least 60 days. | End with "Reply STOP to opt out" and act on it. |
This is general information, not legal advice.
Why is my review link not working?
Three causes cover most cases. The Place ID was copied with a missing character, the business has more than one listing and you picked the wrong one, or the ID is old. Google says a truncated or modified ID returns an error and an obsolete one is not found. Run the Place ID Finder again, rebuild the link here and test it on your phone.
Once the link works, the harder part is timing and follow-up. See how to get more Google reviews in Ottawa and why recent reviews can matter more than total count. You can also estimate what a rating change is worth with the review ROI calculator.
Google Review Link Generator: FAQ
What is a Google review link?
It is a web address that opens the review box for your business directly, so a customer can write a review in one tap. It is built from your Google Place ID.
Is this review link generator free, and does it store my details?
It is free. It runs in your browser, so the Place ID, business name and message you type are not sent to our servers.
Can I give customers a discount for leaving a Google review?
No. Google's review policy says offering free or discounted goods or services in exchange for a review is strictly prohibited.
Do I need consent to text a customer a review link in Canada?
CASL covers commercial text messages, and the CRTC says you need consent, identification and an unsubscribe mechanism. Implied consent can last two years after a purchase or six months after an inquiry. This is general information, not legal advice.
How often should I re-check my Place ID?
Google recommends refreshing Place IDs that are more than 12 months old, because they can change when its map database is updated. Test your link on a phone before printing it.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help: Prohibited and restricted content: review policy, incentives and genuine experience
- Google Business Profile Help: Tips to get more reviews: asking customers to visit a Google link or scan a QR code
- Google Maps Platform: Place IDs: Place ID Finder, ID changes, 12 month refresh advice
- CRTC: Canada's anti-spam legislation FAQ: text messages, consent periods, unsubscribe timing
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