# Write a Google review: how to do it on your phone or computer | Fokuus [Home](https://fokuus.be/en/) [Blog](https://fokuus.be/en/blog/) Write a Google review: how to do it on your phone or computer # Write a Google review: how to do it on your phone or computer How to write a Google review on your phone, your computer or via the business's link. Plus for business owners: how to ask for reviews without breaking the rules. [Anton Pycarelle](https://fokuus.be/en/about/) 25 September 20268 min read time ## In this article - [What you need](https://fokuus.be/#wat-je-nodig-hebt) - [Give a Google review on your phone](https://fokuus.be/#een-google-review-geven-op-je-gsm) - [Write a review on a computer](https://fokuus.be/#een-review-schrijven-op-de-computer) - [Via the business's link or QR code](https://fokuus.be/#via-de-link-of-qr-code-van-de-zaak) - [What you write and how to adjust it later](https://fokuus.be/#wat-je-schrijft-en-hoe-je-het-later-aanpast) - [For the business owner: ask every customer](https://fokuus.be/#voor-de-ondernemer-vraag-het-elke-klant) - [What Google forbids, even if it sounds harmless](https://fokuus.be/#wat-google-verbiedt-ook-als-het-onschuldig-klinkt) - [About those "Google review cards"](https://fokuus.be/#over-die-google-review-cards) - [Reply to reviews](https://fokuus.be/#reviews-beantwoorden) - [How to see if it worked](https://fokuus.be/#zo-zie-je-of-het-gelukt-is) Did a business ask you for a Google review or give you a link? Here's how to do it on your phone, on your computer or via that link. If you're a business owner yourself, feel free to pass this page on to your customers: the section from 'For the business owner' is for you. ## What you need You write a review of a business with a Google account: in Google Maps on your phone or computer, or via the review link the business sends you. That account doesn't need to have [a Gmail address.](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122?hl=nl) You can't review completely anonymously: your review is public and tied to your Google account. Your real name doesn't have to be in it. In the Maps app, tap Contribute, View your profile and Edit profile, and check "Use a custom display name & picture for posting" ([Google's explanation](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9320433?hl=nl&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid) ). Giving just stars is fine, but a few words tell the next customer much more. ## Give a Google review on your phone You give a Google review by finding the business in Google Maps, tapping Reviews and choosing your stars. That's how it works in the app, on Android and iPhone ([Google Maps help page](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6230175?hl=nl&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid) ): - Open the Google Maps app and find the business. If you get multiple locations, tap the right one. - Tap the name or address of the business at the bottom. - Tap at the top on Reviews. - Tap the five empty stars and pick your score. - Type your text under "Tell us more about what you think" and post your review. Sometimes Google asks a few extra questions, for example with a service provider [which service you received](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474050?hl=nl) . If you're stuck, update the Maps app first: according to Google, [older phones or software](https://support.google.com/business/answer/10313341?hl=nl) sometimes have issues. ## Write a review on a computer On a computer it works via Google Maps in your browser ([computer version](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6230175?hl=nl&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop) ): - Log in to Google Maps with your Google account. - Find the business. - Scroll down on the left side and click Write a review. - Click the stars and write your text if you like. You can also reach the reviews via a regular Google search, but Google only describes the steps for Maps. Three ways to the same review. ## Via the business's link or QR code If you got a link or QR code, you've got the shortest route: a business creates that in their Business Profile [to ask for reviews](https://support.google.com/business/answer/16816815?hl=nl) . Tap the link or point your phone's camera at the code, log in if Google asks and pick your stars. You don't need to search between businesses with similar names. ## What you write and how to adjust it later Google itself provides [a few writing tips](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10357321?hl=nl) . Write about your own experience and be specific: what did it get done, how did it go, what should the next customer expect? Feel free to mention what didn't go so well either; Google generally sees a paragraph as about right. No phone numbers or links to other businesses, and no reviews of a place where you work or worked. Photos are fine if they add something, so pictures of the place itself, not selfies. You can add a photo later on a computer via the option [Add photo](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7445749?hl=nl) next to your review. Changed your mind? On a computer, click in Google Maps on Menu, My contributions and Reviews, then click More next to your review, and select Edit review or Delete review. In the app, tap Contribute, View your profile, All your reviews and then More. An edited review shows the date it was last modified. Google shifts buttons around sometimes, and its own help pages don't always use the same names. If you see something different from here (checked on 25 September 2026), follow the Google Maps help page that goes with the steps above. ## For the business owner: ask every customer From here on, the text is for those who run their own business. If you search Google for example for [web design in Kortrijk](https://fokuus.be/en/webdesign-kortrijk/) , then Google's local map pack appears at the top, and Search and Maps display the [review score and number of reviews](https://support.google.com/business/answer/4801187?hl=nl) . So your reviews are right out there in plain sight. You'll find your Google review link in your Business Profile: select Read reviews and then Get more reviews, and copy the link. For now, you can only create the QR code in a computer browser. Don't have a profile yet, or is it incomplete? Start at [set up and optimize your Google Business Profile](https://fokuus.be/en/blog/google-bedrijfsprofiel-aanmaken/) . On our own [reference page](https://fokuus.be/en/cases/) there are fifteen Google reviews. Eleven of those came in between 6 and 21 February 2025; the next one wasn't until September 2025. So reviews don't automatically come in evenly. That's why the question belongs in the standard wrap-up of every job, and then with every customer, not just those you expect five stars from. Google literally forbids merchants: "[Discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers.](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=nl) " Always send the link yourself, not 'just find us on Google': just like with a [contact form](https://fokuus.be/en/blog/contact-formulier-meer-leads/) every extra step costs you people. Something like this is enough: Hi [first name], great that [the project] is wrapped up. Would you mind telling us in a few lines on Google how you experienced it? This link takes you straight to the right place: [review link]. If it doesn't work, here's how to do it step by step: [link to this page]. There's deliberately no 'five stars' in it, and no words you'd like to see in the review or a discount. ## What Google forbids, even if it sounds harmless The policy that quote comes from is specific about what else is not allowed. A discount, a free product or money in exchange for a review is forbidden, as is a reward to have a negative review adjusted or removed. In its [tips to get more reviews](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122?hl=nl) Google calls that fake engagement and "strictly prohibited". Furthermore, merchants cannot "require or pressure users to leave ratings or write reviews while on the premises," and: "They also must not request that specific content be included." A request like "mention our service and our municipality?" falls under that in my view. Reviews that stem from conflicts of interest are equally not allowed; Google gives current or former staff, a contractual or advisory relationship, family and competitors as examples. Google's review policy, summarized on 25 September 2026. Google deletes reviews that violate the policy, and they don't come back. With fake reviews or reviews for which a reward was given, Google can also [prevent your profile from receiving new reviews for a while](https://support.google.com/business/answer/14114287?hl=nl) , take down existing reviews temporarily, or show a message that fake reviews have been removed. ## About those "Google review cards" Anyone searching 'google reviews card' mostly finds cards and stands with an NFC chip or QR code that lead to your reviews, sold by companies other than Google. For most businesses I think that's unnecessary. You get the link and QR code free from your profile, and Google itself recommends printing the QR code and showing it in your business, or putting the link on your receipts and in your thank-you emails. The only difference is that your customer can hold his phone against the card instead of scanning; at a busy checkout that might be a bit faster. It doesn't change the rules. A card on the counter is fine, but having the customer wait at the till until he's tapped is close to the pressure to review on the spot that the policy forbids. ## Reply to reviews You can only reply once your Business Profile is verified. Choose in your profile Read reviews, click Reply next to the review, type your reply and select Submit. Google also reviews replies: this usually takes around 10 minutes, but can take up to 30 days. The reviewer gets a notification and your response appears publicly below their review. According to Google, you don't need to publicly thank every reviewer, and it's best to keep a reply brief, signed with your name or initials. We still recommend replying briefly to every review. With a negative review: stick to the facts, admit what went wrong, don't share private data and invite the reviewer to resolve it directly. If a review violates the policy, report it. You can't delete it yourself. ## How to see if it worked A new review doesn't always show up right away: Google checks reviews first, and that can take a few days. Your average score can lag up to two weeks. If you don't see anything after a week, ask the customer if they can find their review in their own contributions in Google Maps. If not, something went wrong and you can feel free to send the link again. Google reviews Google Business Profile Local visibility Lead generation Share [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffokuus.be%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fgoogle-review-schrijven%2F) [DotsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Google%20review%20schrijven%3A%20zo%20doe%20je%20het%20op%20gsm%20of%20computer%20https%3A%2F%2Ffokuus.be%2Fblog%2Fgoogle-review-schrijven%2F) [Email](mailto:?subject=Google%20review%20schrijven%3A%20zo%20doe%20je%20het%20op%20gsm%20of%20computer&body=https%3A%2F%2Ffokuus.be%2Fblog%2Fgoogle-review-schrijven%2F) ## Get Fokuus updates. New articles and Fokuus's updates in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time. ## Anton Pycarelle Founder of Fokuus Anton builds and optimizes websites for Belgian SMEs from Kortrijk. He writes about choices and experiences from real projects. [More about Fokuus](https://fokuus.be/en/about/) ## Keep reading. [All articles](https://fokuus.be/en/blog/) Conversion & Leads · 4 min read time ### Improve your contact form and generate better leads Fewer fields, better qualification and honest measurement: improve both the quantity and quality of leads from your contact form, based on what we use and measure at Fokuus. 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