A Google review takes about a minute and helps the next person decide. Here’s how to leave one on your phone or computer, what you need first, and what makes a review genuinely useful.
Run a business? Make your free Google review link, then send it to customers with this page.
What you need first
- A Google Account. It doesn’t have to be a Gmail address.
- To have actually used the business. Google only allows reviews of genuine experiences.
- A couple of minutes. Text and photos are optional.
On your phone
The steps are the same on Android and iPhone, in the Google Maps app.
- Open Google Maps and search for the business, or tap it on the map.
- Tap the business name or address at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Reviews at the top.
- Tap the stars to choose a rating from one to five.
- Add a few words under Share more about your experience if you like, and answer any optional questions.
- Tap Add photos if you have some, then Post.
You’ll see Posting publicly on the screen, because every Google review is public.
On a computer
- Open Google Maps and sign in to your Google Account.
- Search for the business.
- Scroll down the panel on the left and click Write a review.
- Choose your stars, write your review and add photos if you like.
- Click Post.
If the business has sent you its own review link or QR code, that opens the same review box directly. Button names can vary a little while Google rolls out changes.
What makes a helpful review
- Say what you had done, and when. “Hot water system replaced in March” helps more than “great job”.
- Mention what stood out: turning up on time, the price matching the quote, cleaning up afterwards.
- Be fair about anything that went wrong, and whether it was put right.
- Leave out phone numbers, email addresses and links. Google doesn’t allow them in reviews.
Google's rules for reviewers
Reviews must be about a real experience. Google doesn’t allow paid reviews, reviews in exchange for a discount or freebie, reviews from staff, family or competitors, or posting from more than one account. Reviews that break the rules are removed. Google’s rules for reviews
Changing or deleting your review later
You can edit the text, rating or photos any time from Contribute, then View your profile in the Maps app. The review then shows the date of your last edit. How to delete a review
For business owners: send this page to customers
If you’d like more reviews, make it easy: send customers your direct review link so they land straight on the review box, rather than asking them to search for you. You’re welcome to send them this page if they’ve never left a review before.
Get your link from your Business Profile under Read reviews, then Get more reviews (some profiles show Ask for reviews), or make a link and a printable QR code in seconds with our free Google review link generator.
Ask every customer the same way, not just the happy ones. Google doesn’t allow rewards for reviews, or asking only the customers you expect to be positive, and the ACCC treats hiding genuine bad reviews as potentially misleading. Not sure how many you need? The free Google review calculator works it out. Get Found, A$29 a month ex GST, gives you branded review request emails and QR codes to hand out, and emails you the day each review lands. See Get Found →
Questions about leaving Google reviews
Do I need a Gmail account to leave a Google review?
No. You need a Google Account, but it can use any email address, not just Gmail.
Can I leave a Google review anonymously?
No. Reviews are always public. You can post under a custom display name and picture instead of your account name, but the review is still linked to your Google Account.
Why hasn't my review appeared?
Google checks reviews against its policies, which can take a few days. Reviews that break the rules, such as ones containing links or that look paid for, are removed.
Can I edit a Google review after posting it?
Yes. In the Maps app, tap Contribute, then View your profile, find the review, tap More, then Edit review. On a computer, go to Menu, then Your contributions, then Reviews.
Do I have to write something, or is a star rating enough?
Writing is optional. A few words about what was done helps other customers far more than stars alone.