The Complete Guide to Google Customer Reviews (That Everyone Should Read) in 2025

Google Customer Reviews are one of the most powerful tools for building trust and improving your search visibility online. 

But collecting them doesn’t happen automatically, so you need a simple, strategic approach that encourages happy customers to share their experience. 

By asking at the right moments and making the process effortless, you can consistently grow your reviews and strengthen your online reputation.

After all, a 5-star Google review can make all the difference.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Google Customer Reviews: what they are, why they matter for your business’s visibility and growth, how to qualify for them, and the steps to set them up correctly. 

Ultimately, it gives you the tools and knowledge to turn everyday customer experiences into a steady stream of feedback that boosts credibility, rankings, and revenue. Let’s check it out! 

What Are Google Customer Reviews?

Google Customer Reviews (GCR) are a free feature offered by Google that allows customers to rate and review their experience with a business after making a purchase or interacting with the brand. 

These reviews appear directly on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping, making them extremely influential.

They give potential customers a real view of how your business performs. Whether you run an online shop or a local storefront, your Google Customer Reviews act as public proof of your business quality.

In short, they help customers trust you before they even visit your website.

Why Google Customer Reviews Matter in 2025

Search behavior continues to shift. Most customers won’t buy from a business without checking reviews first. 

And thanks to mobile search and voice assistants, Google remains the #1 place people discover businesses.

In 2025, Google reviews are more important than ever because they:

• Influence where you rank in search results
  
• Affect how many people click your listing
  
• Impact whether customers choose you or a competitor
  
• Count as a major local SEO ranking factor

The better and more consistent your reviews, the more visible and successful your business can become.

What Are The Benefits of Google Customer Reviews?

If you have no Google reviews, your business is in trouble. Google customer reviews help your business grow without spending a fortune. Here’s how:

1. It’s Free

There is no cost to collect and display customer reviews on your Google Business Profile. Even better? They work for you 24/7. More reviews mean more trust without extra advertising spend.

2. It Boosts Ads & Shopping Performance

If you sell products online, Customer Reviews can improve performance in Google Ads and Shopping. Positive feedback increases click-through rates and conversions because users feel more confident buying from you.

3. It Enhances Product Visibility

Google prioritizes businesses with strong reviews. If you have higher ratings and more review volume, Google is more likely to display your products and listings front and center.

4. It Builds Authority & Trust

Customers trust Google reviews because they come from real people. Seeing honest feedback, especially recent reviews, helps remove doubt and fear from the buying process.

5. It Provides Customer Insights

Reviews often highlight what customers love and what needs improvement. That feedback can guide you to better service, stronger product offerings, and more satisfied customers.

Google reviews are real-time market research that helps you grow smarter.

Eligibility Requirements for Google Customer Reviews

To collect verified reviews using Google’s Customer Reviews program, you must:

• Have a Google Merchant Center account
  
• Sell products online (not just services)
  
• Use your own checkout, not a marketplace like Amazon
  
• Comply with Google’s policies

Local brick-and-mortar businesses can still collect reviews through their Google Business Profile, just not through the automated Customer Reviews opt-in process.

How Do Google Customer Reviews Work?

When someone buys from your online store, Google may show them a pop-up asking if they want to provide feedback later. 

If they agree, Google sends an email with a short survey.

That survey rating is used to help determine your business’s overall score in Google’s review system.

The best part? Because these reviews are connected to real transactions, they carry strong trust signals that can boost your online reputation fast.

How To Set Up Google Customer Reviews

Getting started is simple if you have an online store. Here’s the basic setup:

1. Sign in to Google Merchant Center
   
2. Scroll down below your performance and you’ll see a “Growth” box > “Sign up for Google Customer Reviews”
   
3. Enable “Customer Reviews”
   
4. Add the opt-in survey code to your website

You may need your developer or website designer to help with that step. Google also offers instructions on how to do it.

Once completed, Google will begin collecting verified purchase feedback automatically.

If you’re a service-based business or physical store, your setup happens through your Google Business Profile instead: you can share your review link and encourage customers to leave feedback after their visit.

How to Get More Google Customer Reviews

You can’t sit back and hope reviews show up. A strong reputation requires strategy and consistency. 

You can consistently grow your Google Customer Reviews by making feedback easy and asking at the right times. Here are smart ways to get more Google Customer Reviews:

• Ask customers right after a positive interaction. The moment someone expresses satisfaction, whether in-store or online, is the perfect time to request a review. Customers feel most excited about their experience in that moment, so they’re more likely to follow through.
  
• Share your direct Google review link everywhere. Add it to thank-you emails, receipts, text messages, or post-purchase notifications. When leaving a review is only one tap away, people are far more willing to do it.
  
• Use QR codes for quick in-person reviews. Place a Google QR code at checkout, on menus, packaging, or signage. Scanning takes only a second, and customers don’t have to search for your listing. Removing friction increases results.
  
• Train your staff to encourage feedback. A simple “If you enjoyed your visit, a Google review would be amazing!” can go a long way. Staff members who engage personally can dramatically increase your review volume over time.
  
• Send a follow-up reminder after purchases or appointments. People often forget to leave reviews even if they intend to, so a friendly nudge can make all the difference. Keep the reminder warm and appreciative, not pushy.
  
• Highlight your existing reviews to inspire more. Share great feedback on social media or in email newsletters to reinforce how much reviews matter. When customers see their comments celebrated, they feel valued and others are inspired to contribute, too.
  
• Aim for ongoing, consistent growth, not one-time bursts. Google rewards businesses that continually collect fresh feedback because it signals active and reliable service. A steady flow of reviews will help maintain trust and improve your search visibility long-term.

The key to getting more Google Customer Reviews is consistency, convenience, and genuine connection with your customers. 

When you make it easy for people to share their experience, and show that their feedback matters, you’ll naturally generate more positive reviews over time. 

These reviews not only build trust with future customers but also strengthen your visibility and ranking across Google Search and Maps. 

By making reviews part of your everyday customer experience, you turn happy customers into powerful advocates for your business.

What Are Google Seller Ratings?

Google Seller Ratings are the star ratings you see in Google Ads and Google Shopping listings. 

They are automatically calculated by Google using review data from trusted sources, including Google Customer Reviews.

Seller Ratings show how reliable your business is when fulfilling orders, which helps shoppers trust your store before clicking.

How Do You Get Google Seller Ratings?

To qualify, your business must meet Google requirements:

• At least 100 verified reviews within the last 12 months
  
• An average rating of 3.5 stars or higher
  
• Reviews sourced from approved platforms

If you meet the criteria, your Seller Ratings will appear automatically with no extra setup required. Easy, right?

What Are Google Product Ratings?

Product Ratings reflect customer opinions on individual products rather than the entire business. 

These ratings appear in:

• Google Shopping
  
• Product listing ads
  
• Detailed search panels

If you sell physical products, Product Ratings help your shoppers feel confident they’re choosing the right item.

How Reviews Appear in Google Shopping

Google collects data from:

• Google Customer Reviews
  
• Seller Ratings
  
• Third-party review providers
  
• Your product review feeds

Shoppers will see both your average star rating and the number of reviews: two major trust factors that influence buying decisions. 

The more positive reviews your products earn, the more Google highlights them.

How Do I Find My Google Reviews?

You can view your own Google reviews or reviews you’ve written.

Reviews of your business:

1. Sign into your Google Business Profile
   
2. Click the “Reviews” tab
   
3. Read, reply, and manage all customer feedback

Reviews you’ve written:

1. Go to Google Search or Maps
   
2. Tap your profile picture
   
3. Select “Your contributions” > “Reviews”

Here you can see and edit the reviews you personally left for other businesses.

How to Edit or Delete Google Customer Reviews?

Customers can edit or delete their reviews anytime.

Steps for changing a Google review you wrote yourself:

1. Open Google Maps
   
2. Select “Your contributions”
   
3. Tap “Reviews”
   
4. Choose the review you want to edit or remove

Businesses cannot delete reviews themselves. Google must approve removal requests based on policy violations. They can also delete fake Google reviews if you report them. 

Drawbacks of Google Customer Reviews

While Google reviews are beneficial, there are a few limitations to understand:

1. No Customisation

Google controls the review layout; you can’t design or customize how they appear.

2. Limited Use Cases

Mainly supports online stores for automated collection through the Customer Reviews program.

3. No Widgets or Review Displays

Businesses must use third-party tools to show Google reviews on their websites.

4. Difficult Review Management

Negative or fake reviews require reporting and review by Google, and resolution can take time.

5. Total Dependency on Google’s Rules

If Google changes how reviews work (which they sometimes do), businesses must adapt immediately.

6. No Direct Interaction or Engagement

With the automated survey process, you can’t personalize messages or control the review timing.

Other Review Options

Google should be your first priority, but not your only source of reviews.

Third-Party Sites (e.g. Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor)

While Google Customer Reviews are one of the most powerful and visible tools available, it’s still smart for businesses to diversify where they collect reviews. 

Customers look for validation in multiple places online, not just Google. 

Some industries also perform better on platforms where users are specifically searching for recommendations related to food, travel, local services, or tech products.

Facebook remains a strong review channel, especially for community-driven businesses such as salons, gyms, and childcare services. 

Reviews are tied to real accounts, and customers often share detailed posts that can spread through their social connections. 

The downside is that visibility can fluctuate due to Facebook’s algorithm changes. Yelp reviews continue to be a key platform for local search, particularly for restaurants and home services. 

Yelp users tend to write thorough reviews, but the platform’s aggressive filtering sometimes hides legitimate positive feedback. 

For travel and hospitality businesses, TripAdvisor is one of the most influential platforms. Travelers rely heavily on it when choosing hotels, tours, or restaurants in unfamiliar locations. 

However, the audience consists mostly of tourists, so reviews may not be as consistent year-round.

Using multiple review sources ensures potential customers see consistent positive feedback wherever they search. 

Google helps new customers find you, and other review platforms help them feel even more confident in choosing you. A wider review presence means more trust, more engagement, and ultimately, more sales.

Review Platforms

There are also dedicated review platforms that collect more structured feedback. Trustpilot and Feefo are widely used by e-commerce brands. 

G2 and Capterra are essential if you sell software or B2B services. Restaurants can benefit from integrating OpenTable reviews. 

These platforms help businesses gather more detailed insights, offer useful reporting tools, and allow reviews to be featured creatively on websites. 

People searching on these platforms are usually closer to making a purchase decision, which means the reviews carry significant weight.

Google reviews directly affect where your business ranks in search results and how quickly customers find you.

But reviews on third-party sites help strengthen overall brand trust and can improve conversion rates once shoppers click through to your website. 

In fact, Google’s algorithm also references reputation signals from trusted platforms across the web. That means having a strong presence elsewhere can indirectly support your visibility on Google too.

The best approach is to prioritize Google as your foundation, because it controls both search visibility and the first impression customers see. 

Then you can reinforce credibility by encouraging reviews on additional platforms based on your industry. Restaurants and bars may want to include Yelp or OpenTable, while travel-focused brands should use TripAdvisor. 

Retailers and online shops can expand onto Trustpilot, and tech companies should actively build profiles on G2 or Capterra.

In Summary: Google Customer Reviews

Google Customer Reviews provide powerful visibility, trust, and SEO benefits that help your business grow. They are free, easy to set up, and designed to increase customer confidence from search results through checkout.

By encouraging consistent, authentic reviews and monitoring feedback regularly, you can:

• Improve local SEO
  
• Gain higher rankings in Maps and Search
  
• Increase conversions in Google Shopping
  
• Build a stronger online reputation

The bottom line: the more verified feedback you collect, the faster your business will grow.

FAQ

Here are the most commonly-asked questions regarding Google Customer reviews.

How to find Google reviews for a company?

Search for the company name on Google or open it in Maps. Scroll to the review section under the business name to read all published reviews.

How to set up Google Customer Reviews?

For e-commerce businesses, enable the Customer Reviews program in Google Merchant Center and add the survey opt-in code. Local businesses simply set up a Google Business Profile.

How do I delete a review from my business page?

You can’t delete reviews yourself. Instead, report reviews that are fake or violate Google policy for evaluation and potential removal.

Do Google Customer Reviews help SEO?

Yes. More positive, recent reviews help improve your search ranking and visibility on Google Maps.

How many Google reviews do I need?

Aim for steady growth. Most businesses should target at least 5–10 new reviews each month to stay competitive.

Are Google Customer Reviews trustworthy?

Yes. They are tied to real Google accounts and often verified purchase behavior, making them more reliable than reviews on many other platforms.