You just had a great (or frustrating) experience with a company, and you want your review to help the next customer.
To write a review on Google for a company, sign in to Google Maps, find the business, select Write a review, pick a star rating, and describe what you bought, what stood out, and who helped. Be honest, specific, and polite.
Below are 18 sample reviews, fill-in templates, and the rules that keep your review live.
How to write a Google review for a company
A helpful review is specific, honest, and useful to the next customer. Say what you bought or used, what stood out, who helped, and how it turned out. Match your stars to your words, stay on topic, and keep a polite tone. Two to four sentences is enough.
- Specific: name the service, product, or dish, and the approximate date.
- Honest: your rating should match your text, and your text should match what actually happened.
- Useful: mention details others care about, such as price, timing, and the result.
- Kind and on topic: describe your experience, not the owner’s personal life.
Detail also builds trust. In BrightLocal’s 2026 survey, the top factor for trusting a review was that other reviews back it up, at 56%. For a broader walkthrough, see our guide on how to write a review.
18 sample reviews to help you write a Google review for a company
Use these only if you really used the business. The examples are written for illustration, not taken from real customers. Replace every [bracket] with your own details, and never post the same text for different businesses or on behalf of someone else.
Here’s a sample for each situation: five stars, four stars, and a neutral three-star review. Our guide to 5 star reviews goes deeper on what earns top ratings.
Restaurant or cafe
Example 1 · 5 stars
“Went to [Restaurant] for [occasion] on a Friday night. Our server [Name] recommended the [dish], and it was the best thing we ordered. Food came out in about [X] minutes, and the portions were fair for the price.”
Example 2 · 4 stars
“Great [dish] and friendly staff at [Restaurant]. The wait for a table was about [X] minutes even with a reservation, so I’m leaving one star off. I’d still recommend it for [occasion].”
Example 3 · 3 stars, neutral
“Mixed visit. The [dish] was good, but service was slow and our order was missing [item]. The manager fixed it quickly. I’d try it again on a quieter night.”
Salon or beauty
Example 4 · 5 stars
“I came to [Salon] for a [service] with [Stylist]. She listened to what I wanted, explained the options, and finished on time. My [cut/color] still looks great [X] weeks later, and booking online was easy.”
Example 5 · 4 stars
“Loved my [service] at [Salon]. The result is exactly what I asked for. The only downside was waiting about [X] minutes past my appointment time, though the staff apologized.”
Example 6 · 3 stars, neutral
“The [service] turned out fine, but it took longer than the quoted [X] minutes, and the checkout price was higher than I expected. I’d suggest confirming the cost before you start.”
Dental or medical office
Example 7 · 5 stars
“Friendly front desk and a smooth first visit at [Practice]. The team explained each step, and I was out on time. Scheduling and insurance questions were handled clearly.”
Example 8 · 4 stars
“Professional team and a clean office at [Practice]. Parking was tight, and I waited about [X] minutes, but everyone was courteous.”
Home services
Example 9 · 5 stars
“[Company] fixed our [problem] the same day. [Technician] arrived within the window, explained the cause, and gave a price before starting. The final bill matched the quote, and they cleaned up afterward.”
Example 10 · 4 stars
“Good work on our [job]. The crew was polite, and the repair is holding up. They arrived about [X] minutes after the window but called ahead.”
Example 11 · 3 stars, neutral
“The repair worked, but the final cost was higher than the estimate, and it wasn’t clear why until I asked. The technician was polite. I’d ask for a written quote.”
Retail or online store
Example 12 · 5 stars
“Ordered [product] from [Store]. It arrived in [X] days, was packed well, and matched the photos. When I had a sizing question, support replied the same day.”
Example 13 · 4 stars
“Good quality [product] and fast shipping. The color was slightly different from the photos, so four stars. Customer service was helpful.”
Example 14 · 3 stars, neutral
“The [product] is fine for the price, but shipping took longer than listed, and tracking didn’t update for [X] days. Support responded and kept me informed.”
Auto repair and professional services
Example 15 · 5 stars (auto repair)
“[Shop] diagnosed [issue] quickly, showed me the worn part, and explained my options without pressure. The repair was done when promised, and the price matched the estimate.”
Example 16 · 3 stars, neutral (auto repair)
“The repair was done correctly, but it took a day longer than quoted, and I had to call for updates. Staff were polite when I did. I’d ask for a time estimate in writing.”
Example 17 · 5 stars (accounting or consulting)
“[Firm] handled our [tax filing] clearly and on time. [Name] answered questions within a day and explained each step in plain language. Fees were what we expected.”
Example 18 · 4 stars (accounting or consulting)
“Knowledgeable team at [Firm] and accurate work. Communication was slower in busy season, but they met our deadline.”
More ideas are in our roundup of good reviews examples.
Fill-in-the-blank templates to write a Google review for a company
Use this formula: what you used, what stood out, who helped, the result, and who you’d recommend it to.
Example T1 · 5-star template
“I [used/bought] [service or product] from [Company] in [month]. [What stood out]. [Name] [what they did]. [Result]. I’d recommend them to [type of customer].”
Example T2 · 4-star template
“[What you liked about the experience with Company]. One thing to improve: [specific, fair point]. Overall, [recommendation].”
Example T3 · Neutral or problem template
“My experience with [Company] was mixed. [What worked]. [What didn’t, with facts such as dates or amounts]. [What would have made it better].”
How to post it
Here’s how to write a Google review for a company in four steps:
- Open Google Maps and search for the company.
- Select Write a review and sign in if asked.
- Click the stars, write your review, and add photos with the camera button.
- Post it. Later, use Your contributions, then Reviews, then More to edit or delete.
Google’s page on adding, editing, or deleting reviews has the current menus.
Dos and don’ts when you write a review on Google for a company
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Review a business you actually used | Review a company you work for, used to work for, or compete with |
| Describe your own experience in your own words | Copy and paste the same text for different businesses |
| Add your own photos that show the real experience | Add photos you didn’t take or that don’t relate to the place |
| Keep a fair tone, even in a critical review | Use hate speech, threats, or personal attacks |
| Decline any payment or freebie offered in exchange for a review | Post a review in exchange for payment, discounts, or free goods |
Google’s content policy prohibits reviews that are paid for, directly or in kind, and reviews based on a conflict of interest. The FTC’s 2024 rule on consumer reviews (16 CFR Part 465) bans fake reviews, buying reviews, and undisclosed insider reviews. This is general information, not legal advice.
Helpful versus fake: a helpful review is firsthand and specific. A fake review isn’t based on a real experience, was paid for, or comes from someone with a conflict of interest. Local Guides can earn points for reviews and photos, but Google doesn’t pay reviewers.
For business owners: how to encourage detailed reviews
You can’t script a review, but you can make helpful ones more likely. Ask every customer, make it easy, and then reply to each review. Don’t offer rewards, screen who you ask, or tell people which stars or words to use. Google also says merchants shouldn’t pressure customers on the premises or request specific content.
- Share the review link or QR code and our walkthrough on how do you leave a review on google for customers who aren’t sure how to write a review on Google for a company.
- Use short, neutral asks. Our how to ask customers for reviews scripts avoid stars, rewards, and screening.
- Reply to every review, with specifics, so readers see you listen.
Want help running this? Our Google review management team can set it up.
How to write a review on Google for a company: FAQ
Do I need a Google account to write a review?
Yes. Reviews are public and tied to your Google Account, and Google doesn’t allow anonymous reviews.
Can I edit or delete my Google review?
Yes. In Google Maps, open Your contributions, choose Reviews, click More next to the review, then select Edit review or Delete review. If you edit it, the edit date becomes the review’s post date.
Can I add photos to a Google review?
Yes. The review form has a camera button for photos. Add only your own photos that show your real experience, and follow Google’s content policy.
What is a Local Guide?
Local Guides is Google’s contributor program. Members can earn points for reviews, photos, and videos, but Google doesn’t pay reviewers.
How long should a Google review be?
There’s no required length. Two to four specific sentences usually help readers more than a long essay or a one-word rating.
Can I review a company I work for, or a competitor?
No. Google treats reviews based on a conflict of interest, including current or former employment, family ties, or competitors, as fake engagement and removes them.
Sources (checked October 17, 2026): Google Maps Help: add, edit, or delete reviews; Google: prohibited and restricted content; FTC, 16 CFR Part 465 (2024); BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026. Sample reviews are illustrations, not real customer reviews.