Get more Google reviews without the trouble

Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read

Why do reviews matter?

For customers they are a signal of trust, often the last look before the call. For Google, according to its own help, reviews feed into a business's prominence, one of the three factors in local ranking alongside relevance and distance.

How do I ask the right way?

• At the right moment. Right after a good outcome: after the treatment, the finished installation, the successful evening.
• Personal and simple. One short sentence and the direct link to the review. You find the link in the business profile.
• Ask everyone. Not only those from whom you expect a good review.
• Steadily. Better to ask a few customers every week than everyone at once once a year.

What is forbidden?

In its policy on fake engagement, Google forbids among other things:

• reviews in return for something, such as a discount, voucher or gift
• asking only satisfied customers for reviews and discouraging others
• reviews from employees, family or yourself for your own business
• bought or fake reviews

Violations can lead to Google removing reviews or restricting the profile. It is also legally risky: bought or fake reviews are not permitted under the German Unfair Competition Act (UWG).

How do I reply to reviews?

To every one, briefly and personally. With positive reviews, say thanks and feel free to pick up on a detail. With critical reviews, stay factual, acknowledge the problem, offer a solution and, where appropriate, move the conversation to the phone. Other readers watch closely how you handle criticism.

What do I do about unfair reviews?

Reviews that violate Google's policies, for example from people who were never customers, or with abusive content, can be reported in the profile. For reviews from people with no customer contact there are also legal ways to ask the platform operator to review them. An honest, critical review from a real customer, on the other hand, you have to put up with.

May I show reviews on my website?

Yes, with rules. Anyone who makes reviews accessible must state under § 5b para. 3 UWG whether and how they ensure they come from real customers. More in the guide Showing reviews on your website.

freeehouse builds your website so that your review link and your Google rating are visible, with the necessary notice about where they come from. Building up reviews itself is offered separately by our parent agency. We don't charge for building the website. How freeehouse works

What does a good review request look like?

Short, personal, with a link. For example by email or message after the appointment:

Thanks for coming to see us. If you were happy, we would love a few words on Google. Here is the direct link to the review: link. And if something didn't suit you, please tell us directly.

The last sentence matters: it invites criticism without keeping critics away from Google. You ask everyone, not just the satisfied.

How many reviews at once?

Better regularly than in waves. A sudden surge of many reviews in one day can stand out to Google. So ask continuously after each job instead of sending a mass email to everyone once a year.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Google Unternehmensprofil Hilfe: Lokales Ranking verbessern, accessed 23 October 2026
• Google Maps Richtlinien: Gefälschte Interaktionen, accessed 23 October 2026
• UWG § 5b Irreführung durch Unterlassen, accessed 23 October 2026

Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.

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