By the Third Eye Marketing team · Updated 14 October 2026 · 6 min read
The short answerAsk at the moment guests are happiest, make it one tap with a direct review link, thank and reply to every review, and never offer incentives or write fake reviews. BrightLocal’s 2026 survey found 47% of consumers will not use a business with fewer than 20 reviews and 74% only consider reviews from the last three months.
Why reviews matter more now
Reviews are read by people and by AI. BrightLocal’s 2026 survey found 47% of consumers will not use a business with fewer than 20 reviews, 74% only consider reviews from the last three months and 31% will only use a business rated 4.5 stars or higher. Volume, recency and rating all count.
When to ask
- At the table, after a great moment: dessert arrives, a guest compliments the food, a celebration goes well.
- On the receipt or table card with a QR code to your Google review page.
- After online orders, in the confirmation or a follow-up message.
- After private events and catering, when the host is thrilled.
How to ask
Use your direct review link
In your Google Business Profile, copy the share link for reviews so guests land on the review box in one tap.
Train the team to ask simply
“If you enjoyed it, a Google review would really help us.” Warm, brief, no pressure.
Make it visible
QR cards on tables, a line on the receipt, a link in your email and Instagram bio.
Be consistent
A steady trickle every week beats a burst once a year, because recency counts.
How to reply
Reply to every review within a couple of days. Thank people by name, mention something specific, and invite them back. For a poor review, apologise, stay factual and move the detail offline. Replies are read by future guests more than by the reviewer.
What never to do
- Never offer discounts, free items or entries in exchange for reviews; Google prohibits incentivised reviews.
- Never write or buy fake reviews, or ask staff to review.
- Never gate reviews by only asking happy guests through a filter that blocks unhappy ones.
- Never argue in public replies.
Reviews are one part of the system. See our reputation management service and the Google Business Profile guide.
Sources
- BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, published 11 February 2026 (1,002 US adults).
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