Google Review Text Message Templates You Can Copy
A good review request text is short, comes from a named person, mentions the specific job or visit, has one direct link, and offers nothing in return. Send it within hours of the visit, send one gentle reminder at most, and add an opt-out line. Below are copy-ready texts for restaurants, home services, salons, clinics, shops and repeat customers, plus follow-ups and the mistakes that get texts ignored.
A text is the best way to ask for a review for most local businesses. It arrives on the phone where the review will be written, it can carry the link, and it is read within minutes. Wording matters, because customers decide in two seconds whether a message is from a person or a machine. If you want more on in-person scripts and timing, see how to ask customers for a Google review. This page is about the text itself.
Before you send: four things to have in place
- A working link. Open it on your own phone, in a private tab, signed out of your business account. It should open the review box for your business. If it lands on a search page or says not found, fix it first with this guide to your Google review link, or get yours free from your business name.
- Permission to text. Message people who gave you their number as a customer: for a booking, a quote, an order or a service. Do not text numbers bought or scraped from lists. If you send many texts through software, the customer may need to have agreed to receive messages, so ask for their consent when you take the booking, with a line such as "May we text you a receipt and a link to share feedback?"
- An opt-out line. Add "Reply STOP to opt out" when the text goes through a marketing platform or a number used for bulk sends. For a one-to-one text from your own phone, a friendly "no worries if not" is enough, and anyone who says stop must never get another.
- A saved snippet. Store the text in your phone's text replacement or notes so you only change the name and the job.
The shape of a text that works
Almost every text that gets answered has these parts, in this order:
- Who you are. First name and business.
- Thanks for something specific. The job, the order, the visit.
- The ask. One sentence, one link.
- An easy out. "No worries if not."
A standard text message is 160 characters before it splits into several. Longer messages still arrive on modern phones, but the first line is what shows on the lock screen. Put the thanks and the ask in the first 100 characters or so, and the link after.
Templates by type of business
Restaurant, cafe or takeaway (after an order or booking)
"Hi Priya, thanks for dining with us at Marlow Kitchen tonight. If you enjoyed it, a quick Google review helps us more than you'd think: [link]. No worries if not. Hope to see you again!"
For delivery, send it once the order has arrived, not when it is placed. Customers write about the food they have eaten, not the one they are still waiting for.
Plumber, electrician, cleaner, landscaper or other home service
"Hi Marcus, it's Dana from Brightline Electric. Thanks for having us out today to sort the garage wiring. If you're happy with the work, would you leave a quick Google review? [link]. Thank you!"
Send within one to three hours of leaving, while the result is obvious. If the job runs over several days, send it when the work is signed off.
Salon, barber, nails or massage
"Hi Ana, it was great to see you today! If you love your cut, we'd really appreciate a Google review: [link]. It helps other people find us. See you next time, Lena at Birch Street Salon."
Clinic, dentist, vet or physio (next day)
"Hi Tom, thanks for coming in yesterday. We hope Biscuit is feeling better. If you have a minute, a Google review helps other pet owners find us: [link]. And if anything wasn't right, reply here and we'll look into it."
Do not reference medical details in a text. Say "your visit", not the diagnosis or treatment. The review you receive will be public, and the customer decides what to share.
Shop or retail (after pick-up or delivery)
"Hi Sam, thanks for picking up your order from Eastside Cycles. If the bike is treating you well, we'd appreciate a Google review: [link]. Thank you!"
Car repair or tyre shop
"Hi Karen, it's Joe at Hillside Auto. Your car is ready and the invoice is in your email. When you've had a chance to drive it, a Google review would mean a lot to us: [link]."
Professional services (accountant, lawyer, agent, designer)
"Hi Alex, thanks for trusting us with your tax return this year. If you found it easy, we'd be grateful for a short Google review: [link]. It's the best way new clients find us."
A past customer you have not seen in a while
"Hi Nina, it's Karen from Eastside Tyres. We fitted your winter set last year and I hope they've served you well. We're trying to grow our Google reviews and would value yours if you were happy: [link]. Thanks either way."
Send a few a day, not hundreds at once. A sudden burst of reviews from one day can look unnatural and takes the personal touch out of the ask.
Follow-up texts
One reminder is fine; a second is pushing. Wait three to five days after the first text, and only send it to people who did not reply. If you cannot tell who posted a review, skip the reminder rather than nag someone who already did it.
"Hi Priya, just a gentle nudge in case this got buried. If you've got a minute, here's the link: [link]. Thanks again for coming in!"
For someone who answered "I'll do it later" and has not:
"No rush at all, Marcus. Here's the link again in case it's handy: [link]. Thanks!"
What to do when someone replies
| Their reply | Your answer |
|---|---|
| "Sure, will do" | "Thank you, much appreciated!" Then leave it. |
| "What should I write?" | "Anything about your visit is great. A sentence or two about what you liked is plenty." |
| "Do I get anything for it?" | "No, Google doesn't let us offer anything for reviews. Thanks either way." (why you cannot reward reviews) |
| "The link doesn't work" | Send the link again, and ask them to open it in a browser rather than inside the messaging app. |
| A complaint | Do not send the link again. Call or reply to fix the problem first. |
| "STOP" | Remove them from every list and send nothing else. |
What to leave out of a review text
- Any reward. No discount, freebie or draw entry. Google prohibits incentives for reviews, positive or negative.
- "Five stars". Ask for a review, not a rating. Telling someone which score to give looks like manipulation.
- Pre-written reviews. Do not offer text for the customer to paste. Reviews must be the customer's own words.
- Review gating. Do not send the link only to those who reply "good" to a satisfaction question. Selectively collecting positive reviews is against Google's policy. Ask everyone you served, and handle complaints as a separate conversation.
- Long messages. If it needs scrolling, it is too long.
- Several links. One link only. Not Google, Facebook and Yelp together.
- A shortened link of unknown origin. Use the link you tested. Odd-looking short links can look like spam.
Timing and tracking
Most owners get the best response within a few hours of the visit, with a dip after a day. Medical and similar visits are the exception: next day works better. Sending between 10 and 19 local time is considerate; avoid late nights and early mornings.
Keep a simple log: date, customer first name, job, text sent, reminder sent, review seen. Once a week, compare sends with new reviews. If under about one in ten leaves a review, test one change at a time: the sending time, the first line, or the link. Do not change four things and then wonder which worked.
When the reviews arrive, reply to them. People who see an owner reply are more likely to write one, and your reply is read by future customers. If you need wording, use the Google review response templates.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to text customers asking for a Google review?
Yes. Google's help page says you can ask customers to visit a link or scan a QR code. Text customers you have served and who gave you their number, keep it one-to-one in tone, and respect anyone who says stop.
How long should a review request text be?
Two or three short sentences. Thanks, ask, link, easy out. Under 300 characters is a good ceiling.
Should I send the text or an email?
Text for anything where the customer is on the move: restaurants, trades, salons. Email for professional services and online orders. Some owners send both a day apart, but one channel plus one reminder is plenty.
Can I offer a discount in the text?
No. Offering something in exchange for a review is prohibited. A thank-you after the fact with no promise is the safest approach.
What if I do not have the customer's number?
Use a QR code on the receipt, the counter or the van, or ask for their email at the time of sale. Never guess at numbers or buy lists.
Can I automate these texts?
You can, with a tool that connects to your booking or point of sale system. Keep the sender name real, keep the opt-out working, and keep asking everyone, not only the happy customers.
What to do next
Pick the template that matches most of your customers, put your name and your tested link in it, and save it on your phone. Send it to today's customers before you leave work. If you want the link and a printable sign made for you, check how your Google reviews compare with your nearest rivals, free. More guides are on the guides page.
Sources
- Read and reply to reviews, Google Business Profile Help, read Nov 6, 2026.
- 122 review request text templates to get Google reviews, GatherUp, read Nov 6, 2026 (as listed in search).
- 75 SMS review request templates, Synup, read Nov 6, 2026 (as listed in search).
- Online review request template, TextRequest, read Nov 6, 2026 (as listed in search).