How to get more Google reviews without breaking Google's rules

For local businesses, Google reviews decide a lot of who gets the call. Here's how to get more of them the right way, without anything that could get your reviews removed.

1. Ask every customer

The single biggest reason businesses don't have reviews is that they don't ask. Ask every customer, every time. Don't pick only the happy ones. Google calls that "review gating" and doesn't allow it.

2. Ask within a few hours of the job

People are most likely to leave a review right after the problem is fixed, while they still feel the relief. A day later they've moved on. A text 1 to 2 hours after the job works well.

3. Send a direct link

Don't make people search for you. In your Google Business Profile, click "Ask for reviews" and copy the link. Send that link so it opens the review box in one tap.

4. Keep the message short and personal

5. Reply to every review

Thank people for good reviews by name and mention the job. For a bad review, reply calmly, don't argue, and offer to make it right by phone. Future customers read your replies too.

What Google doesn't allow

• Offering discounts, gifts or anything else in exchange for reviews.
• Only asking customers you think are happy.
• Buying reviews, or having family, friends or employees review you.
• Writing reviews for customers or posting them for them.

Breaking these rules can get reviews removed or your profile restricted. It's not worth it.

Make it automatic

The hard part isn't knowing what to do, it's remembering to do it after every job. Every Automyx plan sends your review link to every customer after the job, so you never forget to ask.