What should an email asking for a Google review say?
Happy customers rarely think of leaving a review on their own. Not because they don’t want to, but because they have moved on. A well-written email, sent at the right moment, reminds them of the good time they had with you and puts the link in their hand. Often that is all that was missing.
This guide is a toolbox: every template below has a “Copy template” button. For the full method (QR code, asking in person, frequency), read our guide on how to get more Google reviews; for what to say at the counter, see how to ask a customer for a Google review.
What is the structure of a good review request email?
Every template in this guide follows the same five-part structure. If you write your own, keep this order:
| Part | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject line | Gets opened: they recognise your business and the visit | “Thanks for visiting [Name]” |
| Thank-you | Shows a human wrote it | “Thank you for dining with us on Saturday” |
| Request | Says clearly what you are asking | “Could you share your experience on Google?” |
| Link | Removes any searching | Your direct link to the review form |
| Signature | Puts a face to the business | “Julie, owner” |
You get the direct link from your Google Business Profile (“Ask for reviews” button): our article on your Google review link shows where to find it in two minutes. Don’t link to your profile in general: the customer would then have to find the “Write a review” button, and many give up.
- Subject line under 50 characters, with your business name
- Text readable in 20 seconds on a phone
- One link, one button
- A real reply-to address, not “no-reply”
- A line to stop receiving your emails
Free tool, no sign-up
Google review reply templates
Once reviews come in, reply to them: free templates by trade, situation and tone, ready to copy.
What does Google forbid when asking for reviews?
Google’s rules on prohibited content are clear, and they apply to your emails too:
- Offering something in exchange for a review: a discount, a free dessert, a gift or a prize draw reserved for reviewers. Google’s help centre says incentives such as free or discounted goods or services in exchange for reviews are strictly prohibited.
- Selectively asking for positive reviews: writing “if you were happy, leave us a review”, or only emailing customers you know were satisfied.
- Discouraging negative reviews: “if something went wrong, don’t post a review, write to us instead”.
You can, however, invite customers to write to you directly as well, without making the review conditional: “And if anything fell short, just reply to this email, I read every message.” For the legal side, see our guide on online review laws.
Templates for a restaurant, bar or café
1. After a restaurant booking
Subject: Thank you for dining at [Restaurant name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for having dinner with us [last night / on Saturday]. The whole team hopes you had a lovely time.
Your review means a lot to an independent restaurant like ours: it helps other diners find us. If you have a minute, you can share it on Google here: [Google review link]
And if anything fell short, just reply to this email: I read every message.
See you soon,
[First name], [role]
[Restaurant name] · [phone]
2. After a group meal or private event
Subject: Your [birthday / team dinner] at [Name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for trusting us with your [event] on [date]. We hope your guests went home happy.
If you would like to share your experience, a Google review will help others looking for a place for their own event: [Google review link]
Thanks again, and we look forward to welcoming you back.
[First name], [Restaurant name]
Templates for a hair salon, barber or beauty salon
3. After a hair or barber appointment
Subject: Thanks for your appointment, [First name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for coming to the salon today. I hope you still love your [cut / colour] this evening.
A Google review really helps us get known in the neighbourhood. It takes a minute: [Google review link]
See you next time,
[First name], [Salon name]
4. After a beauty treatment
Subject: Your treatment at [Salon name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for trusting us with your [treatment]. We hope you are still enjoying the results.
If you have a moment, your review on Google will help other clients choose: [Google review link]
Any question about your treatment or the products we suggested? Just reply to this email.
[First name], [Salon name]
Templates for a tradesperson or garage
5. When a job is finished
Subject: Your [type of work] is complete
Hello [Mr / Ms Name],
Thank you for choosing us for your [type of work] in [town]. We hope you are fully happy with the result.
For a small business like ours, Google reviews are the first thing future customers check before they call. If you wish, you can leave yours here: [Google review link]
For any question about maintenance or the guarantee, I am on [phone].
[Full name], [Company]
6. After a garage visit
Subject: Your car at [Garage name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for trusting us with your [model] for [the service / the repair]. Safe driving!
Your Google review helps other local drivers find a garage they can trust: [Google review link]
[First name], [Garage name] · [phone]
Templates for a hotel, B&B or shop
7. After a stay (hotel, B&B, holiday let)
Subject: Thank you for staying at [Name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for staying with us from [date] to [date]. We hope your journey home went well.
Travellers read reviews carefully before booking. If you have a moment, yours on Google would help us: [Google review link]
We would be delighted to welcome you again,
[First name], [Property name]
8. After a purchase in a shop (customer who gave their email)
Subject: Thanks for stopping by [Name]
Hello [First name],
Thank you for your purchase at [Shop name]. We hope [the product / your gift] is a hit.
Your Google review helps our local shop get known: [Google review link]
See you in store,
[First name], [Shop name]
Follow-ups, loyal customers and other languages: which templates?
9. The single follow-up (5 to 7 days later)
Subject: A quick note from [Name], if you have a minute
Hello [First name],
Just one last short message after your visit on [date]. If you have a moment, a Google review would really help us: [Google review link]
If you have already done it, thank you so much, and please ignore this message.
[First name], [Name]
10. For a loyal customer
Subject: Thank you for your loyalty, [First name]
Hello [First name],
You have been coming to [Name] for [months / years], and it is always a pleasure. Thank you.
You know our place better than anyone: if you feel like describing it to people who don’t know it yet, you can leave a Google review here: [Google review link]
See you very soon,
[First name], [Name]
11. For a French-speaking visitor (French version)
Objet : Merci pour votre visite chez [Nom]
Bonjour [Prénom],
Merci de nous avoir rendu visite pendant votre séjour à [ville]. Nous espérons que vous avez passé un bon moment.
Si vous avez une minute, un avis sur Google aiderait d’autres voyageurs à nous trouver : [lien avis Google]
Bon voyage,
[Prénom], [Nom]
12. After resolving a complaint
Subject: Following up on your message
Hello [First name],
Thank you again for telling us about [the issue]. We have [what was done] and I hope everything is now sorted.
If you would like to share your experience, whatever it was, you can do so on Google: [Google review link]
[First name], [Name]
One follow-up is enough. Beyond that, the email becomes pushy and customers may unsubscribe or mark your messages as spam.
When should you send it, and who are you allowed to email?
The right moment depends on your trade:
| Trade | When to send |
|---|---|
| Restaurant, bar | The day after the meal, late morning |
| Hair or beauty salon | The evening of the appointment |
| Tradesperson | The day the job is signed off, or the next day |
| Garage | Two or three days later, once they have driven the car |
| Hotel, B&B | The day after check-out |
| Shop | The day after the purchase |
Who can you email? In the UK, the ICO explains that marketing emails to individuals need specific consent, with a “soft opt-in” exception for existing customers who bought something similar from you, provided you gave them a clear chance to opt out when you collected their details and in every message. In France, the CNIL applies a similar rule. In every case, each email must say who sends it and offer a simple way to opt out.
In practice: collect the email address when customers book, with a clear sentence (“we may email you after your visit; you can opt out at any time”), and add an unsubscribe line at the bottom of every message. Our GDPR guide for small businesses covers the rest.
Which mistakes should you avoid?
- Sending weeks later: the customer no longer remembers the details, puts it off and forgets.
- Adding several links (Google, Tripadvisor, Facebook, your website): the customer hesitates and clicks none.
- Writing an essay: beyond five lines, nobody reads on a phone.
- Emailing everyone in visible copy: customers see each other’s addresses, which is a privacy problem.
- Promising a gift in return for the review: forbidden by Google, and the review may be removed.
- Forgetting to reply to the reviews you get: customers who see you reply are more willing to write. For your replies, our review reply templates tool has texts by trade and situation.
The steps at a glance
The steps to ask for a Google review by email, within the rules.
- Get the direct link. Copy the “Ask for reviews” link from your Google Business Profile.
- Collect the customer’s email. When they book, telling them they will get a message after their visit.
- Pick the template. Take the template for your trade and replace what is in square brackets.
- Send within 24 hours. The same evening or the next day, to every customer, with no conditions.
- Follow up once. Five to seven days later, with the follow-up template, then stop.
- Reply to the reviews. Thank every review, positive or negative, within a few days.
Do it without spending your evenings on it
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Sources
The rules quoted in this guide come from these official pages, checked on October 18, 2026.