Most owners know they should ask for reviews. What stops them is the wording: it feels awkward in person, pushy by text and easy to ignore by email. Below are nine templates you can copy, three for each channel, written for Canadian businesses and checked against Google's review policy and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).
Swap in your business name and your own Google review link. If you do not have the link yet, Google explains how to create a review link or QR code from your Business Profile, or you can use our Google review link generator.
How do you politely ask for a Google review?
Keep it short, personal and neutral. A polite request does four things: thanks the customer for something specific, says that reviews help other people choose, gives one easy way to do it, and leaves the rating entirely up to them. It does not mention stars, does not suggest what to write, and does not offer anything in return. Google's content policy allows merchants to encourage reviews of genuine experiences, as long as they do not offer incentives or try to influence the rating or the contents.
The word "honest" does a lot of work. "Would you leave us an honest review?" reads as confident and fair. "Would you leave us a 5-star review?" reads as pressure and crosses Google's line on influencing the rating.
What is the best email template to ask for a Google review?
Email suits professional services, home services and anyone who already sends a receipt or summary by email. Put the business name in the subject line, keep the body under 80 words, and include an unsubscribe line in the footer.
Email 1 · after a completed job
Subject: How did we do, [First name]? Hi [First name], Thanks for choosing [Business] for [job or visit]. If you have a minute, would you share an honest review on Google? It helps other people in [city] decide who to call. [Review link] Thank you, [Your name], [Business] [Phone] · [Address] To stop these emails, reply STOP or use this link: [unsubscribe]
Email 2 · professional services
Subject: A quick favour from [Business] Hi [First name], It was a pleasure working with you on [matter or project]. Many of our clients find us through Google, and an honest review of your experience helps them know what to expect. You can leave one here: [Review link] With thanks, [Your name] [Business] · [Phone] Unsubscribe: [link]
Email 3 · one gentle follow-up (send once, about a week later)
Subject: Still happy to hear from you Hi [First name], just a short note in case last week's email got buried. If you would like to share your experience with [Business], the link is here: [Review link]. No need to reply otherwise. Thanks again. [Your name], [Business] · [Phone] Unsubscribe: [link]
What should a Google review request text say?
A text should identify the business in the first words, carry one link, and end with opt-out wording. Send it the same day while the visit is fresh, and only once. For more CASL detail on texting, see our review request text message templates.
Text 1 · appointment businesses
[Business] here. Thanks for coming in today, [First name]. If you have a minute, an honest Google review helps others find us: [Review link] Reply STOP to opt out.
Text 2 · trades and home services
Hi [First name], it's [Name] from [Business]. Thanks for having us out for the [job]. Would you share how it went on Google? [Review link] Reply STOP to opt out.
Text 3 · bilingual, for Ottawa, Gatineau and Quebec customers
[Business] : merci de votre visite! Un avis honnête sur Google nous aiderait beaucoup : [Review link] Thanks for visiting! An honest Google review helps us a lot. STOP pour vous désabonner / Reply STOP to opt out.
How do you ask for a Google review in person?
In person is where most reviews start, because the customer can say yes before they leave. Wait for a natural cue such as a thank-you or a compliment, then ask once and hand over the link or point to the QR code. Google's policy says merchants should not require or pressure people to leave ratings while on the premises, so make it an invitation, not a task at the till.
In person 1 · at the counter or front desk
"Thanks so much, I'm glad it worked out. We're a small business, so reviews on Google really help people find us. If you're up for it, the QR code is right here, or I can text you the link. Totally up to you."
In person 2 · at the end of a job on site
"That's everything done. If you were happy with how it went, would you mind sharing an honest review on Google? I'll send the link by text so you can do it whenever suits you."
In person 3 · end of a phone call
"Glad we could sort that out today. Would it be all right if I texted you a link to leave a Google review? It's optional, and it helps other people who are looking for help with the same thing."
Asking "can I text you the link?" also gives you a clear yes, which is a clean record of consent for that message.
What wording breaks Google's review policy?
Most rejected or removed reviews trace back to the ask, not the reviewer. This table puts Google's rules next to the wording that breaks them and a safe replacement.
| Rule | Avoid saying | Say instead |
|---|---|---|
| No incentives | "Leave a review and get a free coffee" | "An honest review helps other customers find us" |
| No influencing the rating | "Please give us five stars" | "Would you share how it went?" |
| No requested content | "Mention Sarah and our fast service" | Leave the content to the customer |
| No review gating | "If you loved it, review us on Google; if not, email us" | Send every customer the same request |
| No pressure on premises | "Can you post it now before you go?" | "Here's the code if you'd like to, now or later" |
| No staff quotas | "Each server needs ten reviews a week" | Coach staff to ask everyone, no targets |
| Disclose connections | Asking staff or family to post reviews | Only real customers review; staff disclose any connection |
Checked October 2026 against Google's Maps user-generated content policy and Business Profile help pages, and the Competition Bureau's guidance on employee reviews. AGNT/01 plan pricing is published at agntone.ca/#pricing.
Breaking these rules can cost more than the reviews themselves. Google's page on Business Profile restrictions lists stopping new reviews for a set period, unpublishing existing reviews and showing a warning that fake reviews were removed. In Canada, the Competition Bureau has also warned that businesses could be liable when employees post reviews without disclosing their connection.
When is the best time to send a review request?
Ask on the day the customer gets the result, not when the invoice goes out a month later. Restaurants and clinics can ask at checkout. Trades can ask when the job is signed off. Professional services can ask when a file closes or a milestone lands. Here is a simple sending routine that works with any of the templates above.
- Pick one channel per customer type. Use in person for walk-in customers, text for appointments and trades, and email for professional services.
- Ask on the day of the result. Send or say the request the same day the customer gets the finished work, while the experience is fresh.
- Use the same wording for everyone. Send every customer the same neutral template so you never filter for happy customers.
- Follow up once, then stop. If there is no review after about a week, send one short reminder and then leave it.
- Log opt-outs right away. Remove anyone who replies STOP or unsubscribes, well within CASL's 10 business day limit.
If you want the free channels compared side by side, read how to get more Google reviews for free. For the replies once reviews arrive, keep our negative review response templates handy.
Do review request emails and texts need consent under CASL?
Treat them as if they do. CASL covers commercial electronic messages, and a request that promotes your business can fall inside that definition. The good news is that recent customers usually give you implied consent: the Act's definition of an existing business relationship covers a purchase within the two-year period before the message and an inquiry within the six-month period before it. Every message must identify who sent it, give contact information, and include an unsubscribe mechanism, and unsubscribe requests must take effect no later than 10 business days after they are sent.
Penalties are not theoretical: the maximum administrative penalty is $1,000,000 for an individual and $10,000,000 for other persons, such as a corporation. That is why every template above names the business, gives a phone number or address, and ends with an opt-out. For borderline cases, our explainers on CASL express consent and implied consent go deeper. This is general information, not legal advice.
Asking for Google reviews: FAQ
How do you politely ask a customer for a Google review?
Thank them for something specific, explain that an honest review helps other people choose, and give them one easy link or QR code. Leave the rating up to them and do not offer anything in return.
What should I write in an email asking for a Google review?
Use a subject line with their name or your business, two or three short sentences, your Google review link, your contact details, and an unsubscribe line. Ask for an honest review, never for a specific star rating.
What do you text a customer to ask for a review?
Start with your business name, thank them for the visit, ask for an honest Google review, add the link, and end with Reply STOP to opt out. Send it once, the same day.
Can I ask for a 5-star review?
No. Google's policy does not allow merchants to try to influence the rating or the content of a review. Ask for an honest review instead.
Is review gating allowed on Google?
No. Google does not allow merchants to selectively solicit positive reviews or discourage negative ones, so sending only happy customers to Google breaks the policy.
Do I need consent to text customers for reviews in Canada?
Treat the text as covered by CASL. A purchase in the last two years or an inquiry in the last six months usually gives implied consent, and the message must identify you and include a working opt-out.
Can my employees leave Google reviews for our business?
No. Google treats reviews based on a conflict of interest, including current or former employment, as a policy violation, and the Competition Bureau has warned that businesses could be liable for undisclosed employee reviews.
Sources
Last verified October 2026. Google help pages were fetched on October 28, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Reddit threads are cited as evidence of what owners are asking, never as a source of numbers.
- Google Maps User Generated Content Policy Help. Prohibited and restricted content: incentives, rating influence, requested content, selective solicitation, on-premises pressure, staff quotas, conflicts of interest (fetched October 28, 2026)
- Google Business Profile Help. Create a Google link or QR code to request reviews
- Google Business Profile Help. Tips to get more reviews
- Google Business Profile Help. Business Profile restrictions for policy violations
- Competition Bureau Canada. Online reviews posted by employees: businesses could be liable (January 18, 2024)
- Justice Laws Website. Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, sections 6, 10 and 11: two-year and six-month periods; unsubscribe within 10 business days
- Justice Laws Website. Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, section 20: maximum penalties of $1,000,000 and $10,000,000