How to get more Google reviews in 2026, without breaking the rules

What Google and the FTC allow, the asks that work, and the "review funnels" that can get your reviews removed.

Reviews decide a lot of local jobs. Customers read them before they call, and in 2026 AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google's own Ask Maps lean on them when someone asks for "a good roofer near me". Owners who show up in those answers say the same thing: lots of genuine, recent reviews.

What is allowed

Ask every real customer, every time, with the same link.
Send your direct Google review link (in your Business Profile: "Ask for reviews") so it is one tap.
Reply to every review, good and bad, calmly and without sharing private details.

What gets reviews removed, or worse

Rewards for reviews. Discounts, gift cards or raffle entries for a review break Google's rules. The FTC's review rule (2024) also bans rewards tied to a positive review.
"Review funnels". Asking "Happy? Review us on Google. Not happy? Tell us first" is called review gating, and Google bans it. Everyone gets the same Google link.
Staff quotas and name-drops. Google's 2026 policy additions target reviews written to hit an employee quota or to mention a staff member by name on request.
Fake or bought reviews, including ones written by AI. They get removed, and Google can put a warning on your profile.
Asking for Yelp reviews. Yelp tells businesses not to ask at all.

The ask that works

Timing beats wording: ask right when the job is done and the customer is happy, by text if they agreed to texts, or by email. Keep it short and personal:

"Hey Maria, thanks for having us out today. If you have a minute, an honest Google review helps a small shop like ours a lot: [link]"

One reminder a few days later is fine. More than that starts to feel like pressure.

Ask for a photo too

For restaurants, salons and anything visual, add one line: "a photo helps too". Restaurants that AI assistants recommend most often tend to have far more customer photos on their Google listing than the ones they skip.

What to do this week

Copy your Google review link.
Text or email it to your last ten happy customers, one at a time.
Reply to every review you already have.