The best time to ask is right after a great visit
The single biggest lever for getting more reviews isn't a clever script — it's asking at the right moment. Right after a client expresses happiness with their result (in person or in a follow-up text) is consistently the highest-converting time to ask.
"Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It really helps other people in the area find us." — short, honest, and low-pressure outperforms long scripted asks almost every time.
Make it easy, not just polite
Send a direct link to your Google review page rather than asking clients to search for you. Most booking and POS software (see our software directory) can automate this as a follow-up text or email after an appointment.
Use our review request templates
We've put together ready-to-use review request scripts for texts, emails, and in-person asks — use them as a starting point and adjust the tone to match your brand.
Responding to positive reviews
A short, specific, genuine reply ("So glad you loved your color, Jasmine — see you in 6 weeks!") is worth more than a generic "Thanks for the review!" It shows real engagement to anyone reading later.
Responding to negative reviews
Stay calm, acknowledge the concern, and take specifics offline ("We'd love to make this right — please call us at [number]"). Never argue publicly, even if you believe the review is unfair.
Never offer to pay for reviews, incentivize only positive ones, or ask staff to post reviews of their own workplace. This violates Google's policies and can get your entire profile's reviews removed.
Handling reviews that seem fake
If a review appears to violate Google's policies (e.g., clearly not a real customer, spam, or a competitor), you can flag it for Google's review — but this process isn't instant, and not every flag results in removal. See our reputation management guidance for handling this calmly while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
How many reviews do I need before it "matters"? There's no fixed threshold — more recent, responded-to reviews generally build more trust than a large number of very old ones. Consistency over time matters more than a single push to hit a number.
Can I offer a discount in exchange for a review? No — this violates most platforms' policies, including Google's. Ask for honest feedback without conditioning it on a reward.
