Templates

Review request templates: SMS, email and in-person wording

Most happy customers will leave a review if you ask at the right moment and make it easy. Copy these templates, add your own review link, and adjust the tone to suit your business.

Updated October 2026 · 8 minute read

The short version

Keep your request short and personal, send it soon after the visit, and include a direct link to your Google review form. Ask every customer, not just the ones you think were happy, and never offer a reward. If you send requests by SMS or email, follow the Spam Act: have permission, say who you are and include an easy way to opt out.

Every template below needs a link that opens your Google review form directly, so customers don’t have to search for you. To find it:

  1. Open your Business Profile on Google (search for your business name while signed in, or go to Google Maps).
  2. Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews. On some screens it’s called Ask for reviews.
  3. Copy the short link, or download the QR code for printed material.

Test the link on your own phone before you send it to anyone. Wherever you see [review link] in a template, paste your link in its place.

The rules to follow

Asking for reviews is completely fine. Google encourages it. But how you ask matters, both for Google’s policies and for Australian law.

  • Ask every customer. Only asking the ones you expect to be happy is called review gating. Google prohibits it, and the ACCC has taken businesses to court for filtering out likely critics.
  • Ask for honest feedback, not five stars. “Tell us how we went” is fine. “Please leave us a 5-star review” is not.
  • Never offer a reward. Google’s policies don’t allow discounts, freebies or prize draws in exchange for reviews, even if you’d give them for a negative review too.
  • Make sure the message clearly comes from your business, using your business name.

SMS and email: the Spam Act

A review request that promotes your business can count as a commercial electronic message under the Spam Act 2003. Whether a particular message is covered depends on its content, so the safest approach is to treat review requests as if they are. That means three things:

  • Consent. The ACMA says express consent is best practice, and that inferred consent doesn’t cover messaging someone just because they bought something from you. You also can’t send a text or email to ask for consent. Instead, ask when you collect their details, for example at booking or checkout, and keep a record of when and how they agreed.
  • Identify yourself with your business name and correct contact details.
  • Include a working opt-out, such as “Reply STOP to opt out”, and action requests within five working days.

A simple line on your booking form or at the counter covers the first point: “We’ll send you a quick message after your visit to ask how it went. You can opt out at any time.”

Health practitioners

If you’re registered with Ahpra, the National Law restricts testimonials about clinical care in your advertising. Keep requests neutral, such as “tell us about your visit”, and don’t ask patients to comment on their treatment or results. Check Ahpra’s testimonial guidance, or ask your professional association or insurer, if you’re unsure.

SMS templates

SMS gets read quickly, so keep it short. Each of these fits in one or two standard messages once you add your link. Replace everything in [square brackets].

Simple thank you SMS

Hi [First name], thanks for visiting [Business name] today. Would you mind sharing your experience on Google? It only takes a minute: [review link] Reply STOP to opt out

Personal, from a team member SMS

Hi [First name], it’s [Staff name] from [Business name]. Thanks for coming in! We’d really value your honest feedback on Google: [review link] Reply STOP to opt out

After an appointment SMS

Hi [First name], thanks for your appointment at [Business name] today. How was your visit? You can leave a quick Google review here: [review link] Reply STOP to opt out

Suits salons, clinics, gyms and other appointment-based businesses.

After a finished job SMS

Hi [First name], thanks for choosing [Business name] for your [job type]. How did we go? A quick Google review helps other locals find a tradie they can trust: [review link] Reply STOP to opt out

Send it once the job is signed off, not while work is still under way.

Cafés and restaurants SMS

Thanks for dining with us at [Business name], [First name]! We’d love to hear how we went: [review link] Reply STOP to opt out

Email templates

Email gives you room for a slightly warmer message. Keep the review link as a clear button or a link on its own line, and include your business details and an unsubscribe link in the footer.

Standard request Email

Subject: How was your visit to [Business name]?

Hi [First name],

Thanks for choosing [Business name]. We hope everything went well.

Would you take a minute to share your experience on Google? Your honest feedback helps us improve, and it helps other people in [Suburb] find us.

Leave a review: [review link]

If anything wasn’t right, just reply to this email. We’d like the chance to fix it.

Thanks again,
[Your name], [Business name]

Personal note from the owner Email

Subject: A quick favour from [Owner name] at [Business name]

Hi [First name],

I’m [Owner name], and I run [Business name]. As a small local business, we rely on word of mouth, and these days a lot of that happens on Google.

If you have a minute, I’d really appreciate an honest review of your recent visit: [review link]

And if there’s anything we could have done better, I’d love to hear it directly. Just hit reply.

Many thanks,
[Owner name]

After a project or job Email

Subject: Thanks for choosing [Business name] for your [job type]

Hi [First name],

Thanks again for having us work on your [job type] at [Suburb]. It was great working with you.

We’d be grateful if you could share your experience on Google. It takes about a minute, and it helps other people decide who to trust with their home: [review link]

If you have any questions about the work, call me on [phone].

Cheers,
[Your name], [Business name]

Reminder templates

Plenty of people mean to leave a review and simply forget. One friendly reminder, two or three days later, is enough. Don’t send more than one, and don’t send it to anyone who has already left a review or opted out.

Gentle reminder SMS

Hi [First name], just a quick reminder from [Business name]. If you have a minute, we’d love your feedback on Google: [review link] No worries if not. Reply STOP to opt out

Gentle reminder Email

Subject: Still keen to hear from you, [First name]

Hi [First name],

We sent a note a few days ago asking about your visit to [Business name]. If you haven’t had a chance yet, here’s the link again: [review link]

It only takes a minute, and we read every review. Thanks so much.

[Your name], [Business name]

In-person and QR code wording

Asking face to face, at the end of a good conversation, often works best of all. Keep it relaxed and give people an easy way to follow through.

At the counter or end of an appointment Script

Thanks so much for coming in today. If you’ve got a minute later, we’d really appreciate an honest Google review. There’s a QR code right here, or I can text you the link if that’s easier.

When finishing a job on site Script

That’s all done. Before I go, would you be happy for me to text you a link to leave us a Google review? Honest feedback really helps a small business like ours.

If they say yes, you have their consent to send the text. Note it in your job records.

Counter card, table tent or receipt Print

How did we go? Scan to leave us a Google review. Your honest feedback helps other locals find us.

Tips to get more replies

  • Timing matters most. Within a few hours works well for cafés and shops. For appointments, the same day is ideal. For trades, wait until the job is finished and signed off.
  • Use their first name, and yours. A message from a real person gets more replies than one from “the team”.
  • Make it one tap. Use the direct review link, and check it opens the review form on a phone.
  • Send at sensible hours. Avoid early mornings and late nights.
  • Reply to every review that comes in. Customers notice, and it encourages others to leave one. Our guide on responding to negative reviews has example replies.
  • Try two versions. Use one template for a month, then another, and see which gets more reviews.

Let GetReview send them for you

GetReview turns these templates into review requests that go out on time, so you never forget to ask.

  • Email requests and reminders, your review link, a QR code and a kiosk mode on every plan
  • SMS requests, and automatic sending after every visit, on Growth and Pro
  • A private feedback option that sits alongside, never instead of, the public review option
Start my 7-day free trial See how review collection works

Common questions

Is it okay to ask customers for Google reviews?

Yes. Google encourages businesses to ask for reviews and provides a link and QR code for it. Just ask every customer, ask for honest feedback rather than a high rating, and don’t offer anything in return.

Can I ask for a five-star review?

No. Asking only for positive reviews can mislead future customers, and selectively asking for positive reviews breaches Google’s policies. Ask for honest feedback instead.

Do I need permission to text customers asking for a review?

It’s safest to assume so. Under the Spam Act, commercial messages need consent, must identify the sender and must include an opt-out. The ACMA says a one-off purchase doesn’t give you inferred consent, so ask customers when you collect their details and keep a record.

How many reminders should I send?

One, two or three days after the first request. More than that starts to feel like pressure, and it can lead to complaints or opt-outs.

Can I run a prize draw for everyone who leaves a review?

Not for Google reviews. Google’s policies don’t allow incentives for reviews, including prize entries, discounts and free gifts, even if you offer them for negative reviews too.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you’re unsure whether your messages comply with the Spam Act or other rules, check with the ACMA or a lawyer.

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