How to ask for reviews: 25 email and text templates
The short answer
A good review request is short, names the customer, says thanks and gives one direct link to your Google review box. Send it soon after the job, by text for speed or email for detail. Send the same request to every customer, and never offer a reward for the review.
By Reputant · Updated 2026-10-30 · 10 min read
How do I use these review request templates?
Copy one, swap the three placeholders and send it. {name} is the customer's first name, {business} is your business name and {link} is your direct Google review link. If you do not have the link yet, the free tool in our guide on how to get more Google reviews makes it in a few seconds.
Pick the section that matches the moment you are sending. The wording changes a little between a plumber who just left the house and an accountant who delivered a tax return last month.
Three rules apply to every template. Send the same request to every customer, not only the ones who seem happy. Do not offer a discount, gift or prize for a review. Do not tell people what to write. The reasoning is in our guide to who to ask and what Google allows.
Texts should stay short. Most of the texts below are under 160 characters before the link, so they read in one glance. Emails can be longer, but the best ones are still five lines or less.
Do I need permission before sending a review request?
In the US, a text or email to someone who just bought from you is common practice, but it is smart to tell customers at the time of sale that you may message them, and to honor any request to stop. Texts to a mobile number have their own consumer-protection rules, so check what applies to you.
In Canada, the anti-spam law, CASL, asks you to get permission before sending commercial electronic messages. The government's page on Canada's anti-spam legislation explains the consent rule. Whether a review request counts as a commercial message depends on how it is worded and your situation, so keep a record of when and how each customer agreed to hear from you. A good habit anywhere is to name your business in every message and make it easy to opt out.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure, ask a lawyer.
What do I send right after a job is done?
This is the best moment to ask. The work is fresh, the customer is pleased to have the problem solved, and they are probably holding their phone. Send within a few hours.
1. Text, same day (trades)
Hi {name}, thanks for choosing {business} today. Would you leave us a quick Google review? {link}
2. Text, with the technician's name
Hi {name}, it was good working with you today. If we did well, a quick Google review would mean a lot to us: {link}
3. Email, after the invoice is paid
Subject: Thank you, {name} Hi {name}, Thanks for your payment and for trusting {business} with the job. If you were happy with the work, would you share a short review on Google? It takes about a minute. {link} Thank you, {business}
4. Email, for a bigger project
Subject: Your project is finished Hi {name}, It was a pleasure to work on your project. When you have a moment, a Google review about your experience helps neighbors who are choosing a company for similar work. {link} We are glad you picked {business}.
What do I send after an appointment?
For dentists, clinics, salons and vets, wait until the customer has left and the visit is behind them. Keep the wording about the service, never about their health details or treatment, because a reply on a public review should not reveal private information.
5. Text, a few hours after
Hi {name}, thanks for visiting {business} today. A quick Google review helps others find us: {link}
6. Text, for a salon or barber
Hi {name}, hope you love the new look! A quick Google review would help us a lot: {link}
7. Email, next morning
Subject: Thanks for visiting {business} Hi {name}, Thank you for coming in yesterday. If you have a minute, would you leave a short Google review about your visit? It helps other people decide where to go. {link} Thank you, The team at {business}
8. Text, for a vet or pet service
Hi {name}, thanks for bringing your pet to {business}. A quick Google review helps other pet owners: {link}
What do I send after a case, filing or project?
Lawyers, accountants, consultants and designers have longer jobs, so ask when the work is delivered or the matter is closed, not in the middle. An email suits this better than a text, though a short text works for clients who prefer it. A closed Clio matter is a natural moment, and a paid QuickBooks invoice works for accountants and consultants.
9. Email, matter closed
Subject: Your matter is now closed Hi {name}, Your matter with {business} is now complete. Thank you for the trust you placed in us. If you feel we served you well, a short Google review would help others who are looking for the same kind of help. {link} Please do not include confidential details in your review. Sincerely, {business}
10. Email, work delivered
Subject: Thank you, {name} Hi {name}, Now that your work is delivered, I wanted to say thank you. If you have a minute, would you share your experience with {business} in a Google review? {link} Best, {business}
11. Email, after tax season
Subject: A small favor, {name} Hi {name}, Thanks for letting {business} prepare your return this year. A short Google review helps other people find an accountant they can trust. {link} Thank you, {business}
12. Text, for clients who prefer it
Hi {name}, thank you for working with {business}. A short Google review would be much appreciated: {link}
What do I send after a meal or a purchase?
Restaurants and shops can ask the next day, once the customer has had time to enjoy the meal or the product. A receipt or bag card with a QR code works too. See our guide to the Google review QR code for where to put one.
13. Text, the next morning (restaurant)
Hi {name}, thanks for dining at {business} last night. A quick Google review helps us a lot: {link}
14. Email, online order
Subject: How is your order? Hi {name}, Your order from {business} should have arrived by now. If you are enjoying it, would you leave a short Google review? It helps other shoppers. {link} Thank you, {business}
15. Text, in store
Thanks for shopping at {business}, {name}! A quick Google review helps us: {link}
16. Email, after a catering or event order
Subject: How did the event go? Hi {name}, We hope your event went well. If you were pleased with the food and service, a Google review from you would help other people planning their own. {link} Thank you for choosing {business}.
What do I send when they have not replied?
Most people who skip the first request were not saying no. They were busy. Send one reminder, about three to five days later, and then stop. Do not send it to people who already left a review, and do not make the reminder sound annoyed.
17. Text, gentle reminder
Hi {name}, a quick reminder in case you missed it. A Google review would help {business} a lot: {link}
18. Email, reminder with a different angle
Subject: One last thing Hi {name}, I know things get busy, so this is the last time I will ask. If you have a minute, a short Google review about your experience with {business} would help us a great deal. {link} Either way, thank you for your business.
19. Text, after an in person ask
Hi {name}, as we discussed, here is the link to review {business} on Google: {link}. Thank you!
20. Text, short and warm
{name}, thank you again from all of us at {business}. Here is that review link if you have a minute: {link}
What about old customers, repeat customers and complaints?
A few moments need their own wording. For an old customer list, be honest about the gap. For someone who had a problem you solved, thank them for giving you the chance. And never skip a customer because they complained. Asking only the happy ones is review gating, which Google does not allow. Send them the same request you send everyone else.
21. Email, past customers
Subject: Thank you for being a customer Hi {name}, It has been a while since we worked together, and I would love to hear how things turned out. If you have a minute, would you share your experience with {business} in a Google review? {link} Thank you, {business}
22. Text, repeat customer
Hi {name}, thanks for coming back to {business}. If you have not reviewed us yet, we would appreciate it: {link}
23. Email, after fixing a problem
Subject: Thank you for your patience Hi {name}, Thank you for telling us about the problem and for giving {business} the chance to put it right. Whatever your experience was, we would value an honest Google review. {link} Thank you, {business}
24. Text, after a referral
Hi {name}, thanks for recommending {business}. If you have a minute, an honest Google review would help others find us: {link}
25. Email, for your signature or invoice
If we served you well, we would be grateful for an honest review: {link} Thank you, {business}
When the reviews start arriving, the next job is answering them. See how to respond to positive reviews and respond to negative reviews.
What makes a review request work better?
Four things matter more than clever wording. The first is a direct link, so the customer lands on your review box and not on a search page. The second is speed, since the best moment is when the job is fresh. The third is length: shorter beats longer, especially by text. The fourth is sending it to everyone.
Tracking helps you improve. If you can see how many people opened a message and how many tapped the link, you know whether to change the subject line, the timing or the channel. Reputant shows opens and clicks for each run.
Do not copy the examples word for word if you can help it. A message in your own voice, using the way you actually talk to customers, comes across as more sincere than a stock template.