How to leave a Google review

Before you start

Check the business name and address first, especially if the company has several branches. Your review is public under the name on your Google profile, and Google does not allow anonymous reviews.

Give the rating that matches your experience. Google's rules prohibit offering a discount, gift, or other benefit for posting, changing, or removing a review. So you should not feel pressed to leave five stars or to write while an employee watches.

Sources: Google Maps Help: reviews on a computer, Google Account Help: use an existing non-Gmail email, Google Maps: prohibited and restricted content

If the business sent you a review link or QR code

Open the link, or scan the QR code with your phone camera, and sign in if asked. Confirm the business name and location, then follow steps 4 to 6 above. A QR code is only a shortcut: you can always search for the business in Google Maps instead.

Stop if a message asks for your Google password or promises a reward for a particular rating. A business never needs your password to receive a review.

Sources: Google Business Profile: review link or QR code

On a computer

Google's own steps for a computer are these. After posting, you can find the review again under Menu, Your contributions, Reviews. Next to the review, click More, then Edit review or Delete review. Google shows the date of your last edit as the review's post date.

• Sign in to Google Maps and search for the place.
• On the left, scroll down and click Write a review.
• Click the stars, and optionally write your review.
• Click Post.

Sources: Google Maps Help: reviews on a computer

On iPhone or iPad

Google's iPhone and iPad steps are below. To find the review later, tap Contribute, then View your profile, then See all reviews. Tap the More icon next to the review, then Edit review or Delete review.

• Open Google Maps and sign in.
• Search for the place, or tap it on the map. If several locations appear, choose the one you visited.
• Tap the place name or address at the bottom, then tap Reviews at the top.
• Tap the 5 empty stars and choose your rating.
• Under Share more about your experience, write your review. Answering the optional questions and adding photos is up to you.
• Post the review.

Sources: Google Maps Help: reviews on iPhone and iPad

On Android

The Android steps match iPhone. To find the review later, open Contribute and view your profile, then use the menu beside the review to edit or delete it. Not every place shows the optional questions.

• Open Google Maps and sign in.
• Search for the place, or tap it on the map, and choose the correct location.
• Tap the place name or address at the bottom, then tap Reviews at the top.
• Tap the 5 empty stars and choose your rating.
• Under Share more about your experience, write your review, and add photos if you want.
• Post the review.

Sources: Google Maps Help: reviews on Android

How to review without a Gmail address

You do need a Google Account, but its email address can be any address you own. On the Google sign-in page choose Create account, pick a personal account, and use your existing email address when asked. Then sign in to Maps with that account.

There is no guest option for Maps reviews. If you would rather not have a public profile, you can send feedback to the business directly instead. A business cannot post a review on your behalf.

Sources: Google Account Help: use an existing non-Gmail email

What makes a review useful

Say what you bought or used, what you expected, and the detail that shaped your view. "The repair was done on the promised day and the cost was explained before they started" helps more than "great service". If the visit was mixed, say so, and keep to facts you know first-hand.

Keep it about the business you selected. Do not paste ads or links, share another person's details, or copy someone else's review. Only post photos you took and are happy to make public. You can edit your review later if the business fixes the problem.

Sources: Google Maps: prohibited and restricted content

If your review does not appear

Check that it shows under your own contributions and that you posted to the right branch. Google checks reviews against its policies, which can take a few days. If posting failed on your phone, update the Maps app and try again.

If it shows in your profile but nobody else can see it after a few days, the business has not hidden it. Only Google controls publication, and a business can ask Google support about a missing review. See our guide on missing Google reviews.

• Google reviews not showing: causes and fixes

Sources: Google Business Profile: missing or delayed reviews