How to reply to Google reviews (with response examples)

How to reply to a review on Google

• Sign in to the account that manages your Business Profile.
• Search your business name on Google or open Google Maps.
• Choose Reviews, then Reply next to the review.
• Write your response and post it. You can edit it later.

What a good reply looks like

• Use the reviewer's first name.
• Mention something specific they said.
• Keep it to one to three sentences.
• Sign with a real name.
• No sales pitch and no discount offers.

Positive review response examples

Responding to Google reviews with no text

Star-only reviews deserve a reply too. A simple 'Thanks for the five stars, Tom, we appreciate it!' is enough.

How quickly to reply

Within two or three days is ideal. Fast replies show both the reviewer and future customers that you pay attention.

Reply templates for positive reviews

How fast should you reply?

Aim to reply within one to two business days. Quick replies show future customers that someone is paying attention. Set a weekly reminder at the very least, or let a service draft replies for you to approve.

What to include in a good reply

• The reviewer's first name.
• A specific detail from their review.
• A genuine thank-you, without sales pitches.
• Your name or role, so it feels personal.
• Two to four sentences — not an essay.

What to avoid in review replies

• Copying the exact same reply on every review.
• Sharing private details such as appointment info or health details.
• Stuffing keywords or links into the reply.
• Arguing with a reviewer in public.

Reply examples by industry

Who should reply, and how fast

The owner or manager is usually the best person to reply, because customers want to hear from someone responsible. In bigger teams, one person can reply for everyone, as long as they sign with a real name and keep the tone consistent.

Try to reply within a day or two. For critical reviews, a quick reply matters even more: future customers will read your answer next to the complaint.

If you get many reviews, set aside ten minutes at the same time each day. Small, regular sessions are easier than a big pile once a month.

Privacy in replies

Some industries need extra care. Dentists and clinics should never confirm in a public reply that someone is a patient or mention treatment details, even if the reviewer did. Keep replies general: "Thank you for your kind words, we're glad you had a good experience with our team." The same caution applies to anything personal, like addresses or prices a customer paid.

Using AI to help draft replies

AI can save time on positive reviews by suggesting a short, personal draft. Always read and edit it before posting, so the reply mentions something real from the review. For critical reviews, write the reply yourself or have a person check it carefully; these are the replies future customers read most closely.

Replying to reviews with no text

Many reviews are just a star rating. Reply to these too, with a short thank-you. For a five-star rating, "Thanks so much for the five stars, Sam, we really appreciate it" is enough. For a low rating with no explanation, invite the person to get in touch: "We're sorry to see this, Sam. We'd like to understand what went wrong; please call us so we can help." Short, polite replies show every customer is noticed.

Words to avoid in replies

• Blaming the customer, even if they were partly at fault.
• Sales pitches and discount codes.
• Copy-and-paste replies used on every review.
• Private details like addresses, prices or appointment information.

Reply checklist

• Use the reviewer's first name.
• Mention one real detail from their review.
• Keep it to two or three sentences.
• Sign with a real name.

Let us write the first draft

Ask & Get Reviews drafts a personal reply to each new review for you to approve, so every review gets an answer without you writing each one.