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SMS Review Request Templates: 20 Text Messages That Get 5-Star Reviews

By Mike Hass · April 15, 2026 · Updated September 23, 2026

If you are still relying solely on email to ask customers for Google reviews, you are leaving your best channel on the table. Text messages are typically read far more often and far faster than email, and they land on the same device customers use to leave a Google review. For small businesses trying to build a strong online reputation, that kind of engagement is transformative.

The challenge is knowing exactly what to say. A review request text message needs to be short, personal, and make it effortless for the customer to act. In this guide, you will find 20 ready-to-use SMS review request templates organized by scenario, along with best practices to maximize your response rate and stay compliant with regulations.

SMS review request text message templates

Why SMS Is the Best Channel for Review Requests

Before diving into the templates, here is why text messages outperform every other review request method:

  • High open rates: Most text messages get read, while many emails never get opened. Your request will not get buried in a crowded inbox.
  • Read quickly: Customers usually see your message soon after it arrives, which means they act while the experience is still fresh.
  • Higher conversion rates: Because more people see and act on texts, SMS review requests typically deliver more reviews per request sent than email.
  • Mobile-native experience: Customers are already on their phone. One tap takes them straight to your Google review page with no friction.
  • Personal and direct: Text messages feel more personal than email, which increases trust and willingness to help.

General Post-Service Templates

These versatile SMS review request templates work for virtually any business right after completing a service or sale.

1. Hi [Name], thanks for choosing [Business]! We'd love your feedback. Could you leave us a quick review? [Link]
2. [Name], thank you for visiting [Business] today! We'd love to hear how it went. A Google review would mean the world to us: [Link]
3. Thanks for your business, [Name]! How did we do? Tap here to share your experience: [Link] - [Business]
4. Hi [Name], it was great serving you at [Business]. Your opinion helps others find us. Leave a review here: [Link]
5. [Name], thanks for coming to [Business]! An honest review helps us grow: [Link] Thank you!

Industry-Specific Templates

Tailoring your review request text message to your industry adds a personal touch that boosts response rates. Here are templates for five common business types.

Restaurant

6. Hi [Name], thanks for dining with us at [Restaurant]! How was your meal? We'd love a review: [Link]

Dental Practice

7. [Name], thanks for your visit to [Dental Practice]. We hope you had a comfortable experience! Share your thoughts: [Link]

Auto Repair

8. Hi [Name], your vehicle is all set! How did we do at [Shop Name]? Tell others about it: [Link]

Home Services

9. [Name], thanks for choosing [Business]! How did the job go? A review would help us a lot: [Link]

Salon / Spa

10. Hi [Name], thanks for visiting [Salon Name]! How do you like your new look? We'd appreciate a quick review: [Link] Thanks!

Follow-Up and Reminder Templates

Not everyone responds to the first message. A gentle follow-up sent 2-3 days later can significantly increase your review count. Keep reminders friendly and never pushy.

11. Hi [Name], just checking in from [Business]. If you have a moment, we'd still love your feedback: [Link]
12. [Name], we noticed you haven't had a chance to review [Business] yet. It only takes 30 seconds: [Link]
13. Quick reminder from [Business]: your feedback helps other customers find us. Share your experience here: [Link]
14. Hi [Name], your opinion matters to us at [Business]! If you have a minute, we'd love to hear from you: [Link]
15. [Name], one last nudge from [Business]! A quick review makes a big difference for our small business: [Link]

Personal Thank-You Templates

A warm, personal thank-you can make your request stand out. Use these templates as your standard message for every customer, not just the ones who complimented your team. Google's policies prohibit selectively asking only happy customers for reviews, so whatever template you choose, send it to everyone.

16. [Name], thanks so much for coming in! Would you mind sharing your feedback on Google? [Link] - [Business]
17. Thanks for choosing us, [Name]! It would mean a lot if you could share your experience on Google: [Link] - [Business]
18. Hi [Name], thanks for trusting us with your project! An honest review helps others discover [Business]: [Link]
19. [Name], it was great working with you! If you have 30 seconds, a Google review would really help us out: [Link]
20. Thanks for supporting a small business, [Name]! Your review means everything to us: [Link] - [Business]

SMS Review Request Best Practices

Having the right templates is only half the equation. Follow these best practices to maximize response rates and protect your business.

Get Your Timing Right

Send your review request text message within 1-2 hours of the completed service while the experience is still top of mind. For appointment-based businesses, 30 minutes to one hour after the visit is the sweet spot. Avoid texting before 9 AM or after 8 PM in the customer's time zone.

Personalize Every Message

Always include the customer's first name and your business name. Personalized text messages see significantly higher engagement than generic ones. If possible, reference the specific service they received for an even stronger connection.

Include a Direct Review Link

Never ask a customer to "go to Google and search for our business." Include a direct link to your Google review page so they can leave a review in just two taps. You can generate your direct review link from your Google Business Profile, or paste in your Feedback Guru link, which counts visits and lets every customer rate their experience before continuing to Google.

Keep It Under 160 Characters

A single SMS segment is 160 characters. Messages that exceed this limit get split into multiple texts, which can look unprofessional and confuse customers. If you absolutely need more space, keep it under 320 characters so it arrives as no more than two segments.

Do Not Spam

Send one initial request and at most one follow-up reminder. Sending multiple texts to the same customer will annoy them, damage your reputation, and potentially violate regulations. If a customer does not respond after two messages, move on.

Comply with TCPA Regulations

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires that you obtain prior express written consent before sending marketing or review request text messages. You must also include a clear opt-out mechanism in every message (such as "Reply STOP to unsubscribe") and honor opt-out requests immediately. Violations can result in fines of $500-$1,500 per message. If you use a texting platform, make sure it records consent and processes STOP replies automatically.

Always Include Your Business Name

Customers receive texts from unknown numbers regularly. Always identify your business in the message so the recipient knows who is contacting them and why. This builds trust and prevents your message from being dismissed as spam.

How to Use Feedback Guru With Your Text Messages

Feedback Guru does not send text messages for you. You send the texts from your own phone or texting tool, and use your Feedback Guru link as the [Link] in any of the templates above. Here is what that link adds:

  • One Link Per Location: Each location gets a unique feedback link you can paste into any text, email, or receipt, plus a printable QR code for in-person requests.
  • Rate, Then Review: Every customer who taps the link rates their experience. Customers who choose 4 or 5 stars go straight to your Google review page. Customers who rate lower can send you private feedback, so you hear about problems directly and can fix them and follow up, and are then also invited to leave a Google review.
  • Email Alerts: You get an email for each rating or piece of feedback submitted through your link, so you can respond quickly.
  • Visit and Rating Analytics: Your dashboard counts visits to your link (including QR scans) and shows your ratings and feedback over time.

The free plan collects up to 2 reviews per week with unlimited locations and no credit card, and the Pro plan ($9.90/month) removes the weekly cap. Getting started takes less than five minutes.

SMS vs. Email for Review Requests

Both channels have their place, but SMS usually has the edge for review collection:

  • Open rate: Texts are opened far more consistently than emails, which often sit unread.
  • Response time: Texts are usually read within minutes; emails can wait hours or days.
  • Review completion rate: Because more people see texts right away, SMS requests generally produce more reviews per message sent.
  • Best for: SMS excels at quick, time-sensitive requests. Email works better for detailed follow-ups and customers who prefer a less direct approach.

The most effective strategy is to use both channels together. Send an SMS request first for the highest chance of immediate action, and follow up with an email for customers who did not respond to the text. You can use the same Feedback Guru link in both your texts and your emails, so all your requests lead to one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to send SMS review requests to customers?

Yes, but you must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Customers must give prior express written consent before you send them marketing or review request text messages. Always include an opt-out option in your messages and honor unsubscribe requests immediately. Keep a record of each customer's consent in whatever texting tool or CRM you use to send messages.

When is the best time to send a review request via text?

The best time to send an SMS review request is within 1-2 hours of the completed service or purchase, while the experience is still fresh. Avoid sending texts before 9 AM or after 8 PM in the customer's local time zone. For appointment-based businesses, sending the request 30 minutes to one hour after the appointment ends tends to produce the highest response rates.

How many characters should an SMS review request be?

Keep your SMS review requests under 160 characters whenever possible. This ensures the message is delivered as a single text rather than being split into multiple messages, which can look unprofessional and reduce response rates. If you need more space, stay under 320 characters to limit the message to two segments.

What response rate can I expect from SMS review requests?

Response rates vary widely by industry, customer base, and how the request is written, so treat any single benchmark with caution. In general, text messages are read more often and more quickly than emails, so SMS requests tend to outperform email. The key factors affecting your rate are timing, personalization, and how easy you make it to leave the review.

Can I send SMS review requests to all my customers at once?

No, avoid sending bulk review requests to all customers simultaneously. Google may flag a sudden spike in reviews as suspicious, which could result in reviews being removed. Instead, make asking part of your routine: send each customer a request individually after their visit or purchase, so every customer is asked and reviews arrive steadily.

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