Every day, millions of people turn to Google to find businesses, check reviews, and make decisions. In fact, over 70% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase or choosing a service. Your Google reviews can be the difference between a customer choosing you—or moving on to your competition. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about having reviews—it’s about having positive reviews.

Getting those glowing reviews isn’t magic. It's a strategy. And it starts with understanding how to leverage the power of Google’s review system. In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to boost your Google reviews, build trust with potential customers, and ultimately increase your business’s visibility and credibility.

How Do Google Reviews Work?

Google reviews allow customers to rate your business and leave comments about their experiences. These reviews appear on your Google Business Profile and can be seen by anyone searching for your business on Google or Google Maps. This makes them a powerful tool for influencing potential customers and improving your online reputation.

How Reviews Impact Your Business

When someone searches for your business, your Google reviews will show up on the right side of the search results or on Google Maps. Positive reviews boost your credibility, which can make your business stand out and attract more customers. The more reviews you have, the more likely you are to appear higher in local search rankings, making your business easier to find.

Are Google Reviews Reliable?

Yes, Google reviews are generally reliable. Many people trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. Google also works hard to filter out fake reviews, using both automated systems and human moderators to ensure that reviews are genuine.

Why You Should Trust Google Reviews

Even though there are occasional fake or spammy reviews, Google’s system is robust enough to remove most of them. The best way to assess a business is by reading multiple reviews to get an overall sense of the experience.

Why Are Google Reviews Important?

Google reviews are important for several reasons:

1. Trust & Credibility: Potential customers trust reviews from other people. Positive reviews help build your business’s reputation and show you care about customer feedback.

2. SEO Ranking: Google rewards businesses with more positive reviews by giving them a higher ranking in local search results.

3. Free Advertising: Every time someone leaves a review, it’s like free marketing for your business. Positive reviews increase your visibility on the world’s most popular search engine.

Who Reviews Google Reviews?

Anyone who has interacted with your business—whether they’ve purchased a product or used your service—can leave a review. This includes happy customers, vendors, and business partners. The key is to encourage them to share their experiences to help others make informed decisions.

Where Are Google Reviews Located?

Google reviews appear in your business's Google Business Profile. You can view and manage these reviews from your Google My Business account. When someone searches for your business, they can see your reviews alongside other information, such as business hours, contact info, and location.

If you have a verified Google Business Profile (do this, it’s super easy), you’ll be able to interact with your reviews, whether by responding to customer feedback or flagging inappropriate reviews.

Can Google Reviews Be Removed?

Google reviews cannot be deleted by the business owner, but you can report reviews that violate Google’s policies. If a review is spammy, contains hate speech, or is irrelevant, you can flag it for removal. However, if a review is critical but genuine, you can’t remove it, but you can respond publicly to address concerns. If you have been in business long enough, you will run into people leaving negative reviews even if they have not interacted with your business. As long as they are irrelevant, you can get them removed!

When Can Google Reviews Be Removed?

A review can be removed if it violates Google’s review policies. For instance, reviews that include offensive language, are irrelevant or contain spammy content are eligible to be flagged. If Google agrees that the review breaks the rules, it will be removed. This is why it's important to maintain a clean and professional online presence. Remember, it is ok to have a few negative reviews! Potential customers understand that there are angry people out there who just want a place to vent. Don’t get too caught up in negative reviews.

How to Get Positive Google Reviews for Your Business

Now that you understand the importance of Google reviews, let’s dive into actionable steps you can take to get more positive reviews from your customers.

1. Ask for Reviews Directly

The best way to get Google reviews is simply to ask. After providing a great service or selling a product, ask your customers if they’d be willing to leave a review. Don’t be shy about it—customers are often willing to help if they’re satisfied with your business.

Here is an example request I have sent to customers:
"We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience with us! If you have a moment, we’d really appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google. It only takes a minute and helps others find us!"

2. Create a Google Review Link Shortcut

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to leave a review. You can create a custom Google review link and share it with them. This eliminates the need for customers to search for your business on Google.

To get your review link:

1. Log into your Google My Business account 

2. Go to the “Home” tab

3. Find the "Get more reviews" card 

4. Click on "Share review form," and you’ll get a link that you can send directly to your customers.

3. Use Your Website to Encourage Reviews

Make sure your website has clear calls to action (CTAs) that encourage customers to leave reviews. You can add a button or link that directs users straight to your Google reviews page.

If you want to go a step further, create a dedicated page on your website that showcases existing reviews and asks for new ones. This shows potential customers that you value feedback and are committed to improving.

4. Respond to Existing Reviews

Engage with your existing customers by responding to their reviews. Whether the review is positive or negative, responding shows that you care about customer feedback and are willing to make improvements. It also encourages other customers to leave their thoughts.

5. Run an Email Campaign for Reviews

Email campaigns are an effective way to reach out to customers and ask for Google reviews. Personalize the emails, make the request simple, and include the review link. Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from happy customers—they’ll be more likely to leave a review if the process is quick and easy.

6. Add Review Links to Your Social Media

Your social media followers are another great source for Google reviews. Post updates or images showcasing your best reviews and invite others to share their thoughts. Include the Google review link in your social media bio or in post captions for easy access.

7. Include Review Requests in Your Email Signature

Every email you send is an opportunity to request a Google review. Add a simple message like, "Happy with our service? Please leave us a review on Google!" in your email signature, along with the review link. I add this to every one of my weekly newsletters I send out to my community!

How to Get Positive Google Reviews

Google reviews are a critical asset for your business. They not only build trust with potential customers but also impact your visibility and ranking on Google. By following the strategies we’ve outlined—from making it easy for customers to leave reviews to responding thoughtfully to both positive and negative feedback—you can create a steady stream of positive Google reviews that boost your reputation.

Remember, getting positive reviews doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistency, clarity, and genuine engagement with your customers. So start today, whether it's by sharing a direct review link or simply asking happy customers to leave feedback. As you build your online reputation, you’ll see how powerful Google reviews can be for attracting new business and ensuring long-term success.

If you're ready to take your digital marketing to the next level, Schulze Creative can help. Book a consultation today and learn how we can help you boost your online presence through Google reviews and other effective strategies.

FAQ: Google Reviews

What is the minimum rating to get a good Google review?

While there's no official minimum rating, a 4.0-star rating or higher is generally considered good by potential customers. However, even a mix of 3-star and 5-star reviews can help paint an honest picture of your business.

How do I respond to negative Google reviews?

When responding to negative reviews, stay professional and polite. Apologize if necessary, and offer a solution or explanation. Address the customer's concerns and let them know you're working on improving.

Can I offer incentives for Google reviews?

No, Google’s policies prohibit businesses from offering incentives in exchange for reviews. The best way to get reviews is by delivering excellent service and kindly asking customers to share their experiences.