How to Get More Google Reviews the Right Way (and Reply to Bad Ones)

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Add DAB as a preferred source on Google

To get more Google reviews, ask every customer shortly after the service is done, send your Google Business Profile review link so leaving one takes a minute, and reply to every review you receive. Do not pay for reviews, offer rewards, or ask only happy customers. Google's policies prohibit all three.

Customers read Google reviews before they call, book or visit. For most Thai businesses, the rating and comments on Google Maps and Google Search are the first impression, often before the website. This guide covers how to ask, where to share your link, how to reply, and what Google does not allow. It applies to any business with a Google Business Profile, from clinics and cafés to repair shops and consultants.

Key takeaways - Ask every customer, not only the happy ones, soon after the service is delivered. - Make it easy: share your review link by LINE message, QR code or receipt. - Reply to every review, positive or negative, with a calm, specific public message. - Never buy reviews, reward customers for them or screen who you ask. - A reply does not remove a bad review. Flag only reviews that break Google's policies.

Why do Google reviews matter for a Thai business?

Reviews influence two things: whether a customer chooses you, and how visible you are. People compare ratings and read recent comments before contacting a business. Google also lists review count and score among the signals it uses for local results, alongside relevance and distance.

Reviews work best on a complete, accurate profile. They are one part of local SEO in Thailand, not a replacement for it.

How do you get your Google review link?

Your review link opens the review form for your business directly, so customers do not have to search for you.

Sign in with the Google account that manages your Business Profile.
Search for your business name on Google, or open your profile from your Business Profile manager.
Choose the option to ask for reviews or share the review form, then copy the link. The exact button name can change, so look for the option to share your review form.
Open the link on your phone to confirm it shows the review form for the right location.

You can turn the link into a QR code with any free QR generator and print it. If your business appears twice on Google Maps, reviews end up split between two listings, so check for duplicates first. Our guide on duplicate Google Business Profile listings explains what to do.

When and how should you ask for a Google review?

Ask when the experience is fresh: after the treatment, delivery, handover, checkout or project sign-off. Ask every customer. Choosing who to ask is exactly what Google does not allow (see below).

Where	Best moment	Tip
LINE message	Same day as the service	Send one personal message with the link, not a mass broadcast
QR code on counter, receipt or invoice	At checkout	Add one short line in Thai next to the code
Email or SMS	After delivery or project completion	Send one reminder at most
Staff request in person	End of the visit	Offer to send the link by LINE so the customer does not have to search

A simple Thai message you can adapt:

ขอบคุณที่ใช้บริการครับ/ค่ะ ไม่ว่าประสบการณ์จะเป็นอย่างไร รบกวนเล่าให้เราฟังบน Google ได้ไหมครับ/ค่ะ ใช้เวลาไม่นาน: [ลิงก์รีวิว]

In English: "Thank you for choosing us. Whatever your experience was, would you share it on Google? It only takes a moment: [review link]"

What does Google not allow when asking for reviews?

Google's content policies for reviews rule out the following. Read the current policy before you start, because policies change.

Fake reviews: reviews written by owners, staff, relatives or anyone without real experience of the business.
Paid reviews: paying a person or a service to post reviews.
Incentives: offering a discount, gift or prize in exchange for a review, even for an honest one.
Review gating: sending only happy customers to Google, or filtering people through a private survey first.

Breaking these rules can lead to reviews being removed and, in serious cases, restrictions on the profile. Check Google's current review policies for the latest wording.

How should you reply to positive reviews?

Reply in a few specific sentences. Thank the customer, mention what they liked, and invite them back. Do not paste the same text under every review, and do not add promotions or keyword lists.

Example: "Thank you, Khun Nok. We are glad the booking was easy and the team was on time. See you again soon."

How should you reply to negative reviews?

A good reply is for the next customer reading it as much as for the reviewer.

Wait before replying. Do not answer while angry.
Thank and acknowledge the specific problem they raised.
Do not argue or blame the customer.
Keep private details out. Do not mention names, orders or treatments in public.
Move the conversation offline with a phone number or LINE contact.
Follow up after fixing the issue. The reviewer can choose to update their review.

Situation	What to do
Fair complaint	Apologise for the specific problem and say what you will do or have done
Complaint you disagree with	State the facts politely, once, and keep it short
Spam, offensive language, or a person who was never a customer	Flag the review so Google can assess it
Review written in English or Thai	Reply in the same language

Google, not you, decides whether a flagged review is removed. A review being negative or unfair is not enough on its own.

Example: "We are sorry the delivery was late and that you did not get an update. We have changed how we notify customers. Please contact us on LINE so we can make this right."

How often should you check your reviews?

Set a weekly routine and give one person ownership. Turn on notifications so new reviews reach you quickly. Once a month, look for repeated themes. If three customers mention the same problem, it is an operations issue, not a reputation issue.

What if you run a hotel?

The steps above work for any business. Hotels have extra considerations around guest feedback and online travel agencies, covered in our guide to local SEO for hotels on Google Maps.

How does DAB handle Google reviews?

DAB sets up Google Business Profiles from ฿3,500 and replies to client reviews. We have 18+ years of experience in digital marketing in Bangkok. Our Google Business Profile setup service covers the profile itself, and our local SEO work builds on top of it.

Need help with your Google Business Profile?

If you would like help setting up or managing your profile and reviews, contact DAB through LINE or our contact page. See the details on our Google Business Profile service page.

FAQ

How many Google reviews do I need?

There is no fixed number. Google does not publish a target. A steady flow of genuine, recent reviews matters more than reaching a round number quickly.

Can I delete a bad Google review?

No. You can reply publicly and flag a review that breaks Google's policies, but Google decides whether to remove it. The reviewer can edit or delete their own review.

Can I offer a discount for leaving a review?

No. Google's policies prohibit offering incentives for reviews, including discounts and gifts.

Should I reply to every review?

Yes, where you can. Short, specific replies are fine for simple positive reviews. Take more care with negative ones.

Can customers review in Thai or English?

Yes. Customers can write in any language they are comfortable with. Reply in the same language so they understand your response.

Why did a review disappear from my profile?

Google may remove or hold reviews that look like spam or break its policies. The reviewer may also have deleted it. Google does not always explain individual decisions.