How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Restaurant (And Why It’s the Best Marketing You’re Not Doing)
Your next customer is scrolling Google Maps right now. Learn how to build a Review Flywheel for your restaurant to ensure they choose your table over the competition.
The Numbers That Should Keep Every Restaurant Owner Up at Night
Let’s skip the fluff: reviews aren’t a "nice-to-have" anymore. They are the single biggest factor standing between you and the customers searching for a place to eat right now.
Consider this: 97% of consumers read reviews before choosing a local business. Nearly half—47%—won’t even consider a business with fewer than 20 reviews. And here’s the real gut punch: 74% of people only care about reviews from the last three months. That stellar review from 2023? It might as well not exist.
Meanwhile, 76% of people who search for something "nearby" on their phone visit a business within a day. The opportunity is enormous—but only if you’re showing up with fresh, frequent, convincing reviews.
Why Most Restaurants Struggle With Reviews
You could be serving incredible food, but your review count barely moves. Most restaurants make three critical mistakes:
- They don’t ask: Assuming people will do it on their own is a losing game.
- They ask at the wrong time: A generic email two days later is easily ignored.
- They make it too hard: Every extra step a customer has to take is a drop-off point.
7 Proven Strategies to Get More Google Reviews
1. Create a Direct Review Link
Google lets you generate a short link that takes customers straight to the review form. Put this link in your email signatures, on your receipts, and in your text messages.
2. Use QR Codes in Your Restaurant
A QR code on the table or check presenter lets diners leave a review while they’re still in your restaurant, capturing them at the "peak" of their experience.
3. Ask at the Right Moment
Train your staff to recognize great moments—when a customer compliments the food or a regular returns. A simple, genuine ask works wonders.
4. Follow Up With SMS or Email
For customers in your loyalty program, a short follow-up within hours is highly effective. "Hi [Name], thanks for dining! If you enjoyed it, we’d love a quick review: [Link]"
5. Respond to Every Review
Businesses that respond to reviews see up to 41% more engagement. It builds trust with both the reviewer and future customers.
6. Learn From Your Feedback
Reviews are free customer research. Track keywords and patterns to double down on what’s working and fix what’s not.
7. Build a Review Flywheel
More reviews lead to better visibility, which brings more customers, which leads to more reviews. This is a repeatable system, not a one-time campaign.
What Not to Do: Staying on Google’s Good Side
Avoid these pitfalls that can get your profile penalized:
- Don’t offer incentives: No "review for a discount" offers—it violates Google’s terms.
- Don’t "gate" reviews: Don’t only send happy customers to Google; everyone should have the same path.
- Don’t buy fake reviews: Google’s AI detection is getting better every month.
The AI Factor
AI-powered tools like ChatGPT draw on review data to make recommendations. Strong, detailed reviews help you show up wherever your next customer is looking, including AI discovery channels.
Start Simple, Start Today
- This week: Generate your direct link and create a QR code.
- Next week: Draft an SMS/Email template for follow-ups.
- Ongoing: Respond to every new review within 24-48 hours.
Want to make this effortless? StarFlywheel helps restaurants build this flywheel with QR codes and automated templates starting at just $9/month.
Ready to grow your reviews?
Start building your review flywheel today. Free plan available, no credit card required.
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