In October 2026 my own Google Business Profile had 1 review. I help businesses get found on Google for a living, so I'm not proud of that number.
Most of my new clients find me on Google, then text me. So my review count matters to me the same way yours matters to you.
This is how to get more Google reviews the way I'm doing it on my own profile right now. It's the same plan I set up for clients. I'll update my count on this page as the reviews come in.
Why Reviews Are Worth the Awkward Ask
Reviews do two jobs. They help you show up in the map results, and they help people decide to call once they see you.
- Google Business Profile signals: 32%
- Review signals: 20%
- On-page signals: 15%
- Behavioral signals: 9%
- Link signals: 8%
- Citation signals: 6%
- Personalization: 6%
- Social signals: 4%
Google says it too. More reviews and good ratings can help your local ranking. That counts most in the map pack, the short list of businesses under the map in a "near me" search.
Then there's the person searching. In BrightLocal's 2026 survey, 97% of consumers said they read reviews for local businesses. 74% look for reviews from the last three months.
That second number is the one I'd watch. A pile of old reviews doesn't help as much as a steady few every month.
Step 1: Get Your Direct Review Link
"Leave us a review on Google" doesn't work. People mean to do it, then they get home and forget. They need a link that opens the review box in one tap.
To get yours, follow Google's current Business Profile instructions:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Select "Read reviews", then "Get more reviews"
- Copy the review link, or save the QR code
Test it on your own phone before you send it to anyone. Mine is the "Leave a Review" link at the bottom of every page on this site.
One catch. People need to be signed in to a Google account to leave a review. Google notes they can set one up with any email address, not just Gmail.
If your profile isn't claimed or filled out yet, start with how to get your business on Google.
Step 2: Ask One Person at a Time, by Text
I don't send a blast to everyone I've ever worked with. I send a personal text from my business line, one client at a time, and no more than two a week.
This is the text I'm sending this month:
"Hi [name]! Thanks for all the help on the call this week. If you've got a minute, would you leave me a Google review? Most of my new clients find me on Google, so a few honest words from you help a lot. [review link] Thanks, Hunter"
It's short. It says why I'm asking. It has the link right in it. That's all a review ask needs.
Step 3: Pick the Moment
Timing matters as much as the words. This is how I lined up my own first few asks:
- Right after a good meeting. One client and I had a great call this week. I'll ask the day after the recap email goes out.
- Not while I owe them an answer. Another client is waiting on replies from me. Asking for a favor on top of unanswered email reads badly. I'll answer first, then ask.
- Not on invoice day. A newer client's first invoice goes out soon. I'll ask before it or after our next meeting, not the same day.
For a service business, the good moments are easy to spot:
- Right after the job, when the leak is fixed or the project is done and they're relieved
- Right after a compliment. "Thank you. Would you mind putting that in a Google review?"
- At the follow-up, a day or two later, while it's still fresh
Two rules from Google's review policy. Ask everyone you've worked with, not just the ones you expect five stars from. And don't pressure anyone to write it on the spot.
"I Feel Weird Asking for Reviews"
Me too. That's a big part of why I had 1.
What helped me was saying why I'm asking. "Most of my new clients find me on Google" is true, and it turns the ask into a small favor instead of a sales move.
Most people who like your work are happy to help. They just won't think of it on their own.
Want Your Profile and Review Link Set Up for You?
Google Business Profile setup or cleanup is $399. I fill out the profile, check the categories and hand you a review link that works.
Step 4: Reply to Every Review
This one is free and takes a few minutes. Reply to every review, good or bad.
The best replies come from the person who did the work. On one plumbing company I work with, the owner's son answers their Google reviews himself. He knows the job, so the reply sounds like him.
Good Reviews
Thank them by name. Mention something about the job if you can. Keep it short.
Good: "Thanks, Sarah. Glad we got the water heater in before the cold snap."
Not so good: "Thank you for your five-star review. We value your business and look forward to serving you again." That reads like a form letter.
Bad Reviews
- Stay calm. Don't get defensive.
- Say you're sorry it went that way.
- Take it offline. "I'd like to make this right. Please call me at [your number]."
- Don't argue in public. Future customers are reading.
Step 5: Make It a Habit
A review push isn't a one-time thing. The 74% number above is the reason. People want recent reviews, so you need a few every month.
- After every job or sale, send a thank-you text within 24 hours with your review link
- If they haven't left one after three days, send one reminder. Just one.
- When a review posts, reply within 48 hours
- Once a month, look at your count and who you haven't asked yet
Review software can send the texts for you. For most small businesses, a personal text from you works fine. If you'd rather hand it off, my Managed plan includes Business Profile management plus review requests and replies.
What Not to Do
- Don't buy reviews. Google removes fake ones. It can also restrict your profile, block new reviews for a while and show a warning to customers.
- Don't offer anything for a review. "Leave a review and get 10% off" breaks Google's review policies.
- Don't screen people first. Asking "would you give us 5 stars?" and only sending the happy ones to Google isn't allowed.
- Don't ask friends or family who weren't customers. Reviews have to come from a real experience.
How Reviews Connect to Your Website
A strong review profile gets people to tap on you in Google. Then they look at your website to decide whether to call.
If your site makes that hard, the reviews go to waste. Read why a website doesn't get calls, and how reviews, your profile and your pages fit together in local SEO.
Want help with your profile or your site? Call or text me at (502) 305-4043. I'll tell you what I'd do first.
