How to Create a QR Code for Google Reviews
Get your Google review link, turn it into a QR code, and place it where happy customers will use it, while staying within Google's review policies.
Most satisfied customers never leave a review, not because they don't want to, but because nobody made it easy at the right moment. A QR code on the receipt, the counter or the delivery note turns "I should really review them" into a ten-second task.
This guide shows how to get your official review link from Google, turn it into a well-designed QR code, and place it where it does the most good, without breaking the rules that protect review platforms.
What you need
- A Google Business Profile for your business that you manage (verified and showing on Google Search and Maps).
- A computer. Google's own review QR code and link are generated from the Business Profile on a computer browser.
- About ten minutes.
Step 1: Get your review link from Google
According to Google's Business Profile help, the process is:
- Sign in and open your Business Profile (you can search for your business name on Google while signed in, or go through business.google.com).
- Open the reviews section and choose the option to get more reviews (it has a share icon).
- Copy the review link. Google also offers a ready-made QR code here that you can save as an image.
The link opens a review form for your business directly, so customers don't have to search for you on Maps first.
Google's menus change from time to time. If the wording on your screen differs, look for "Ask for reviews" or "Get more reviews" in your profile's reviews area.
Step 2: Turn the link into a branded QR code
Google's own QR code works, but you may want one that matches your printed materials, has your logo, or comes in a vector format for a print shop. Paste the review link into our URL QR code generator, then:
- Pick your darkest brand colour for the modules, on a white background.
- Add your logo if you like; the generator raises error correction automatically.
- Check the scan test passes.
- Download SVG or PDF for printed items and PNG for digital use.
Before printing, scan the code with your phone. You should see your business name at the top of a review form.
Should you track review-code scans?
Review links point to Google, not your website, so campaign tags won't show up in your own analytics. If you want to know which placement drives reviews, a simple approach is to watch your review count before and after adding codes to a particular spot, one change at a time.
Step 3: Place it at the happy moment
Timing matters more than design. Ask when the customer has just experienced the best part of what you do.
| Business | Good moments and places |
|---|---|
| Restaurant or café | Bill folder, receipt, takeaway bag |
| Salon or clinic | Aftercare card, checkout desk |
| Trades and home services | Invoice, job-completion sheet, van door |
| Shop | Receipt, packaging insert, counter display |
| Hotel or rental | Checkout card, welcome book, room info sheet |
| Online orders | Packing slip in the parcel |
Pair the code with a short, honest request: "Enjoyed your visit? We'd love a Google review." Keep it friendly and neutral.
Step 4: Stay within the review rules
Google's content policies for Maps reviews are clear about a few things that can get reviews removed or a profile penalised:
- No incentives. Don't offer discounts, free items, entry into prize draws or any other benefit in exchange for a review. Google's policy on incentivized reviews covers payments, discounts and free goods or services.
- No pressure for a particular rating. Google's rating-manipulation policy prohibits coercing or pressuring customers for specific ratings or reviews. "Please leave us 5 stars" crosses into that territory; "please tell others about your experience" doesn't.
- No fake or staff reviews. Employees, owners and relatives shouldn't review the business.
A useful principle: ask everyone, equally, for honest feedback. Don't send happy customers to Google and unhappy ones somewhere else.
Design and print tips
- Size: at least 2 cm on a receipt or card; 4 to 6 cm on a counter display.
- Label it clearly with the word "Google" so people know where it leads.
- Leave the quiet zone clear around the code; receipts often crowd text right up to it.
- Thermal receipt printers produce lower contrast and can fade. Test a printed receipt, and consider a slightly larger code.
- Laminated counter cards cause glare; matte works better.
Responding to reviews
More reviews means more feedback to respond to. Replying politely to both positive and negative reviews shows prospective customers that you listen. Keep responses short, specific and calm, and never share a customer's private details in a public reply.
Troubleshooting
The code opens Google Maps but not the review form. You may have used your Maps listing link instead of the review link. Go back to the "get more reviews" option and copy that link.
The code scans but says the business can't be found. The profile may not be verified or published yet.
Customers say the code doesn't scan. Check size, print contrast and glare, especially on receipts. See why QR codes stop working.
Example wording you can use
Short, neutral and specific works best. Some lines that fit on receipts, cards and counter signs:
- "Enjoyed your visit? Tell others on Google." (receipt or bill folder)
- "How did we do? Scan to leave a Google review." (counter card)
- "Your feedback helps local customers find us. Scan to review us on Google." (packing slip)
- "Thanks for choosing us. If you have a minute, we'd value an honest review." (follow-up card from a trade or service visit)
Avoid wording that steers the rating ("5-star reviews help us most") or links the review to a reward ("Review us for 10% off"). Both run against Google's review policies.
A simple rollout plan
- Week 1: add the code to receipts or invoices only. Note your review count.
- Week 3: add a counter card or bag insert. Compare the change.
- Ongoing: reply to new reviews within a few days, and remind staff they can mention the code when a customer is clearly happy.
Changing one thing at a time tells you which placement actually helps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google's own QR code good enough?
Yes, functionally. Make your own only if you want branding, a different file format, or a code that matches the rest of your print design.
Can I put the review code on my website?
You can, but on a website a normal link or button is easier to use than a QR code. Use codes for physical items.
Will the review link ever change?
Google may change how review links work over time. Scan your printed codes occasionally to confirm they still open the review form.
Summary
Get the official review link from your Google Business Profile on a computer, turn it into a clear, branded code, place it at the moment customers are happiest, and ask everyone for honest feedback with no incentives attached. Make your review QR code here.
Sources and further reading
QRaft Editorial Team
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