How to Create a Google Review Link & QR Code (2026 Guide)

Every business wants more Google reviews. But most customers who had a great experience never leave one. Not because they don't want to. Because they don't know how.

Quick Answer: To create a Google review link, open your Google Business Profile and click "Ask for reviews" to get a direct link and QR code. Share this link via text, email, receipts, or business cards to make it easy for customers to leave a review in seconds. Businesses that actively share review links see 2-3x more reviews than those that wait for customers to find them organically.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• How to find and copy your Google review link (takes 60 seconds)
• How to create a QR code that links directly to your review page
• Where to place your review link for maximum results
• Best practices for asking customers without violating Google's policies
• What to do with all those new reviews once they start coming in

How to Get Your Google Review Link

Getting your direct review link takes less than a minute. Google makes this simple.

Method 1: From Google Business Profile (Recommended)

This is the fastest way:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile
2. Click "Ask for reviews" in the top section of your dashboard (or look for the "Get more reviews" card)
3. Copy the link that appears in the popup
4. Download the QR code if you want a scannable version

That's it. The link takes customers directly to a review form pre-loaded with your business, so they only need to tap a star rating and type their feedback.

Method 2: From Google Search

If you're already signed into the Google account connected to your business:

1. Search for your business name on Google
2. Click "Ask for reviews" in the knowledge panel that appears on the right
3. Copy the link from the popup

This method works the same way but skips the step of navigating to the Business Profile dashboard.

Method 3: From Google Maps

1. Open Google Maps and search for your business
2. Click on your business listing
3. Select "Get more reviews" from the options
4. Copy the shared link

All three methods give you the same link. Pick whichever is easiest for you.

How to Create a Google Review QR Code

A QR code is your review link in scannable form. Customers point their phone camera at it, tap the notification, and land on your review page. No typing, no searching, no friction.

Option 1: Use Google's Built-In QR Code

When you click "Ask for reviews" in your Google Business Profile, Google now generates a QR code alongside your link. You can download this directly and print it.

This is the simplest option, but it's a basic black-and-white QR code with no customization.

Option 2: Create a Custom QR Code

For a branded QR code that matches your business style:

1. Copy your Google review link (using the steps above)
2. Go to a free QR code generator like QR Code Generator or QR Code Monkey
3. Paste your review link as the URL
4. Customize the design by adding your logo, changing colors, or adjusting the shape
5. Download in high resolution (PNG or SVG for print quality)

A branded QR code looks more professional and builds more trust than a generic one. If someone sees a random black-and-white QR code, they might hesitate to scan it. A QR code with your logo tells them exactly what to expect.

What Size Should Your QR Code Be?

The minimum scannable size depends on where you're placing it:

Always test your printed QR code before distributing it. Scan it from the same distance a customer would to make sure it works.

Where to Share Your Google Review Link

Having a review link is step one. Sharing it in the right places is what actually generates reviews. Here are the highest-converting placement strategies.

In-Person Touchpoints

These are your best opportunities because the customer just had a direct experience with your business:

• Receipts and invoices - Add a small line: "Enjoyed your experience? Leave us a Google review" with the QR code or a short link
• Checkout counter - Place a small sign or table tent with your QR code where customers pay
• Business cards - Print the QR code on the back of your business card
• Thank-you cards - Include a card with the order that says "Your feedback helps us improve" with the link
• Exit signage - A small sign near the door catches customers while their experience is fresh

Digital Touchpoints

• Email signatures - Add "Leave us a Google review" with your link below your email signature
• Follow-up emails - Send a thank-you email after a service with the review link included
• Text messages - A brief "Thanks for visiting! If you have a moment, we'd love a review: [link]" gets high response rates
• Social media bios - Add your review link to your Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn bio
• Website - Add a "Review Us on Google" button on your homepage or contact page

Physical Materials

• Product packaging - Include a card or sticker with the QR code
• Flyers and brochures - Add the QR code to any printed marketing materials
• Vehicle wraps - If you have service vehicles, add the QR code alongside your contact info
• Uniforms or name badges - Some businesses print a small QR code on employee name tags

Already getting reviews but spending too long responding? Try our free review response generator to draft replies in seconds.

Best Practices for Asking for Reviews

Sharing your review link is encouraged by Google. But there are rules about how you ask. Following them keeps your business safe and your reviews authentic.

What Google Allows

• Asking all customers for honest reviews
• Sharing your review link via any channel
• Reminding customers to leave a review
• Making the review process easier with direct links and QR codes
• Displaying signage that encourages reviews

What Google Prohibits

• Incentivized reviews - Offering discounts, freebies, or rewards in exchange for reviews
• Review gating - Only asking customers who you know are satisfied (for example, using a satisfaction survey to filter who sees the review link)
• Fake reviews - Writing reviews yourself, paying for reviews, or having employees write reviews
• Review solicitation from non-customers - Asking people who never used your service to leave a review

For a deeper dive into what's allowed and what's not, read our guide on Google review policies.

How to Ask Without Being Pushy

The best review requests are simple, genuine, and low-pressure:

Good: "If you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a Google review. Here's the link: [link]"

Good: "Your feedback helps other customers find us. If you'd like to share your experience: [link]"

Too aggressive: "Please leave us a 5-star review! We need more reviews to compete."

Against policy: "Leave a review and get 10% off your next visit!"

Keep it casual. A simple ask with the link does the work. People who want to leave a review will. Those who don't shouldn't feel pressured.

How Many More Reviews Can You Expect?

The impact of actively sharing your review link varies by industry and how consistently you share it. But the data is encouraging.

What the Research Shows

According to BrightLocal, 65% of consumers have written a review for a local business when asked. That's nearly two-thirds of your customers. The gap between businesses with a handful of reviews and businesses with hundreds usually comes down to one thing: whether they asked.

A study by Podium found that businesses using direct review links saw review volume increase by an average of 200% compared to those relying on organic reviews alone.

Here's what a typical timeline looks like for a local business that starts actively sharing their review link:

These numbers assume consistent sharing across 2-3 channels. Businesses that share the link at every customer touchpoint see even higher results.

The SEO Benefit

More reviews don't just build trust with potential customers. They directly impact your local search rankings. Google considers review quantity, recency, and diversity as ranking factors for the local pack (the map results that appear at the top of local searches).

According to Moz's Local Search Ranking Factors, review signals account for approximately 17% of local pack ranking factors. More reviews, combined with consistent responses, signal to Google that your business is active and trusted.

For a detailed look at how reviews affect local SEO, see our guide on reviews and local SEO.

What to Do When the Reviews Start Coming In

Here's what most guides miss: getting more reviews is only half the equation. You also need to respond to them.

89% of consumers say they're more likely to use a business that responds to all reviews. And a Harvard Business Review study found that businesses that start responding to reviews see their average star rating increase by 0.12 stars and receive 12% more reviews overall.

The problem is that as your review volume grows, so does the time required to respond. A business going from 5 reviews per month to 20 reviews per month suddenly needs 2-4 extra hours for response writing.

The Scalable Approach

This is where an email-first review response workflow saves you:

1. New review comes in - your monitoring tool detects it within minutes
2. You get an email - with the review text and an AI-drafted response
3. You approve or edit - right from the email, no login needed
4. The response posts to Google - automatically

With ReplyOnTheFly, responding to 20 reviews takes about 10 minutes instead of 2 hours. The AI generates personalized responses that reference specific details from each review, and you can customize the tone and style to match your brand voice.

For businesses just starting out, the free plan includes unlimited AI-generated drafts, real-time monitoring, and 5 direct posts to Google per month. That's enough for most small businesses.

For a complete guide on managing your reviews efficiently, see our Google review management guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Only Sharing the Link Once

One email blast isn't enough. Make the review link part of your standard workflow. Add it to your post-service process, your email templates, and your printed materials. Consistency matters more than any single campaign.

Ignoring the Responses

Nothing discourages future reviewers like seeing a wall of unanswered reviews. When customers see that past reviewers never got a response, they question whether the business even cares about feedback. Respond to every review, positive and negative, to show potential customers that you're engaged.

Using a Shortened Link That Looks Suspicious

If you shorten your review link, use a reputable shortener or a custom domain. Random-looking shortened URLs make people nervous about clicking, especially older customers who are cautious about phishing.

Asking at the Wrong Time

Don't ask for a review when the customer is frustrated, in a hurry, or mid-service. Wait until the experience is complete and the customer has expressed satisfaction. For service businesses, the sweet spot is right after the job is done and the customer says they're happy with the result.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a Google review link for my business?

Open Google Business Profile, click "Ask for reviews" in the top section, and copy the link provided. This is a direct link that takes customers straight to the review form for your business. You can share this link via email, text message, social media, or embed it on your website. No special tools or technical knowledge required.

How do I make a QR code for Google reviews?

Google now provides a built-in QR code alongside your review link. Go to your Google Business Profile, click "Ask for reviews," and you will see both a shareable link and a downloadable QR code. You can also paste your review link into any free QR code generator like QR Code Generator or QR Code Monkey for more customization options like adding your logo or changing colors.

Is the Google review link free?

Yes, the Google review link is completely free. Google provides it directly through your Google Business Profile at no cost. You can share it unlimited times with as many customers as you want. There are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs associated with the review link or QR code from Google.

Where should I put my Google review QR code?

Place your QR code where customers naturally pause: on receipts, table tents, checkout counters, business cards, invoices, and thank-you cards. Print it on packaging, post it near your entrance or exit, and include it on follow-up emails. The best locations are where customers are already thinking about their experience, like right after completing a service or receiving their order.

Does asking for Google reviews violate Google's policies?

No. Google explicitly allows and encourages businesses to ask customers for reviews. What Google prohibits is offering incentives for reviews (like discounts or gifts), asking only satisfied customers to leave reviews (review gating), and posting fake or misleading reviews. Simply sharing your review link with all customers and asking for honest feedback is perfectly fine.

Conclusion

Creating a Google review link takes 60 seconds. Sharing it consistently is what separates businesses with 10 reviews from businesses with hundreds. The process is free, simple, and directly impacts both customer trust and local search rankings.

Key Takeaways:

• Get your review link from Google Business Profile under "Ask for reviews"
• Create a branded QR code for printed materials
• Share the link at every customer touchpoint, both digital and physical
• Ask all customers for honest reviews without offering incentives
• Respond to every review that comes in to encourage more

The businesses that collect the most reviews aren't lucky. They just make it easy for customers to share their experience. Your review link is the tool that removes the friction.

And when those reviews start rolling in, make sure you're ready to respond quickly. A growing review count with no responses sends the wrong message. Use an AI-powered response tool to keep up without spending hours writing replies.