Adapt the invitation, not the customer's review
These examples are messages from a business inviting feedback. They are not reviews for a customer to publish as their own. Replace the placeholders with accurate business details and a tested review link, then keep the invitation optional. Do not add a requested rating, a reward, or a requirement to mention an employee.
Use a template only after a genuine interaction and through a channel you are entitled to use. Select customers by a consistent event, such as a completed appointment, rather than by whether they expressed satisfaction. A neutral template becomes selective solicitation if it is sent only to people screened for a positive opinion.
Check for private details before sending. A message visible on a lock screen may reveal more than intended; avoid unnecessary references to treatments, financial matters, home addresses, or confidential transactions. Keep account-specific support in a suitable private channel.
Email after a completed visit or job
A short email gives room to identify the business and explain the link without overwhelming the recipient. Use a recognisable sender and a straightforward subject, such as 'Feedback on your visit to [business]'. Do not disguise the request as an urgent account problem or an unpaid invoice.
For a service job, replace 'visit' with the accurate description of the interaction. Do not say the project is complete when a significant agreed stage remains outstanding. Keep any customer-service contact separate so the recipient understands they can raise an issue without making it public.
Subject: Feedback on your visit to [business] Hello [first name], Thank you for choosing [business]. If you would like to describe your experience, you can leave an honest Google review here: [review link]. Posting is entirely optional. If you need help with your visit, you can contact us at [business contact]. Thank you, [team]
SMS when that channel is appropriate
Keep a text message brief and clearly identify the sender. Use the direct review destination rather than a suspicious-looking chain of redirects. Check applicable messaging permissions and include any required opt-out mechanism. The example below is editorial wording, not a substitute for channel-specific compliance requirements.
Do not send several follow-ups because a tracking system cannot confirm that the person posted. They may have chosen not to, used a different account, or submitted feedback that is not visible. None of those possibilities entitles the business to keep asking.
Hi [first name], this is [business]. Thank you for your visit. If you wish, share an honest Google review here: [review link]. No obligation. [Appropriate opt-out wording, where required.]
In-person requests and printed cards
A spoken request should be easy to decline without awkwardness. Offer the link or a card and let the person decide later. Do not take their phone, ask them to sign in on a staff device, or stand nearby until they finish. A printed QR code should have a readable alternative and identify the business it points to.
Train staff to deliver the same simple invitation regardless of the customer's apparent mood. If a concern is raised, address it through the normal service process rather than substituting a review request for help.
If you would like to share your experience, this card has our Google review link. Honest feedback is welcome, and there is no need to do it now.
Match the invitation to the service
For hospitality, refer to the property or venue actually visited. For an appointment, refer to the completed visit without naming sensitive personal services. For a trade or relocation job, wait until the agreed handover so the customer has a meaningful experience to assess. These small changes make the message relevant without directing the review's content.
Hotel example: 'Thank you for staying at [property]. You are welcome to share an honest account of your stay at [link].' Moving example: 'Thank you for choosing [business] for your move. If you would like to share your experience after delivery, our review link is [link].' Both leave the rating and details to the customer.
Avoid additions such as 'help us reach five stars', 'mention these three points', or 'send a screenshot for a discount'. Do not ask someone to remove criticism before providing help. A template is successful when it communicates clearly and respects choice, not when it produces a predetermined sentiment.
Official sources
Use these Google resources for current platform instructions and policies. This guide is independent educational content, not Google endorsement or a compliance certification.