How to leave a Google review?

by Emily Carter | Feb 9, 2026

To leave a Google review for a company, you need to be logged into a Google account. Google does not allow anonymous or guest reviews. You can leave a review either through Google Search or Google Maps. Search for the company name, open the business profile, scroll to the reviews section, and select the option to write a review. After choosing a star rating, you can add written feedback and submit it.

Google Maps for Google Review

Once posted, the review usually appears publicly within a short time unless it is temporarily held for moderation.

How do I post a Google review?

Posting a Google review follows the same process as leaving one, but users often ask this to confirm that their review is successfully published.

To ensure your review posts correctly:

  • Make sure you are logged into your Google account
  • Write based on a real experience
  • Avoid links, promotional language, or repeated submissions

Google’s systems may delay or filter reviews that appear spam-like or incomplete.

How do I write a Google review?

A well-written Google review is clear, specific, and based on personal experience.

A practical structure includes:

  • A brief summary of your experience
  • One or two concrete details
  • A short concluding statement

For example:
“I visited this business for the first time and found the service efficient and professional. The staff answered my questions clearly and the process was smooth.”

Reviews written this way are more useful to other users and more likely to be trusted by Google.

How do I leave a Google review as a guest?

You cannot leave a Google review as a guest. A Google account is required in all cases.This requirement often causes friction, especially for customers who are willing to leave feedback but are not signed in at the moment. Many reviews are lost simply because users do not know where to start or realize they must log in first.

Businesses that understand this friction typically guide customers directly to the correct review page rather than relying on verbal instructions.

Where do I leave a Google review?

Google reviews can be left in two places:

  • Google Search
  • Google Maps

Both options lead to the same business profile and affect the same public rating. The only difference is how users reach the profile.

Where do I find the “leave a review” button on Google?

The option to write a review appears within the business profile, usually under the star rating section.On desktop, it is typically visible on the right-hand side of the search results. On mobile devices, users may need to scroll down within the business profile to locate it.

Because this button is not always obvious, many users fail to complete the process without assistance.

How do I leave a Google review for a business on iPhone?

On an iPhone, reviews can be left through the Google Maps app or a mobile browser.

The steps are:

  1. Open Google Maps or Safari
  2. Search for the business name
  3. Open the business profile
  4. Scroll to the reviews section
  5. Select a star rating
  6. Write and submit your review

Mobile users are more sensitive to friction, which makes direct review links or QR-based access especially effective.

How do I know if I need a Google account to leave a review?

A Google account is always required to leave a review.Without an account, users cannot rate businesses, write feedback, or edit existing reviews. This applies to all devices and locations.

From a business perspective, this means the review process should be as simple and guided as possible to avoid losing willing reviewers.

How do I leave a good Google review?

A good Google review is honest, descriptive, and written in natural language.It should reflect a real experience and avoid exaggerated or generic phrases. Reviews that mention specific aspects of the service or product are more helpful to other users and tend to carry more credibility.

Google’s systems are also more likely to surface reviews that appear authentic and informative.

How do I get Google reviews for my own business?

Getting Google reviews consistently requires a process, not just occasional reminders.

Successful businesses focus on three principles:

  • Asking at the right moment
  • Making the process simple
  • Removing confusion for the customer

Most customers are willing to leave a review if the effort required is minimal.

How do I ask customers for Google reviews correctly?

The best time to ask is immediately after a positive interaction, such as after payment or service completion.

Google allows businesses to request reviews as long as:

  • No incentives are offered
  • Customers are not pressured
  • All customers are treated equally

Clear guidance matters more than persuasion.

How do QR codes help customers leave Google reviews?

QR codes eliminate the need for customers to search, type, or navigate on their own.When scanned, a QR code can take the user directly to the correct Google review page, significantly increasing completion rates. This is especially effective for first-time visitors and walk-in customers.

How does Reviewance fit into the Google review process?

Reviewance is a printed-QR-based review and feedback system designed to simplify how customers leave Google reviews.

Instead of explaining the steps verbally, businesses provide a physical or digital QR system. When scanned, customers are guided directly to the appropriate review flow, reducing confusion and drop-off.The system focuses on accessibility and clarity rather than influencing review content, which keeps it aligned with Google’s policies.

How many Google reviews does a business need?

There is no fixed number, but patterns show that:

  • Initial trust forms after 20 to 30 reviews
  • Conversion rates improve significantly beyond 50 reviews
  • Recent and consistent reviews matter more than total volume

Ongoing review collection is more effective than one-time campaigns.

Why Most Happy Customers Never Leave a Google Review

Most customers who walk out of your business satisfied genuinely intend to leave a positive Google review. The problem is not motivation; it’s interruption. The moment they leave your space, real life takes over—traffic, messages, kids, meetings, fatigue. The intention to review gets quietly postponed, and postponed intentions almost never come back. For small business owners, this creates a frustrating gap between actual customer satisfaction and online reputation.

Another overlooked reason is cognitive effort. Even tech-savvy customers often don’t remember the exact steps required to leave a review. Searching for the business name, selecting the right location, logging into an account—each additional step increases the likelihood of abandonment. Customers rarely articulate this as a complaint; they simply move on. From their perspective, nothing went wrong. From the business perspective, a valuable review opportunity was lost.

There is also a psychological factor at play: customers don’t want to feel like they are doing “work” after a pleasant experience. If leaving a review feels like an obligation rather than a natural continuation of the visit, they subconsciously resist it. Understanding this mindset is crucial. The absence of reviews does not mean indifference—it usually means friction, forgetfulness, or poor timing.

Helping Customers Leave Reviews at the Right Moment

The most effective time for a customer to leave a review is not hours later or the next day—it’s the moment when satisfaction is still emotionally present. This moment varies by business, but it is always observable. It might be right after a compliment is given, after a smooth checkout, or when a customer lingers instead of rushing out. SMB owners who pay attention to these signals gain a significant advantage.

Helping customers at the right moment does not mean verbally pressuring them. In fact, direct verbal requests often feel awkward and can backfire. Instead, the goal is to make the option visible exactly when the customer is most receptive. When the review opportunity appears naturally—without urgency or insistence—it feels like an invitation rather than a request.

The key is alignment between emotion and action. When customers feel good and see a simple, immediate way to share that feeling, they are far more likely to follow through. This approach respects the customer’s autonomy while still guiding behavior. Over time, this consistency turns positive experiences into consistent, high-quality Google reviews—without chasing, reminders, or discomfort.

How should businesses think about Google reviews long term?

Google reviews are a core component of online credibility and local search visibility.For users, clear instructions remove uncertainty. For businesses, a structured and repeatable review process determines whether satisfied customers actually leave feedback.

Tools and systems that reduce friction, such as direct links or QR-based solutions, function as infrastructure rather than marketing tactics.

This is how you get reviews easily with Reviewance smart QR codes.