Google Review Text Message: SMS Templates to Copy

A text message is the most direct channel to ask for a Google review: it lands in the customer's pocket, is read in seconds, and the link opens with one tap on the very phone where the review gets written. It's also the most personal channel, so mistakes in tone, timing or consent cost the most.

The short answer. To ask for a Google review by text, send a two- or three-line message during the day, within 24 hours of the visit, only to customers who agreed to be contacted. Include the business name, a thank-you, the Google review link and a STOP opt-out. No rating requested, no incentive, no repeated reminders.

Why Text Messages Work for Review Requests

Texts succeed where email often fails: they get read quickly and the customer is already on their phone, the device they'll write the review on. There's no crowded inbox and no promotions tab.

Three situations where text is the best choice:

• Short visits with no email on file: hair salon, beauty salon, garage, walk-in restaurant, where you only have a phone number.
• Customers who don't check email: local regulars, tradespeople, older customers who still read their texts.
• Services completed outside your premises: call-outs, deliveries, home visits.

Its limits are real: each send costs money, it's intrusive when overused, and it requires clean consent. For customers on site, a Google review QR code is simpler; for those whose address you have, a review request email gives more room for context.

Consent, STOP and Sending Hours: The Rules

A review request text has to respect data protection rules, operator practices and Google's rules. Most mistakes happen before you even write the message. The rules below are the French ones; check the equivalent rules wherever your customers live.

Consent. France's data protection authority, the CNIL, requires prior consent from individuals for commercial texts, given through a positive action (an unticked box), except for existing customers contacted about similar products or services. Every message must allow a simple way to refuse further sends. Recipients in France can report unsolicited texts to 33700, which hurts the sender's reputation. To be safe, treat the review request as a commercial text: clear wording at booking or checkout ("I agree to receive texts from [Name]"), with date and source recorded (see the CNIL guidance on SMS prospecting).

STOP and sending hours. The af2m Business Messaging charter, which has set French operators' rules since 1 March 2026, lists the STOP keyword among opt-out methods and allows promotional texts between 8 am and 9:30 pm, recommended Monday to Saturday, tolerated but discouraged on Sundays and public holidays. Your sending provider normally enforces these windows (af2m's presentation of the charter).

Google's rules. Google's fake engagement policy prohibits offering incentives for reviews and selectively soliciting positive ones. So the same text goes to every opted-in customer, with no condition like "if you enjoyed it".

When to Send the Text for Your Trade

Send the text when the experience is over and still fresh, usually the same day or the next, at a time when customers have their phone in hand and aren't busy.

These slots are starting points: test two times over a month and keep the one that brings in the most reviews. The full reasoning is in the best time to ask for a review.

How to Write the Message

A good review request text reads in one breath: who's writing, why, the link, the way out. Anything longer than three lines reduces reading and may be split into several texts billed separately.

The four-part structure:

1. Sender first: "[Business name]:". Without it, the message looks like a scam.
2. The thank-you, tied to the visit, with the first name if you have it.
3. The request and the link: "Your Google review helps us: [link]".
4. The way out: "Reply STOP to opt out" or the wording your provider supplies.

Use the review link copied from Google Business Profile, not your profile's address, and avoid unknown link shorteners that trigger distrust or spam filters. Also avoid capitals, strings of emojis and multiple exclamation marks.

8 Text Message Templates to Ask for a Google Review

These templates are neutral: they ask for an honest review without steering the rating. Adjust the name, first name and your provider's opt-out wording.

• Restaurant: "[Name]: thanks for joining us yesterday, [First name]. Your Google review helps people nearby discover us: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Hair or beauty salon: "[Name]: thanks for your appointment today, [First name]. A Google review, even a short one, really helps: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Garage: "[Name] garage: thanks for trusting us with your car. Your Google review helps local drivers: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Hotel: "[Name]: thanks for your stay, [First name], safe travels. Your Google review helps future guests: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Tradesperson: "[Company]: thanks for your trust on today's job. A Google review helps me get known locally: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Shop: "[Name]: thanks for stopping by, [First name]. Your Google review matters to an independent shop: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Takeaway: "[Name]: thanks for your order. Your Google review helps us: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"
• Healthcare practice: "[Name] practice: if you wish, you can share your experience of our welcome on Google: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out"

For a healthcare practice, never mention the reason for the appointment or a specific treatment.

The Mistakes That Turn a Text Into an Irritant

Review request texts that fail almost always fail on the framework, not the wording. These are the mistakes to fix first:

• Texting numbers without consent, or a purchased list.
• Making the request conditional: "If you were satisfied, leave a review". Same message for everyone.
• Asking for a rating: "5 stars", "a positive review".
• Promising something: "a free coffee for your review". Prohibited by Google, and in France an incentive for a review is a deceptive commercial practice.
• Sending a survey link first that only forwards good scores to Google.
• Leaving out the business name or the STOP opt-out.
• Sending several reminders.

Scale Up Without Losing the Tone

Beyond a few messages a week, sending by hand becomes a chore and things get forgotten. An SMS campaign tool lets you schedule sends within the right hours and handles opt-outs automatically. Whatever tool you use, keep a single opt-out list: a customer who replied STOP to one message must never receive a review request from another tool, a colleague's phone or a later campaign.

With Ma Belle Note SMS campaigns, you text your opted-in customer base from the same dashboard as your reviews: €0.06 excl. VAT per text on the Standard plan, 100 free texts a month then €0.05 excl. VAT on the Pro plan. For the full overview of methods, see how to get more Google reviews, and to handle the reviews that come in, our Google review response templates. Try it all with the free 7-day trial, no credit card required.