A good review request template is short: a specific thank-you, one plain ask for an honest review, one link, and your name. Below are seven copy-paste emails with subject lines for the most common situations. Every one asks all customers the same way, with no incentives and no hints about star ratings.
What should a review request email include?
A review request email should include a clear subject line, a personal greeting, a one-line thank-you tied to the visit, a plain request for an honest review, one prominent link, and a sign-off from a real person. Keep it under 100 words. Anything longer gets skimmed, and anything with multiple links gets ignored.
Before you copy a template, set up three things:
- The link. For Google, open your Business Profile, select Read reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the review link. Test it on your phone.
- The sender name. Send from your business name or a real person at the business, not "noreply".
- The timing. Send the same day as the service or delivery, while the experience is fresh. Our guide on how to ask for reviews has a timing table by business type.
Use this table to pick the right template:
| Template | Use it when | Send |
|---|---|---|
| 1. After a service | Plumbing, HVAC, auto repair, salons, cleaning | Same day as the job |
| 2. After a purchase | Retail, online orders, equipment sales | A few days after delivery |
| 3. Short version | Restaurants, quick visits, repeat customers | Same day |
| 4. From the owner | Small teams, first-time customers, big jobs | Same day or next day |
| 5. Clinic | Dental, medical, therapy, veterinary | Same day as the appointment |
| 6. First reminder | No response to the first email | About 3 days later |
| 7. Final reminder | Still no response | About 7 days after the first email |
Google review request template for after a service
This is the workhorse. It suits any business that does a job for the customer: trades, auto shops, salons, cleaners, pet groomers. Replace the bracketed parts.
Template 1: After a service
Subject: How did we do, [First name]?
Hi [First name],
Thanks for choosing [Business Name] for your [service] today. We hope everything is working just the way it should.
Would you take a minute to leave us an honest review on Google? It helps other people in [Town] decide who to call.
[Leave a review]
Thank you,
[Your name]
[Business Name] | [Phone]
Why it works: the subject line is a real question, the thank-you mentions the actual job, and there is exactly one thing to click. It also asks for an honest review rather than a positive one, which matters because Google's policy prohibits businesses from discouraging negative reviews or selectively soliciting positive ones.
Asking for a review template after a purchase
For products, wait until the customer has had a chance to use what they bought. A review written the day the box arrives says less than one written after a week of use.
Template 2: After a purchase
Subject: How are you liking your [product]?
Hi [First name],
Thanks for shopping with [Business Name]. Now that you've had your [product] for a few days, we'd love to know what you think.
Would you share an honest review? Other shoppers read them before they buy, and your feedback helps us know what to stock.
[Write a review]
Thanks again,
[Your name], [Business Name]
Template 3: The short version
For restaurants, coffee shops, quick appointments and repeat customers who don't need the full story.
Subject: Thanks for visiting [Business Name]
Hi [First name], thanks for coming in today. If you have a minute, an honest review would mean a lot to our small team.
[Leave a review]
- [Your name]
Review request email from the owner, and a version for clinics
A note from the owner gets read because it sounds like a person. Use it for small teams, large jobs or first-time customers.
Template 4: Personal note from the owner
Subject: A quick note from [Owner first name] at [Business Name]
Hi [First name],
I'm [Owner name], and I own [Business Name]. I wanted to personally thank you for trusting us with your [job/visit].
We're a local business and most of our new customers find us through reviews. If you have a minute, I'd be grateful if you'd share your honest experience. And if anything wasn't right, just reply to this email. It comes straight to me.
[Leave a review]
Thank you,
[Owner name]
[Business Name]
Note the order: the review link is there for everyone, and the "reply to me" line is an extra option, not a filter. That is the difference between a good owner note and review gating.
Template 5: For a dental or medical clinic
Keep clinic emails generic. Don't mention the procedure, condition or treatment in the email, and don't reference it in your replies to reviews either. Our dental reputation management guide covers responding to patient reviews.
Subject: Thank you for visiting [Practice Name]
Hi [First name],
Thank you for choosing [Practice Name]. We hope your visit today was a good one.
If you're willing, we'd appreciate an honest review of your experience with our office. It helps other families in [Town] find care they're comfortable with.
[Leave a review]
Warm regards,
The team at [Practice Name]
[Phone]
Review request reminder and follow-up templates
Many people intend to leave a review and simply forget. One or two short reminders, spaced a few days apart, are reasonable. Stop after that, and stop immediately for anyone who has already left a review or asked not to be emailed.
Template 6: First reminder (about 3 days later)
Subject: Re: How did we do, [First name]?
Hi [First name],
Just a quick follow-up in case my last email got buried. If you have a minute, we'd still love your honest review of your recent visit.
[Leave a review]
Thanks,
[Your name]
Template 7: Final reminder (about 7 days after the first email)
Subject: Last note from [Business Name]
Hi [First name],
This is the last reminder, promise. If you'd like to share your experience with [Business Name], the link is below. Either way, thank you for being a customer.
[Leave a review]
[Your name]
Review request email example: what to change and what to keep
Templates work best with small, honest edits. Here is what to personalize and what to leave alone.
| Element | Personalize | Keep the same for everyone |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Customer first name | Friendly, plain tone |
| Thank-you line | The service, product or visit | Genuine thanks, no sales pitch |
| The ask | Your town or customer type | "Honest review", never "5-star review" |
| Link | The right site for your business | Visible to every customer |
| Offer | None | No discounts, gifts or prize draws |
Phrases to avoid in any review request email:
- "If you had a 5-star experience, please review us." This invites only happy customers, which is the definition of gating. Read our guide to review gating for the full picture.
- "Leave a review and get 10% off your next visit." Google says incentives like free or discounted goods or services in exchange for reviews are strictly prohibited.
- "If you weren't happy, please contact us instead of posting." Telling unhappy customers not to post publicly is the kind of discouragement Google's policy prohibits.
A note on Yelp: Yelp's content guidelines say businesses should never ask customers to write reviews, so don't point these templates at Yelp.
Sending review requests without doing it by hand
Templates are only useful if they actually get sent to every customer, every time. That's where most businesses fall short: the emails go out for a week, then the busy season hits.
ReviewUsToday handles the sending for you. It emails each customer a one-tap rating request from your business name, with your logo, and replies land in your own inbox. Customers who haven't rated get up to two reminders (by default at 3 and 7 days), sent between 9am and 7pm your time, and reminders stop as soon as someone rates or unsubscribes. Every customer can reach your public review links, and anyone who rates 1-3 stars also gets a private feedback form that emails you right away. Plans start at $50/month with a 3-day free trial and no credit card; see pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best subject line for a review request email?
Short, personal subject lines work well, such as "How did we do, [First name]?" or "Thanks for visiting [Business Name]". Avoid words that look like spam or a sales pitch, and send from a real name or your business name.
How long should a review request email be?
Aim for under 100 words: a thank-you, one sentence asking for an honest review, one link and your name. Customers decide in seconds whether to click.
Can I use the same review request template for every customer?
Yes, and you should ask every customer the same way. Personalize the name and the service, but send the request to everyone rather than only customers you think are happy.
How many follow-up emails should I send for a review?
One or two reminders a few days apart is reasonable. Stop as soon as the customer leaves a review or asks you to stop emailing.
Can I offer a discount in my review request email?
Not for Google reviews. Google's help center says offering incentives like free or discounted goods or services in exchange for reviews is strictly prohibited.