What you need

  • A Google account. If you use Gmail, YouTube or an Android phone, you already have one.
  • Your name will show. Google reviews are public and can’t be anonymous. Your review appears with the name and photo on your Google profile.

The quickest way: use the business’s review link

If the business sent you a link or you’ve scanned a QR code on their counter or invoice, it opens the review box straight away. Pick your stars, write a few words and tap Post. That’s it.

On your phone (Google Maps app)

  1. Open the Google Maps app and search for the business.
  2. Tap the business to open its page, then tap the Reviews tab.
  3. Tap the empty stars and choose your rating.
  4. Write about your experience. You can add photos and answer the optional questions too.
  5. Tap Post.

The buttons may sit in slightly different places on iPhone and Android, but the steps are the same.

  1. Step 1: in Google Maps, open the business and tap the Reviews tab
  2. Step 2: tap the empty stars under Rate and review
  3. Step 3: choose your stars, write a few words and tap Post
Leaving a review in the Google Maps app. Illustration: buttons can look slightly different on your phone. Scroll to see every step.

On a computer

  1. Go to Google Maps and sign in.
  2. Search for the business and click it.
  3. Click Write a review.
  4. Choose your stars, write your review and add photos if you like.
  5. Click Post.

Google’s own steps are in Write, edit and delete reviews.

What makes a helpful review

  • Say what you had done or bought, and roughly when.
  • Mention the things other customers care about: on time, tidy, fair price, easy to deal with.
  • Name the person who helped you if you remember.
  • Keep it to your own experience. Google removes reviews that are off-topic, abusive or written for a reward.

How to edit or delete your review

  • On a computer: open Google Maps, click the menu, then Your contributions → Reviews. Click More next to the review and choose Edit review or Delete review.
  • In the app: tap Contribute → View your profile → See all reviews, then the three dots next to the review.

An edited review shows the date of your latest edit.

Own a business? Send this page to your customers

Customers who aren’t sure how to leave a review often just don’t. Send them your direct review link with a link to this page, and more of them will follow through.

Get your link, a QR code and a printable counter card from our free review link tool. For more ideas, see how to get more Google reviews.