Are Google reviews reliable?

Mostly, yes. Google filters reviews with automated systems and human checks, and removes those that break its rules. Some fake reviews still get through: be wary of a burst of 5-star reviews posted on the same day, vague texts and profiles that have left only one review. In the EU, the UK and the US, posting or buying fake reviews is against consumer protection law.

How do I leave a review on Google?

Search for the business on Google or Google Maps, open its listing, then "Reviews" and "Write a review". Choose a rating from 1 to 5 stars, add a text and photos if you like, then post it. You need to be signed in to a Google account, but not necessarily with a Gmail address.

How do I reply to a negative Google review?

Reply quickly and calmly, in the business's name. Thank the customer for the feedback, apologize for the disappointment without starting a debate, then offer to continue by phone or email to sort out the problem. Never write any information about the customer or their order. If the review is fake or breaks Google's rules, reply briefly, then report it.

Where do I find the link to leave a Google review?

On the business's Google listing, signed in to the account that manages it: the "Ask for reviews" button shows a short link to copy. The link opens the rating window directly. Share it by text message, by email, on the receipt or on a poster at the counter.

Can you delete a Google review?

Yes, in two ways: its author can delete it, and Google removes it after a report if it breaks its rules. The business, or the agency that manages its listing, can report it: fake review, off-topic, offensive content or conflict of interest. Google looks at the report and decides on its own. A negative but honest review stays online: the best answer is a calm, public reply.

Can an agency reply to its clients' reviews?

Yes, if the business has added it as a manager of its listing. The agency then replies in the business's name: the reply shows as "Response from the owner". With Localnord, you reply to the reviews of all your listings from a single dashboard.

Can you reply to Google reviews automatically?

Yes, with a tool connected to the listing. In Localnord, automatic replies are set listing by listing: which ratings, the tone and the delay. They are off by default. You can also keep an AI-written reply that you read before publishing it.

Is Google Sites free?

Yes. Google Sites lets you build a website for free with a Google account; only a custom domain name costs money, through a registrar. Google Sites has nothing to do with reviews: they live on the business's Google listing. For a website tied to the listing, Localnord also generates a showcase site from the listing, with credits.

Is Google Opinion Rewards legit?

Yes: it is Google's official survey app. It pays for answers to questionnaires, in Google Play credit on Android or through PayPal on iPhone. It has nothing to do with business reviews: Google does not pay for reviews left on business listings. Be wary of any app that offers money for reviews: it is a common scam.

Google reviews: the guide for agencies.

Get Google reviews, find them, reply to them and report the fake ones: the step-by-step method for your clients' listings.

See the steps

Google reviews: the short answer.

A Google review is a rating from 1 to 5 stars, often with a text and photos, that a customer leaves on a business's Google listing. It shows in Google Search and on Google Maps. To get more of them, ask for reviews with the listing's link, reply to every review and report the fake ones.

Where it shows: On the business's listing, in Google Search and on Google Maps.
Who can leave one: Anyone signed in to a Google account, customer or not.
Who can reply: The owner or a manager of the listing, so your agency once it has access.

The steps, one by one.

Six steps, from asking for a review to the report for your client.

0 / 6 steps done

Get the listing's review linkOn the business's Google listing, the "Ask for reviews" button gives a short link that opens the rating window directly. That is the link you share everywhere: the customer no longer has to find the listing, then the button to write a review.
Ask for the review right after the visitThe right moment is when the customer has just left: a text message or an email the same day, a QR code on the counter, an NFC plate at the till. Ask every customer, not only the ones you think are happy. A short message, in the business's name, with the link.
Find all the reviews in one placeThe business owner sees their reviews on their listing, in Google Search or on Google Maps. When you manage several businesses, opening each listing one by one quickly eats up time: bring all your clients' reviews into a single tool so you never miss one.
Reply to every review, positive or negativeFor a positive review, say thank you and pick up a detail from the review. For a negative review, stay calm, apologize for the disappointment and offer to continue by phone or email. Never share any information about the customer. Your reply is public: it also speaks to the next customers.
Report the reviews that break the rulesFake reviews, off-topic, offensive or promotional reviews, or reviews written by a competitor: report them from the listing or through Google's form, with the matching reason. A review that is simply negative is not removed. Google looks at the report and decides on its own.
Track the rating and review count every monthEvery month, note the average rating, the new reviews and the ones still without a reply. Show these figures to your client in a report: it proves your work, and it is the best reason for them to keep you on their listing.

The mistakes that cost you.

Six practices that get reviews removed or a listing penalized, and what to do instead.

Buying reviews

Banned by Google and illegal in many countries. Ask your real customers.

Offering a gift for a review

Google bans any reward, even for a neutral review.

Asking only happy customers

Google bans filtering customers. Send the link to everyone.

Having the team write reviews

Staff, family, owner: conflict of interest, reviews removed.

Leaving a negative review unanswered

The next customers read your reply. Answer calmly.

Copy-pasting the same reply

The same reply everywhere shows. Pick up a detail from each review.

Your clients' Google reviews, with the Localnord tool.

The six steps of this guide, for all your clients' listings, from a single dashboard. You choose what goes out on its own and what you review first.

MartinsBakeHi Emma, your review of Martin's Bakery means a lot to us. Please share your experience: qrup.io/a/7Kx2mPqQR codeNFCEmailSMS
Steps 1 and 2
More reviews, asked of every customer
Text messages and emails with reminders, QR code posters, NFC plates.
- Review collection
- QR code posters
AllUnrepliedNegative (≤ 3★)Nino's SalonPerfect haircut, thank you!Replied by AIMartin's BakeryGreat croissants, a bit of a wait.Replied by AINino's PizzaPizza arrived cold.Unreplied
Step 3
All your clients' reviews, in one inbox
Every listing's reviews land in the same place: all, unreplied, negative.
- Google review management
Paul R.Waited far too long on Saturday lunchtime.Reply suggested by AIHi Paul, thank you for your feedback. We're sorry your visit let you down. Give us a call, we'd like to talk about it.PublishEdit
Step 4
A reply ready to go, written by AI
You review and publish in 1 click, or the AI replies on its own by rating.
LocalnordNew review: 2★ on Nino's Pizza“Pizza arrived cold.”Reply to the reviewLikely fake review · Report file ready
Step 5
Notified of every new review
An email based on the ratings you tick. A fake review? Theo prepares the report.
- Negative and fake reviews
ExampleDay 30 report · Nino's Salon4.7Average rating+12New reviews0Unreplied
Step 6
Reviews, shown to the client and on their site
PDF reports in your colors (starting point, day 30, day 90) and a review widget.
- PDF reports
- Google reviews widget

Try it on a client's listing.

7-day free trial, no credit card, on 1 Google listing.

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Frequently asked questions.

The questions people ask most about Google reviews.

The reviews you have written: in Google Maps, tap your photo, then "Your profile"; the reviews section lists them all. The reviews your business has received: signed in to the account that manages the listing, search for the business name on Google, the listing shows with its reviews and you can reply. An agency that manages several listings can bring all its clients' reviews together in Localnord.

Every local business has a Google listing. Make it your business.

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