How to get a Google Maps review link and create a QR code for requesting reviews

If you want customers to leave a review on Google Maps, do not make them search for your shop's name and then hunt for the review button. Send them a link that opens the star-rating form right away, or a QR code they can scan to get started. This guide explains how to get your Google review link, create a QR code, decide where to place it, and what to write next to it.

What is a Google review link?

It is a link that opens the review form for your business directly on Google. Customers who are signed in to their Google account only need to select a star rating, write a few lines, and post the review. Without this link, customers have to go through four or five search steps, and most will abandon the process halfway through.

The only requirement is that the business already has a Google Business Profile and that you manage that profile.

How to get a Google review link

Method 1: on Google Search (desktop)

1. Sign in to the Google account that manages the Business Profile.
2. Enter your business's exact name on Google. The Business Profile management panel will appear above the search results.
3. Select the button to request reviews (usually labeled "Ask for reviews" or "Get more reviews").
4. Copy the link from the box that appears.

Method 2: in the Google Maps app (on a phone)

1. Open Google Maps with your manager account and go to your Business Profile.
2. Go to the Customers or Reviews section.
3. Select the option to request more reviews or share the review form, then copy the link.

The button name may vary slightly depending on the version and language, but it will always be in the profile's review management section.

Method 3: build the link using a Place ID

Every location on Google has a Place ID. Find it using Google's Place ID Finder tool, then add it to the following URL:

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=[Your Place ID]

This method is useful when you need links for multiple branches, with one Place ID for each branch.

Test the link before using it: Open it in an incognito browser and on another phone. The correct link should open the star-rating box for the right branch.

Create a QR code from a review link

1. Paste the link into any QR code generator and choose to download it as a PNG or SVG so it will print without becoming pixelated.
2. Print a test and scan it with two different phones—one iPhone and one Android—before printing a large batch.
3. Print the code at a sufficiently large size: at least about 2.5 cm per side on a handheld card, and larger if it is placed out of reach, such as on a wall.
4. Leave a white border around the code, and do not place it on a patterned background.

If you use a QR code service with a shortened link, make sure the service will not expire after a few months. A printed QR code with a dead link means the entire batch is wasted.

Where should you place the QR code?

• Checkout counter: the time of payment is the easiest time to remind customers.
• A thank-you card included with the receipt or place it in a product bag.
• Mirrors, waiting tables at salons, spas, and nail salons.
• Dining table at restaurants and cafés, next to the order QR code.
• Vehicle pickup waiting area at the garage.

What should you write next to the QR code?

A clear invitation with no incentive:

How was your experience today? Scan the code to share it on Google. Every piece of feedback helps us serve you better.

Do not print "Leave a 5-star review to receive a gift" or "Leave a review to get 10% off." Google prohibits offering incentives in exchange for reviews, even when you do not require a specific star rating, and may remove reviews submitted through such programs in bulk. More information about what you can and cannot do is available on the page automated review request software.

Send the link via Zalo after the appointment

A QR code at the counter only reaches customers while they are still at your business. Most customers write reviews once they are back home, when they can clearly see the results: their hair has been washed again, their skin has calmed down, or their car is running smoothly. A Zalo message sent a few hours after the appointment, together with a review link, arrives at exactly the right time.

Manually messaging each customer is not sustainable when the business gets busy. If you are using appointment scheduling software, a thank-you message with the link can be sent automatically when an appointment is marked as completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can customers leave a review if they do not have a Google account?

No. Google reviews require a Google account. Most Android users already have one, but not every iPhone user does. For this group, offer a separate feedback channel, such as Zalo.

Does each branch need its own link?

Yes. Each branch has its own Google Business Profile, so the link and QR code must lead to the branch the customer just visited.

Will changing the shop name change the link?

Usually not, because the link is tied to the Business Profile rather than the business name. You should still test the link again after changing the name or moving to a new address.