Reviews · 2026-08-21

How to Create a Google Review Link and QR Code for Your Business

Why the link format matters

Google requires merchants to use the official, unmasked review link generated from their Google Business Profile. The two accepted formats are:

• g.page/r/[YourID]/review
• https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=[YourPlaceID]

Using shortened, masked, or redirected URLs can result in reviews being blocked by Google's security filters (Google Business Profile policy, April 2026 update). This means generic link shorteners, custom domain redirects, and third-party "review funnel" pages that wrap the Google URL all carry risk.

Finding your official link

Open your Google Business Profile dashboard (business.google.com), navigate to "Ask for reviews" under the Home tab, and copy the link Google provides. This is the canonical URL. If you manage multiple locations, each branch has its own link tied to its own Place ID.

Alternatively, search for your business on Google, click your listing, and use the "Write a review" button URL. The Place ID in the URL is what identifies your specific location.

Creating a QR code

Any QR code generator that produces a standard QR code from a URL will work — the important thing is that the underlying URL is your official Google review link, not a wrapper or redirect. Print it on receipts, table cards, or invoices at a size that scans reliably.

However, set realistic expectations about QR code performance. QR codes suffer from multi-step friction: the customer must scan, wait for the page to load, and log in to their Google account. Typical completion rates are 3–8% (Shopify and Zonka Feedback benchmarks, grade b). Compare that to a WhatsApp message containing the same link — where click-through rates reach 45–60% using native quick-reply buttons (Wylto 2026 performance benchmark, 2.3 million campaigns, grade b).

QR codes work best as a passive supplement, not a primary collection channel.

Multi-location businesses

If you operate multiple branches, each branch needs its own Google Business Profile and its own review link. Sending a customer to the wrong branch's review page puts the review on the profile for a location they did not visit, leaving the relevant branch's profile thinner.

For businesses running review requests through WhatsApp, this means the message must route to the correct branch link based on which location the customer interacted with.

What not to do with the link

Do not wrap it in a sentiment filter. Routing the link through a page that asks "How was your experience?" and only showing the Google link to customers who select 4–5 stars is review gating — illegal under UK law (DMCCA 2024, enforced from April 2025) and a violation of Google's policies. Every customer must receive the same link.

Do not mask it behind a redirect. Even well-intentioned redirects (for tracking clicks, for example) risk triggering Google's security filters.

Do not embed it on shared devices. A tablet at your reception desk inviting customers to leave reviews on the spot violates Google's on-premises solicitation policy. Multiple reviews originating from the same physical location or IP address can trigger automated spam detection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my Google review link?

In your Google Business Profile dashboard at business.google.com, under the Home tab, click "Ask for reviews." Google provides a pre-generated link in the format g.page/r/[YourID]/review. This is the link to share.

Can I use a link shortener for my Google review URL?

Google recommends using the official, unmasked format. Shortened or redirected URLs can be blocked by Google's security filters. If you need a cleaner URL, use the g.page short link format that Google itself provides, rather than a third-party shortener.

How effective are QR codes for collecting Google reviews?

QR codes typically achieve 3–8% completion rates due to multi-step friction — scanning, loading, and logging in (Shopify and Zonka Feedback benchmarks, grade b). They work as a passive supplement alongside more direct channels. A WhatsApp message with the review link achieves 45–60% click-through (Wylto 2026, grade b).