How to Write a Good Google Review (With Examples)
A star rating tells people very little. A good Google review tells the next customer exactly what to expect. Here's what to write, a simple structure to follow, and example reviews you can adapt for any business.
Anyone can tap five stars in a second, but a star rating on its own tells the next customer almost nothing. A good Google review explains why — what you got, what stood out, and whether you'd go back. That's what helps the next person decide, and it's what helps the business get found. The good news is that writing a genuinely useful review takes only a minute or two once you know what to include.
This guide is about what to write in a Google review and how to make it helpful, with example reviews you can adapt for different kinds of business. If you just need the mechanics — where to tap to post it on your phone or computer — see our step-by-step guide on how to leave a Google review.
Say what you got, name the person who helped, mention one specific thing that stood out, and be honest. Two or three sentences is plenty — specifics beat length every time.
What makes a Google review helpful
The best reviews aren't the longest or the most glowing — they're the most specific. When you're deciding how to write a Google review, picture the person reading it next: a stranger trying to work out whether this is the right place for them. Give them the details you'd have wanted.
- Specifics, not adjectives. "Great service" tells nobody anything. "They fitted us in same-day and the plumber talked me through the repair" tells them everything.
- Names of people who stood out. Staff names make a review feel real, and they mean a great deal to the team being mentioned.
- What you actually got. The dish, the treatment, the job done — naming it helps others know what to expect.
- Honesty. A balanced review that mentions one small downside is more trusted than relentless praise, and only review places you genuinely experienced.
A simple structure to follow
You don't need to plan it out, but if you're staring at a blank box wondering what to write in a Google review, this three-part shape works for almost any business:
- What you came for. One line on the service, visit or job — "Booked a deep clean and colour," "Came in for a leaking radiator."
- What the experience was like. The detail that mattered — speed, friendliness, the result, value for money, the person who helped.
- Whether you'd recommend it. A short verdict closes the review and tells the reader what to do with it: "Will be back," "Wouldn't hesitate to recommend."
That's it. Three sentences following that order makes a review more useful than four paragraphs of vague praise.
How many stars should you give?
The star rating sits alongside your words, so it helps to be consistent with them. There's no official rulebook, but most reviewers read the scale roughly like this:
- 5 stars — a genuinely great experience you'd happily recommend, even if it wasn't flawless.
- 4 stars — good, with one or two minor niggles worth mentioning in the text.
- 3 stars — fine but unremarkable, or a real mix of good and bad.
- 2 stars — fell short in ways that mattered.
- 1 star — a poor experience you'd warn others about.
If you leave glowing text but only three stars, the business is left guessing what went wrong. If you're marking down, a sentence explaining why is far more useful — both to the owner and to the next customer — than stars alone.
Google review examples you can adapt
Sometimes the easiest way to get started is to see a few good review examples and borrow the shape. Here are sample reviews for different business types — don't copy them word for word (Google filters duplicated text), but use them as a template for your own honest experience.
Restaurant
Booked a table for four on a Friday and the service was spot on. The sea bass special was the standout, and our server Amara checked in just the right amount without hovering. Drinks came quickly and the bill was fair for the quality. We'll be back.
— Example: restaurant review
Tradesperson (plumber)
Called about a leaking radiator and they came out the same afternoon. Tom diagnosed it in minutes, explained what needed doing before starting, and the final price matched the quote — no surprises. Tidied up after himself too. Easily the most straightforward plumber I've used.
— Example: plumber review
Hair salon
Went in for a cut and balayage with Priya after a few bad experiences elsewhere. She actually listened, talked me through what would suit me, and didn't rush. Three weeks on it's still growing out beautifully. Relaxed atmosphere and good value for the work involved — already rebooked.
— Example: salon review
Dentist
Joined as a new patient and had a check-up and clean. The reception team made registering painless, and Dr Khan was patient and clear about what was needed without pushing extra treatment. I'm a nervous patient and felt genuinely looked after. Would recommend to anyone anxious about the dentist.
— Example: dentist review
Notice what they have in common: each one names what the person came for, mentions a member of staff, and gives one concrete detail before the verdict. That's the whole formula.
What to avoid in a Google review
A few things make a review less helpful — or get it filtered out by Google's automated checks before anyone sees it. Steer clear of these:
- Vague, all-or-nothing language. "Amazing!" or "Terrible" with no detail helps no one and reads as low-effort.
- Reviews for places you haven't experienced. Google asks that reviews reflect a genuine visit, job or interaction — fake or second-hand reviews are against policy.
- Personal information. Don't include your own or anyone else's full name, phone number, address or order details.
- Links and promotions. Adding a website link or anything that reads like an advert is a common reason a review gets held back or removed.
- Personal attacks or off-topic content. Criticise the experience, not the person; profanity and unrelated rants tend to be filtered.
Adding photos to your review
A photo or two makes a review noticeably more useful and more trusted — they're often the first thing other customers look at. When you're writing your review, tap the Add photos button before posting and choose a few from your phone.
- Show what you're describing — the meal, the finished haircut, the repaired fitting, the space itself.
- Use your own photos taken during your visit, not images from elsewhere.
- Skip anything with people's faces, number plates or personal details visible.
For exactly where the photo button sits on a phone versus a computer, our step-by-step guide to leaving a review walks through both.
For business owners: helping customers write better reviews
If you run a business and you're reading this to point customers in the right direction, the most powerful thing you can do is remove the friction and gently prompt the detail. A customer who taps a card and lands straight on the review screen, in the moment they're happiest, writes a far better review than one chasing your name in search three days later.
A tap & scan card, plate or stand opens your Google review page in one tap — no searching, no app. Pair that with a simple prompt ("if anyone helped you today, do mention them") and you'll collect more reviews and richer ones. Our guide on how to get more Google reviews covers the full system, and you can see the tap & scan range over on our products page.
Our tap & scan Google review cards, plates and stands send your customers straight to the review screen in one tap — so more of them follow through, and write something worth reading.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a Google review be?
Two or three sentences is ideal. Long enough to name what you got and one detail that stood out, short enough that people actually read it. A specific two-line review beats a vague paragraph every time.
What should I write in a Google review if nothing special happened?
Reliable and ordinary is still worth saying. "Quick, friendly and exactly what I needed" with one concrete detail — the wait time, the staff member, the value — tells the next customer this is a safe, consistent choice, which is genuinely useful.
Can I edit my review after posting it?
Yes. Open your Google profile, go to your contributions or reviews, find the review and use the three-dot menu to edit the stars or text — handy if you remember a detail or the business puts something right. The leaving-a-review guide shows the exact steps.
Should I mention staff by name?
Yes, if someone genuinely stood out. Naming the person who helped makes your review feel authentic to readers and means a lot to the team. Just avoid including anyone's surname or other personal details.
Will the business see my review?
Yes. Reviews are public and the business can see who left each one, along with the name and photo on your Google account. Good owners read and respond to reviews, so writing something clear and fair is worthwhile.