14 review request templates for service businesses (that follow Google's rules)

Every template below follows three rules. First, everyone gets asked: Google's contribution policy bans asking for reviews only from customers likely to praise you, and the FTC's reviews rule guidance says review gating could violate the FTC Act. Second, nothing is offered in return and nothing is scripted: Google's policy forbids incentives for reviews (it names payment, discounts, free goods and free services) and tells businesses not to request specific content. Third, the customer agreed to texts when they booked, and a STOP reply ends them. Consent rules for texts depend on the kind of message and can vary by state; our SMS rules guide covers the basics, and nothing on this page is legal advice. Replace the bracketed parts, and copy your review link or QR code out of the Business Profile dashboard, as Google's reviews help page suggests. Our free Google review link tool can turn that link into a QR code for a printed card. For the reasoning behind all of this, read how to get more Google reviews.

1. Same-day text after a one-off job

The workhorse. Send it within a few hours of the job being marked complete, while the result is fresh. Keep it within 160 characters so it arrives as a single message.

Hi [first name], it's [your name] at Example Gutter Co. Thanks for today. Would you review us on Google? [link] Reply STOP to opt out

Why it works: a name the customer just met, a thank-you, one question and one link. Count the characters with the real names and the real link pasted in, because the review link alone uses a big share of the limit and long company names push it over. A short redirect on your own domain saves room and, unlike a third-party shortener, stays under your control; to get the link itself, see how to create a Google review link. Twilio's guide to SMS length explains that one plain message holds 160 characters, and that an emoji or a curly smart quotation mark switches the encoding and drops the limit to 70.

2. Next-morning email

Email suits customers who booked online, commercial clients, and anyone who didn't give you permission to text. It can be a little longer and can show the link as a button.

Subject: How did yesterday's [service] go?
Hi [first name],
Thanks again for choosing Example Exteriors for your [service] yesterday. If you have two minutes, a Google review tells your neighbors what it's like to work with us: [link]
And if anything isn't right, reply to this email and I'll get it sorted.
[Your name], Example Exteriors, (555) 010-2214

Why it works: the subject line asks about their job, not your review count, and the reply line gives a direct route for problems without steering anyone away from Google. If you add a promotion or offer to this email, read the FTC's CAN-SPAM compliance guide: commercial email has to show your business's valid postal address plus an opt-out that works.

3. Recurring customer after the third visit

Weekly and monthly customers can't judge you on one visit. Wait until they've seen a pattern, then ask once. Don't repeat the request every month.

Hi [first name], [tech] at Example Lawn Co. After 3 visits, would you rate us on Google? [link] Reply STOP to opt out

How to automate it: trigger the request on the customer's third completed visit, and mark the record so it never fires again for that customer.

4. Large project: the in-person ask at the walkthrough

On a roof, a remodel or a full exterior repaint, the owner or project lead should ask face to face at the final walkthrough, then send the link that evening. Don't hand over a tablet and wait. Google's policy says businesses shouldn't require or pressure customers to leave reviews while on the premises, and standing in someone's kitchen while they type puts the same pressure on them.

"We're glad you're happy with how it came out. Tonight I'll text you a link to leave a Google review. If you have a minute this week, it would mean a lot to the crew."

Then send:

Hi [first name], [your name] at Example Roofing. Here's the review link I mentioned: [link] Thanks for trusting us with your roof.

5. The one follow-up

If there's no review after three or four days, one gentle reminder is fine. After that, stop. Repeated nudges feel like pressure and can prompt a STOP reply. On Twilio, for example, a STOP reply puts the number on a blocked list by default, so later texts from your account to that customer fail, appointment reminders included, until they text START.

Hi [first name], one last reminder from Example Pressure Washing. Here's our Google review link: [link] Reply STOP to opt out

Rule: the follow-up goes to everyone who hasn't reviewed, not only to the customers you expect to be positive. That keeps the process the same for every customer.

6. Request that names the technician

Customers remember the person in their kitchen or on their roof, not the company logo. Using the tech's name makes the message feel personal, and customers who remember the tech may name them in the review on their own, which helps future customers know who's coming.

Hi [first name], thanks for having [tech] out today. Review the visit on Google? [link] Example Plumbing. Reply STOP to opt out

Tip: pull the tech's name from the job record automatically. If two techs worked the job, use the lead's name only, so the message stays short.

7. After you fixed a problem on the job

When something went wrong and you made it right, you still ask, with the same message you'd send anyone else. Skipping these customers is selective solicitation. Some of them leave thoughtful reviews precisely because you fixed it.

Hi [first name], thanks for your patience on the [area] redo. Review us on Google? [link] Example Painting. Reply STOP to opt out

Don't: ask them to update an older negative review in exchange for the fix. Google bans incentives for revising or removing a negative review, and the FTC's rule bars unfounded legal threats, physical threats, intimidation, and knowingly or recklessly false accusations used to get a negative review taken down.

8. Commercial client or property manager

Property managers and business owners read differently. Keep it professional, by email, and mention the property so they know which job you mean.

Subject: [Property name]: service completed
Hi [first name],
Our crew finished the [service] at [property] today. Photos and the invoice are in your portal. If you're open to it, a short Google review about working with us helps other managers vet vendors: [link]
Thank you,
[Your name], Example Commercial Cleaning

Note: some companies don't allow staff to post reviews of vendors. Respect it if they say so.

9. Leave-behind card at the job

For customers who weren't home, a printed card on the door handle or with the paperwork carries a QR code to your review form. Print the same wording for every job.

Thanks for choosing Example Window Cleaning. Your windows were cleaned today by [tech]. Questions? Call or text (555) 010-4471. Happy with the work, or not? Tell your neighbors on Google: scan the code below.

Why "or not": it signals you want honest feedback from everyone, which matches Google's rules and makes the reviews you get more believable.

10. Invoice and receipt footer

Every paid invoice is a chance to ask without sending another message. A one-line footer on invoices and payment receipts costs nothing and reaches every customer.

Thank you for your business. If you have a minute, we'd value a Google review of your experience: [link]

Tip: put it on the payment receipt rather than the unpaid invoice, so the ask comes after the transaction is finished.

11. Email signature line for the office

Your office sends scheduling and billing emails all week. A quiet line in the signature reaches customers you'd never send a dedicated request to.

[Name] | Office Manager, Example Pest Control | (555) 010-3390
Worked with us recently? Share your experience on Google: [link]

Note: this is passive and catches long-time customers who were never asked. It doesn't replace the after-job request.

12. A request in the customer's language

If your crew serves Spanish-speaking customers, send the request in the language you've been using with them. Have a fluent speaker on your team check the wording before it goes into your system.

Hola [nombre], soy [your name] de Example Landscaping. Gracias. Una reseña en Google nos ayuda: [link] Responda STOP para cancelar

Watch the characters: according to Twilio's GSM-7 character chart, the standard SMS set includes ñ and é but not á, í, ó or ú, and a single character outside the set switches the whole message to the encoding with the 70-character limit. This template avoids those letters on purpose. Send yourself a test before switching it on.

13. Your reply to a positive review

A reply finishes the loop. Thank the person by first name and mention one detail from their job. Google's reviews help page encourages replies that show customers their feedback matters.

Thanks, [first name]. Glad the new downspout extensions are keeping the water away from the foundation. We'll see you for the fall cleaning. - [Your name]

Keep it short: two sentences. Skip keyword stuffing ("best gutter cleaning in [town]"); readers notice.

14. Your reply to a critical review

Reply once, within a couple of days, and write it for the next customer reading. Don't argue line by line, share private details, or mention money the customer owes.

[First name], I'm sorry the cleanup didn't meet the standard you expected. That's not how we want any job to end. I'd like to make it right; please call me directly at (555) 010-2214. - [Your name], Owner

If it breaks policy: Google's policy covers reviews that don't reflect a genuine experience with your business, such as one clearly meant for another company. Report a review like that through your Business Profile instead of debating it in public; our guide on reporting fake Google reviews walks through the steps.

Where to start

Don't roll out all fourteen at once. Start with these three:

1. Template 1, the same-day text. Set it to send automatically when every job is marked complete.
2. Template 5, the single follow-up. Schedule it four days later, only for customers who haven't reviewed.
3. Template 13, replies. Block ten minutes a week to answer every new review.

If your software can't trigger requests from job status, our email and SMS service sets up the sends, and the Business Profile mistakes list covers the profile those reviews land on.

Frequently asked questions