The single biggest friction point in getting Google reviews is also the easiest to fix: most customers do not know how to find your review page. They would leave a review — if you sent them a direct link that opened the review form with one tap. A Google review link solves that problem. This guide explains three methods to create yours in under five minutes, how to shorten it for SMS, and exactly how to deploy it.

A Google review link is a URL that takes a customer directly to the star-rating interface on your Google Business Profile — bypassing the need to search for your business, find the right listing, and navigate to the review section. When a customer taps your link, the review form opens immediately.

There are two main formats:

  1. The GBP dashboard short link — generated inside your Google Business Profile manager. Looks like: https://g.page/r/[code]/review
  2. The Place ID link — constructed manually using your business's unique Place ID. Looks like: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=[YOUR_PLACE_ID]

Both open the same review form. The GBP dashboard link is shorter and easier to share. The Place ID link is the more reliable fallback — it is programmatically generated, never changes, and works even when the dashboard link is unavailable.

This is the fastest method for most business owners.

  1. Go to business.google.com and sign in.
  2. Select your business location (if you manage multiple, pick the right one).
  3. In the left sidebar or on the overview page, look for "Get more reviews" or "Share review form." The wording varies slightly depending on your interface — it may appear as a card on the dashboard.
  4. Click the option. A box will appear with a short link in the format https://g.page/r/[code]/review.
  5. Copy the link.

That is your Google review short link. It is already short enough to include in a text message (under 45 characters) and works on both iOS and Android.

When to use this method: For most businesses, this is the link to use in SMS review requests, email signatures, and QR codes. It is verified, official, and maintained by Google.

Method 2: Build It from Your Place ID (Most Reliable)

The Place ID is a unique identifier Google assigns to every business in its database. It never changes, even if your business name or address changes. This makes it the most reliable foundation for a review link.

Step 1: Find Your Place ID

Go to the Google Place ID Finder. Type your business name and city in the search box. Your Place ID will appear next to your business listing — it is an alphanumeric string starting with ChIJ (for most US businesses). Copy it.

Example Place ID: ChIJr_xQFA9pEg0RUp4U1za0A0o

Step 2: Build the Review URL

Paste your Place ID into this URL format:

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID

So the full link looks like:

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJr_xQFA9pEg0RUp4U1za0A0o

Step 3: Test It

Click the link yourself, in an incognito window. It should open a Google page with your business name and a five-star rating selector. If it does not, verify the Place ID — the most common error is an extra character or space.

Step 4: Shorten It for SMS

The raw Place ID URL is too long for SMS (it will be split across two message segments, increasing cost and reducing readability). Shorten it using a URL shortener before embedding in SMS templates. Bitly and TinyURL both work. Many review automation platforms handle this shortening automatically.

When to use this method: If the GBP dashboard method produces a broken link, if you are managing review links for multiple locations programmatically, or if you want a permanent link that will not change if Google updates its dashboard interface.

BrightLocal's Google Review Link and Place ID Generator is a free tool that finds your Place ID and generates the review link in one step. Enter your business name and address, click generate, and copy the result. This is useful if you do not want to navigate the Google developer console.

If your review link is more than 30–35 characters, shorten it before sending via SMS. Long URLs in SMS messages:

  • Consume more characters, potentially pushing your message to two segments (doubling cost)
  • Look unprofessional
  • Are less likely to be tapped than short, clean links

Tools that work:

  • Bitly: Creates links like bit.ly/abc123. Free tier allows custom slugs like bit.ly/ReviewMikeHVAC.
  • TinyURL: One-click shortening, no account required.
  • Your review platform's built-in shortener: Many platforms (including GBP Autopilot) shorten review links automatically and track click-through rates per customer.

Important for SMS compliance: A shortened link that resolves to your review page is fine. A link that redirects through a third-party that logs data without disclosure may require an update to your privacy notice. Check with your platform provider if unsure.

Once you have your link, here are every place it should live:

In SMS Review Requests

The primary use case. A text message with your review link, sent within a few hours of service completion, is the highest-converting review collection method for local service businesses. For timing, templates, and TCPA compliance rules, see Google Review Request Templates and How to Ask for Reviews.

Example SMS:

Hi Maria, thanks for choosing Apex Plumbing today. We'd love your honest feedback — it takes about 30 seconds: [SHORT LINK]. Reply STOP to opt out.

In Email Signatures

Add a one-liner at the bottom of every outgoing email: "Happy with our service? Leave us a Google review: [link]." This is a passive but consistent source of reviews from existing customers.

On Printed Receipts and Invoices

A QR code that encodes your review link is easy to add to a receipt footer or the bottom of an invoice. Customers who pay in person and are satisfied can scan and review before they leave.

As a QR Code on Your Counter or Vehicle

Print your review link as a QR code. Tools like QR Code Generator are free. Put the QR code on:

  • The front desk or service counter
  • Vehicle wraps or decals
  • Leave-behinds (branded pens, magnets, thank-you cards)

On Your Website

Add a "Review Us on Google" button to your homepage or thank-you page. Use anchor text like "Leave a Google Review" rather than hiding it behind a generic "Feedback" label.

In Post-Appointment Follow-Up Emails

Embed the link in a thank-you email sent the day after service. Keep the CTA clear and above the fold — do not bury it at the bottom of a long email.

If you have one business location, one link is all you need.

If you have multiple locations, each location has its own Place ID and its own review profile. Every location needs its own link. A customer of your Northside location who clicks a link to your Downtown location will leave a review on the wrong profile — useless for ranking and confusing for future customers. Multi-location businesses should manage review links per location, ideally in a spreadsheet or platform that associates each link with the correct location in your CRM.

Step-by-Step Quick Reference

To get your Google review link in under 5 minutes:

  1. Sign in to business.google.com
  2. Find the "Get more reviews" or "Share review form" card
  3. Copy the link (starts with https://g.page/r/...)
  4. Paste it into a notes file and label it with your business name and date created
  5. Test it in an incognito window to confirm it opens the review form
  6. Shorten it if it will be used in SMS
  7. Add it to: your SMS template, email signature, receipt footer, and website

If the dashboard link does not work:

  1. Go to developers.google.com/maps/documentation/places/web-service/place-id
  2. Search for your business name
  3. Copy your Place ID (starts with ChIJ...)
  4. Build the link: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID
  5. Test in incognito and shorten for SMS

Common Problems and Fixes

"The link opens a Google search page, not the review form." Your Place ID may be incorrect, or the GBP dashboard link is tied to an account that has since been merged or transferred. Use the Place ID method to generate a fresh link.

"The link works on desktop but not on mobile." This is a Google Maps app behavior on Android. Some versions route through the Maps app rather than the browser. Test on both iOS and Android. The search.google.com/local/writereview format works on both.

"I have two Google Business Profile listings for the same location." This is a duplicate listing problem. Do not create a review link for a duplicate — it will split your reviews across two profiles, weakening both. Resolve the duplicate first via business.google.com and then create one canonical review link.

"My review link changed after I updated my business name." The Place ID method is immune to this — Place IDs do not change. The GBP dashboard link may update when profile details change. Always keep a fallback Place ID link documented.

Sources

GBP Autopilot generates and manages your review link automatically, embeds it in every SMS request sent to customers, and tracks who clicked and who reviewed. Plans from $29/mo, no contracts. Get started.