How to Get More Google Reviews the Right Way

When someone searches Google for “restaurant near me” or “salon in …”, businesses appear on the map along with their star rating and number of reviews. Many people read these reviews before deciding to visit or call. That’s why Google reviews have become an important part of any local business’s reputation.

But there are right ways to get more reviews, and ways that break Google’s policies and can harm your business. In this guide we explain both.

Start with the foundation: your Google Business Profile

Before asking your customers for reviews, make sure you have a Google Business Profile and that it’s complete:

Claim and verify your business: if your business already appears on the map and you haven’t claimed it yet, start there.
The correct name: your business name as it is in real life, without extra keywords added.
Address and map pin: accurate, so customers can find you without calling.
Opening hours: up to date, including Ramadan and Eid hours.
Phone number and website: add your website link so customers can learn more.
Photos: real, clear photos of the premises and your products or services.
The right category: choose the most accurate business category.

A complete profile gives customers confidence and makes asking for a review feel more natural.

The right ways to get more Google reviews

Simply ask

The most direct way is to ask. Many satisfied customers don’t think of writing a review unless they’re asked. A friendly line like “If you enjoyed the service, we’d love a review on Google” is enough.

Choose the right moment

Timing makes a difference:

In a restaurant or café: after the meal and at payment.
In a salon: after the service, once the customer has seen the result.
In a clinic: on leaving the appointment, or with a follow-up message the same day.
In a shop: after the order is received, not before.

Make it easy

Every extra step lowers the chance that a customer follows through. Instead of saying “Search for us on Google and write a review”, give them a direct link or a QR code that takes them to the right place.

Use QR cards on site

A small card on the table, at the till or in the order bag, with a QR code and a clear message, reminds customers at the right moment without awkwardness.

Add the link to your communication channels

The thank-you message after an order.
Your email signature.
WhatsApp messages after the service.
Your website.

Replying to reviews: don’t ignore it

Replying to reviews shows new customers that you care.

Replying to positive reviews

Thank the customer by name if possible, and mention something specific from their review rather than a generic, repeated reply.

Replying to negative reviews

This is a chance to show your professionalism:

Don’t reply while you’re upset: take your time.
Apologise for the experience: even if you think the customer exaggerated.
Don’t get into a public argument: and don’t reveal any private information about the customer.
Offer a solution: and invite them to contact you directly to follow up on the issue.
Fix the cause: if the same criticism keeps coming up, it’s an important message about something that needs improving.

Make asking for reviews a daily habit

The best results come from consistency, not a one-off campaign. Agree with your team that asking for a review is a natural part of the end of every service, and remind them from time to time.

What do Google’s policies not allow?

This section is very important. Google’s policies for content posted on Maps prohibit certain practices, and breaking them can lead to reviews being removed or action being taken against your Business Profile. We recommend reviewing the content policies for reviews on Google’s help pages yourself, because they are updated from time to time. Among the main things they prohibit:

Buying reviews

Paying a company or individuals to write reviews for your business is not allowed.

Fake reviews

Writing reviews from fake accounts, the business owner or employees reviewing their own business, or writing fake negative reviews of competitors are all prohibited practices.

Incentives for reviews

Offering a discount, a gift or a free drink in exchange for a review is not allowed, even if you don’t require the review to be positive.

Selecting only satisfied customers (review gating)

This practice is less well known but common: you first ask the customer whether they’re satisfied; if they are, you send them to Google, and if they aren’t, you direct them only to an internal form and never offer them the option of reviewing on Google. Google’s policies do not allow selectively soliciting positive reviews or discouraging negative ones. The right approach is for the option to review on Google to be available to every customer, whatever their opinion.

Quick comparison

Allowed	Not allowed
Asking all customers for a review	Buying reviews
A direct link or QR code to the review page	A discount or gift in exchange for a review
Replying to all reviews	Reviews from the business owner or employees
Collecting private feedback in addition to the Google option	Sending only satisfied customers to Google

The Oxira reviews page

We designed the Oxira Google reviews page to make asking for reviews easier in a way that follows this principle:

A review page for your business with a ready-to-print QR card.
Every customer sees the Google button: the option to review on Google is never hidden from any customer.
Low ratings and comments reach you too: they arrive in your email so you can follow up with the customer and fix the problem.

Price: 79 SAR per month, excluding 15% VAT.

This add-on works well alongside other tools: for example, restaurants using the QR digital menu, or clinics and salons that take appointments through the booking system.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask my customers to review my business on Google?

Yes, asking customers for reviews is allowed. What matters is that you ask everyone, without selecting, and without offering anything in return.

Can I give a customer a discount if they write a review?

No. Offering any incentive in exchange for a review breaks Google’s policies, even if you don’t specifically ask for a positive review.

What is “review gating” and why is it prohibited?

It means asking customers about their satisfaction first, then sending only the satisfied ones to Google and directing the dissatisfied ones to a private channel. This counts as selectively soliciting positive reviews, which Google’s policies do not allow. You can collect private feedback, but the option to review on Google must remain available to everyone.

Should I delete negative reviews?

You can’t delete a review just because it’s negative. If a review breaks Google’s policies, for example if it’s offensive or unrelated to your business, you can report it. A genuine negative review is best answered professionally, and its cause addressed.

How does the Oxira reviews page help me?

It gives you a review page and a QR card for your business, every customer sees the Google review button, and low ratings and comments arrive in your email so you can follow up. The price is 79 SAR per month before tax.

Start collecting reviews the right way

If you want an organised, easy way to ask customers for reviews without breaking Google’s policies, take a look at the Oxira Google reviews page, or contact us and we’ll help you get started.