How to Leave, Edit, Manage, and Get More Google Reviews

Google Reviews Explained

If you’re looking to grow your online presence, you’ve come to the right place. Nowadays, if people can’t find business reviews and testimonials about your company, they might not find you at all. We’ll teach you everything you need to know.

What are Google Reviews?

Google Reviews are a popular and reliable way for customers to give feedback and they are crucial for local SEO. They are a powerful tool for both businesses and customers. On the one hand, they help consumers decide which business they want to buy from or hire. On the other hand, reviews help these businesses get found in Google search by potential customers.

Outlining the Key Google Review Stats in 2025

If you feel like everyone checks Google before they choose a local business, you’re right. Recent research shows more than 80% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses, and it remains the most used review platform globally. A strong majority of people say they trust online reviews almost as much as personal recommendations, and that trust is under more scrutiny as fake and low-quality reviews become easier to spot.

Fresh, detailed reviews carry more weight than a lonely five-star score from years ago. Customers are now on the hunt for recency, specifics, and how a business responds just as much as the star rating itself.

Why are Google Reviews Important?

Positive reviews are fundamental for the success of any business. They add credibility and illustrate a business’ commitment to outstanding products, services, and customer experience. Even negative reviews (they happen to the best of us) can be used as a tool to strengthen your online reputation.

A survey conducted by BrightLocal in 2022 revealed that an impressive 81% of customers used Google to assess local businesses in the last year – up from only 63% in 2021. This means Google reviews are more important than ever for businesses and customers alike.

What are the Benefits of Google Reviews?

Google Reviews can be incredibly valuable for local businesses like yours. Here are some of the key Google reviews benefits:

• Increased online ranking: Like we said, Google reviews are great for local SEO. A high number of reviews on Google can help your business appear higher in search results and attract more traffic to your website.
• Increased brand trust: Customers are more likely to trust and choose a business that has a high rating and positive reviews from other customers.
  Improved customer feedback: Reading through customer reviews can provide valuable insights into what your customers like about your business and where there may be areas for improvement.
• Improved customer conversion: When potential customers see positive reviews for your business, they are more likely to click through to your website or visit your physical location and convert (make a purchase).

Overall, Google Reviews can help businesses build their online reputation, attract new customers, and improve their overall performance by providing valuable feedback from customers.

How do Google Reviews Work?

Okay, now that you know why reviews are so crucial, let’s get into the nitty gritty details.

Where Do Google Reviews Appear?

Google reviews appear in Google search results and in the company’s “Google My Business” page. This means that customers are likely to see them when researching a business online or the Google Maps app. Additionally, reviews can be used on websites and social media to show customers that a business is trustworthy. Generally speaking though, Google reviews are left on the business’ Google profile and can be found there.

In Google Maps, simply click on a business to see their Google Business Profile. Then, scroll down to see their review summary. You can also click on “More Google Reviews” at the bottom of the summary to view all reviews left for the business by local customers. These can be further filtered by common words, highest rated, lowest reviews, and most recent reviews.

Google Reviews as a Ranking Factor

Next, let’s talk rankings and visibility. Running Google ads isn’t the only way to get more eyes on your business. Your goal as a small business is to reign supreme in the search results, right? Google reviews can help you with online rankings. Here’s how:

• Increased visibility: Positive reviews on Google can help your business appear higher in search results, as the algorithm takes into account the quality and quantity of reviews when determining search rankings.

• Increased engagement: When customers leave reviews on Google, it signals to the algorithm that there is active engagement with your business, which can improve your overall ranking.

• Improved local SEO: Google Reviews are particularly important for businesses looking to improve their local SEO, as they signal to the algorithm that you are a reputable and popular choice within your local area.

How Google Uses Reviews in Local Ranking

Google doesn’t just show businesses at random. Local results and the map pack are driven by three core signals.

• Relevance: How well your Business Profile matches what someone is searching for. Your category, description, services, and even the language in your reviews all play a role.
• Distance: How close your business is to the person searching or the location they type in. You can’t control where someone is standing, but you can make sure your address and service area are accurate.
• Prominence: How “well-known” and trusted your business appears online. This is where reviews matter most. Google looks at how many reviews you have, your average rating, how often new reviews come in, and whether you respond.

Together these “review signals” help Google decide which businesses to show in the local pack and on Maps. For example, if two Aussie sparkies are side-by-side in the same suburb, the one with a 4.8 average rating, 120 recent reviews, and consistent responses will usually look more credible and attract more clicks than a competitor sitting at a 3.5 rating with a dozen old reviews.

What is the Impact of Google Reviews on Click-Through Rate (CTR)? (CTR)?

Google Reviews can also improve your CTR (the number of people who find your business listing and click to your website to learn more). Here’s how:

• Improved clickability: When potential customers see positive reviews for your business, they are more likely to click through to your website as they trust the quality of your products or services.
• Competitive advantage: Having more positive reviews than your competitors can give you a competitive advantage in your industry and increase CTR by making you stand out from the crowd.

How Do You Measure the Impact of Google Reviews?

Customer feedback comes in many forms, but you can typically sort it into the qualitative (the sentiment of the words of the review) and quantitative (the amount and star rating of reviews). Both types of feedback are beneficial to improving your overall rating and ranking on online review sites. More advanced customer feedback tools such as those giving you a Net Promoter Score (NPS) may use a 0-10 scale to give you a clear look at how your customer base sees you. They can give you insight into the stages of the customer journey that need help as well as aggregate net promoter scores over time.

The information your customers can provide to your business is invaluable. Boosting your reputation by keeping your reviews current can make all the difference. Don’t believe us? Just Google it.

How to Leave a Google Review (Desktop & Mobile)

Leaving a Google review only takes a minute. Once you know the flow, you can easily explain it to your customers.

On desktop (Google Search and Maps)

• Sign in to your Google account in your browser.
• Search for the business name in Google Search or open it in Google Maps.
• On the business profile, scroll to the Reviews section and click Write a review or Rate and review.
• Choose how many stars you want to give, then type a short comment describing your experience.
• Add photos if they help other customers.
• Click Post to publish your review.

On mobile (Google app and Maps app)

• Open the Google app or Google Maps app and make sure you’re signed in.
• Search for the business you want to review and tap its profile.
• Scroll to the Reviews area and tap Rate and review.
• Select your star rating, then write a brief review.
• Optionally add photos from your camera or gallery.
• Tap Post.

For everyday life in Australia, this might look like leaving a quick review after a tradie visit, a dentist appointment, a café brunch, or a car service. A few honest lines and a star rating make all the difference to local businesses trying to get ahead of the pack.

How to Edit or Delete a Google Review You’ve Written

Sometimes your experience with a business changes, or you spot a typo in what you wrote. Don’t worry; you’re free to update or remove your own reviews at any time.

Editing your Google review

On desktop

• Sign into your Google account.
• Open Google Maps in your browser or search for the business in Google Search and click into the full profile.
• In Maps, click the menu icon or your profile picture and go to Your contributions → Reviews.
• Find the review you want to change and click the three dots next to it.
• Select Edit review, update your star rating and text, then save.

On mobile (Maps app)

• Open the Google Maps app and make sure you’re signed in.
• Tap your profile picture and go to Your profile or Your contributions.
• Choose Reviews, then tap the review you want to change.
• Tap the three dots and select Edit review.
• Update your rating and comments and tap Save.

Deleting your Google review

Just follow the same steps above to find your review, but choose Delete review instead of Edit review from the three-dot menu. Once you confirm, the review is removed from the business profile.

If your experience changes later, you can always go back and write a brand-new review.

Quick links and QR codes for customers

Businesses can make this even easier by using their official Google review link or a QR code. When customers scan or tap the link, they go straight to the Rate and review screen for your profile. Sharing that link in texts, receipts, emails, or on a small sign at the counter can dramatically increase how many reviews you get.

Do You Need a Google Account to Leave a Review?

Yes. You must be signed into a Google account to post a review – a characteristic of Google that aims to reduce spam and fake reviews.

The account doesn’t always have to be a Gmail address. Customers can create a Google account using any email, including Outlook, BigPond, iCloud, or a work address. Once the account is set up and they’re logged in, they can leave reviews the same way as any other user.

Reviews are not fully anonymous. Each review shows a display name linked to that Google account, which helps keep the system more transparent and trustworthy.

How Can You Get More Google Reviews?

Knowing the reasons that motivate customers to leave a Google review is a great start, but most people are still unlikely to do it on their own. If you really want to get more customer feedback, you may have to step outside your comfort zone. But really, all you have to do is ask.

1. Build a Simple Review Strategy

If you want more Google reviews, treat them like a small but important campaign instead of a random favour.

• Set a clear target, such as aiming for 10–20 new reviews per month for each location, depending on your volume.
• Prioritise happy customers who have just had a great experience. for example right after a successful job, appointment, or handover.
• Decide when in the journey you will ask. completion of work, collection of a car, checkout, discharge, or a follow-up message 24–48 hours later.
• Track basic numbers like review volume, average rating, and how many you receive each month so you can see progress over time.

For many local Australian businesses. mechanics, physios, cafés, dentists, real estate agencies, and trades. this steady trickle of new reviews is the difference between being short-listed or never getting the call.

2. Set Up and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is one of the first impressions many people will get of your business, so it’s important to get it right.

First, create or claim your business profile. Once you have access to your profile, ensure that all the information is accurate, including your business name, address, phone number, website URL, hours of operation, and services/products offered. Adding high-quality photos and videos can make your profile more engaging and attractive to potential customers. Encouraging customers to leave reviews on your profile can improve your ranking in search results. Responding to both positive and negative reviews shows that you care about customer satisfaction and can help build trust with potential customers. Including relevant keywords in the description of your business can also improve rankings in search results.

Finally, keep customers engaged by posting regular updates about new products/services, promotions, events or other news related to your business. By following these steps, you can set up and optimise your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility and engagement with potential customers online.

3. Ask Your Customers for a Favour

Asking customers for a review as a favour can be an effective way to get honest feedback. This approach allows you to show your appreciation and build trust with the customer while they provide their valuable input. Additionally, customers may be more inclined to leave a positive review if they feel like their opinion is valued and appreciated – and that they are doing something nice for the business.

When you ask for a review, explain why it’s important for them to leave the review and how it will help your business grow, and make sure to let them know that they should be honest and that you aren’t specifically asking for a positive review, just an honest one. Plus, getting an honest review from a happy customer really is a favor, since it takes roughly 40 positive reviews to negate the effects of one bad review.

4. Develop a Script for Asking for Reviews

Asking customers for reviews can feel intimidating, but it is extremely important for any business. You can take the stress out of the process by creating scripts that are tailored to different mediums such as in-person conversations, emails, or SMS text messages.

A few example scripts you can use are:

• Script 1: “Hi there! We really appreciate your business and wanted to ask if you could do us a favor and take the time to leave a review. It would be greatly appreciated and help others learn more about what we have to offer.”
• Script 2: “Your opinion matters to us, and we’re hoping you’d do us a quick favor. Would you please consider leaving us a review? Your honest feedback will help other customers make informed choices and we appreciate your business!”
• Script 3: “Your opinion means the world to us – if you have the time, please consider leaving us a review as a favor. It would help others understand our offerings better and help give us the exposure to reach more customers like you.”
• Script 4: “Leaving us a review is like extending a favor – it helps others understand the quality of our services and products. Would you mind taking the time to leave us an honest review?”

Want to see more texting templates? Check out our Texting Template Library.

5. Say Thank You Before They Leave a Review (and After!)

Studies show that requests sent via email are 36% more likely to get a positive response if the email includes some expression of gratitude before the task or favor has been complete. (Example, “Thank you in advance for your time on this!)

If we apply the same principle to review requests, it is logical to include some gratitude in your request to customers for an honest review, as well.

When customers do leave a review on Google, make sure you follow up and respond to the review to thank them publicly.

6. Get the Right Tools to Automate Review Requests

Asking for Google reviews can take a lot of time, especially for small business owners. That’s why tools that make it easy for small businesses to ask for reviews and make it easy for customers to leave reviews are so important. Not only do they help small businesses get more Google reviews (and reviews on other platforms), but they help customers more easily and effectively share their experiences with other buyers.

With a tool like Podium Reviews, you can just send a review invite over text. That takes the first three steps out of the process—all they have to do is tap the review link you sent, then share their experience. It’s so easy, they can post a new five-star review while they’re still in your store—and so convenient, they can do it from anywhere on their own schedule.

7. Train Your Team to Ask for Reviews

Consistency is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting as many honest reviews from customers as possible. To ensure that each customer is asked in the same way and given a positive experience, it’s important to create a process and culture around asking for reviews.

Set up some time to teach your team how to professionally and politely ask customers for reviews while emphasising the importance of responding quickly to both good and bad feedback. Doing so will help ensure that your team can give the highest quality customer service, as well as build trust with customers.

This is especially important if you are asking for reviews in person. If your team isn’t 100% comfortable yet, you can practice using the scripts below. This will help them understand how to respond to both positive and negative responses to their requests and remove the uncertainty or discomfort of asking for a review.

Some Key Australian Compliance Note on Reviews

In Australia, reviews sit under general consumer law. That means.

• You must not post fake reviews or ask people who haven’t used your service to do so.
• You must not offer incentives only in exchange for positive reviews. If you do run a review-linked promotion, it must be open to all honest feedback, good or bad, and disclosed clearly.
• You must not selectively hide or remove genuine negative reviews just because they hurt your image or involve a commercial relationship.

Staying transparent and fair keeps you on the right side of both Google’s policies and the ACCC’s guidance.

Example Scripts:

Script 1:

• Team Member: “We’d love to hear about your experience with our services. Would you mind taking a few minutes to leave us a Google review?”
• Customer: “Sure thing, sounds great!”
• Team Member: “Fantastic! We really appreciate it and we’re so glad you had a positive experience.”

Script 2:

• Team Member: “We appreciate your patronage and would be grateful if you left us a Google review sharing your experience.”
• Customer: “No, I’m sorry. I don’t have time right now.”
• Team Member: “No problem at all, we understand. If you change your mind, you can find us on Google anytime and leave a review. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you again!”

How to Manage Google Reviews

How to Respond to Positive, Neutral, and Negative Google Reviews?

Responding to Google reviews is an important part of managing your online reputation and building trust with potential customers. Here’s how to respond to positive, neutral, and negative Google reviews:

Positive reviews: When responding to positive reviews, be sure to thank the customer for their support. You can also highlight specific aspects of their experience that they mentioned in their review. This shows that you value their feedback and are committed to providing excellent service.

Neutral reviews: Neutral reviews may not necessarily require a response, but if you do choose to respond, take the opportunity to address any concerns the customer may have mentioned. You can also thank them for taking the time to leave a review and invite them back for another visit.

Negative reviews: Negative reviews get left for even the best businesses. Although no one likes to see a negative review of their business, it’s important to respond in a professional and courteous manner. Start by acknowledging the customer’s concerns and apologising for any negative experience they may have had. Then, offer solutions or ways to make things right.

How to Hide Google Reviews?

How to Delete Google Reviews?

As mentioned above, you can’t delete reviews that people leave of your business. If you’re dealing with unfair, spammy, or fake reviews that violate Google’s review policy, you can request a review removal.

How to Add Google Reviews to Your Website?

Adding Google reviews or a review widget to your website can be a great way to showcase positive feedback from satisfied customers and build trust with potential new customers. It’s important to note, however, that displaying Google reviews on your website requires technical expertise and knowledge of programming languages. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you may want to consider hiring a web developer or using a third-party review management platform that offers review widgets or plugins.

If you believe you have the technical know-how to get the job done, here is a brief overview of what you’ll need to do:

1. Go to the Google Places API page and sign up for an API key.
2. Once you have your API key, use it to create a request URL that will retrieve the reviews from your Google Business Profile.
3. Use a programming language such as JavaScript or PHP to create a function that will parse the data from the request URL and display it on your website.
4. Customise the appearance of the reviews using CSS, HTML, or a pre-made plugin or widget.
5. Test your code and make any necessary adjustments before publishing it on your live website.

Manage and Get Google Reviews with Podium

Podium helps small and local businesses stay on top of their review game. Growing your online reputation should be simple. With Podium you can:

• Drive more traffic online and in person.
• Increase review volume.
• Communicate seamlessly with customers.
• Manage reviews in one central dashboard.

And so much more. Ready to give it a try? Start a free trial today.

Google Reviews FAQs

How do I Remove Fake Google Reviews?

You cannot remove reviews, but you can report them if they violate Google’s policies. To do that, sign in to your Google profile and navigate to the Reviews section. Then, find the review you want to flag or report and click on the three-dot menu icon next to it. Select “Flag as inappropriate” if the review violates Google’s policies, or “Report a policy violation” if the review is fake or spammy. Finally, Follow the prompts and provide any necessary information to submit your request for review.

Should I Respond to Every Single Review?

Responding to reviews shows potential customers that you care about the experience you provide for the people who do business with you. While responding to every review may not be feasible or necessary, you should make a goal to respond to as many reviews as possible.

How Do I Get Google My Business Reviews?

Many people are happy to leave businesses reviews, businesses just need to be willing to ask! Try sending a review request text after a customer makes a purchase. Be sure to explain why reviews help your business and include a link to your Google Business Profile to make the process as convenient as possible.

Can customers leave Google reviews anonymously?

Not fully. Every review is tied to a Google account and shows a display name and profile image if the user has one. People can choose a non-identifying display name, but reviews are not completely anonymous.

How long do Google reviews take to show up?

Most reviews appear within a short time of being posted. Occasionally, Google may delay or filter reviews while it checks for spam or policy issues, so a small number might not appear immediately or at all.

Is it legal in Australia to offer incentives for Google reviews?

You must be very careful here. Under Australian Consumer Law, you must not mislead customers or only offer incentives for positive reviews. If you run a promotion, it needs to be clearly disclosed and open to all honest feedback, positive or negative, and you must not interfere with what customers say.

How do I get more Google Business Profile reviews?

Ask more often and make it easy. Send customers a short text or email with your Google review link after a visit, explain why reviews help your business, and thank them for honest feedback. Over time, those small, consistent conversations will build a strong, trustworthy review profile that helps you stand out in Search and Maps.