How private clinics get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)

They help patients choose and help you appear when people search nearby. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking, alongside relevance and distance, and there's no way to pay for a better local position.

Reviews also answer the questions a new patient can't ask until they ring: whether the practitioner listens, whether appointments run on time, whether the clinic is easy to get to. A recent review that mentions the treatment someone needs is often what makes them call.

A spotless record isn't the aim. Google says a mix of positive and negative feedback often feels more trustworthy. A steady flow of honest reviews, with calm replies, does more than a few perfect ones.

From your Google Business Profile. Google provides a direct review link and a QR code for free.

1. 1Sign in to the Google Account you use for your Business Profile and open your profile.
2. 2Select Read reviews, then Get more reviews.
3. 3Copy the link to share it, or save the QR code image.
4. 4Add the link to your end-of-treatment email or text, so it goes out without anyone having to remember.

Google says the QR code can only be made in a browser on a computer. A small card at reception works for patients who prefer to scan. Reviewers need to be signed in to a Google Account, which they can create with a non-Gmail email address.

At the end of a course of treatment, in writing, with the link, and the same way for every patient.

• Ask when treatment is complete or at a natural point, such as the final appointment of a course.
• Send the link the same day by text or email, from the practitioner or the clinic.
• Ask for an honest review, not a five-star one, and don't suggest what to write. Google says businesses shouldn't ask customers to include specific content.
• Don't ask in the treatment room or while the patient is still on the couch. That can feel like pressure.
• Ask once, and perhaps remind once. No more.

Use the same rule for everyone. A clinic might reasonably decide that some kinds of appointment shouldn't trigger a review request at all, such as sensitive treatments. That's fine as a rule by treatment type. It isn't fine to pick and choose by how happy each patient seems, which is the cherry-picking Google's policy and CMA guidance both prohibit.

Reminders and review requests should stay separate from offers. The ICO treats appointment messages as service messages, but adding a promotion makes a message direct marketing. Our guide to clinic cancellations and no-shows covers reminders in more detail.

Example message to adapt

"Hi Tom, thanks for coming to see us over the last few weeks. If you have a minute, we'd be grateful for an honest review on Google: [your link]. It helps other people find the right clinic. Best wishes, Priya at [clinic name]"

For service businesses, Google may ask reviewers which services you provided, drawn from your service list, your website or a standard list. Add each treatment you want to be found for, such as sports massage, back pain assessment or nail surgery.

A review that names the treatment is more useful to the next person reading it. It's also one more reason to keep your service list accurate.

Fake reviews, incentives, selective asking and putting people off leaving negative reviews. Since April 2025, fake reviews and paid-for reviews that aren't clearly marked as incentivised have been banned practices under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Google's content policy goes further in places.

The CMA's fake reviews guidance also covers testimonials you show on your website or social media. If Google finds fake reviews, it can restrict your profile: stop new reviews, remove existing ones or show a warning.

Briefly, kindly and without confirming anything about the patient or their care. Your duty of confidentiality doesn't end because a patient has posted in public.

For doctors, the GMC's guidance on responding to criticism in the media, which covers social media, says you must not put information you learned in confidence about a patient in the public domain without their explicit consent, and that you should usually limit a public response to explaining your duty of confidentiality. The HCPC's guidance on social media asks registrants such as physiotherapists, podiatrists and other allied health professionals to treat information about service users as confidential. Other regulators have similar expectations, so check yours.

• Thank people for positive reviews in general terms, without mentioning their treatment.
• For a negative review, reply once, calmly, and invite the person to contact the clinic directly.
• Don't confirm they're a patient, correct their account or mention anything about their care.
• Don't argue. Future patients read your reply as closely as the review.

Example reply to a negative review

"Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. We can't discuss anyone's care in a public forum, but we take every concern seriously and would welcome the chance to talk. Please contact the clinic manager directly on our usual number."

That reply works whether or not the reviewer is a patient, and it shows other readers how you deal with problems. Google's own tips on replying also suggest keeping replies short and never sharing private details.

Only if it breaks Google's policies, for example if it's fake, offensive or about a different business. Google says not to report a review just because you disagree with it.

1. 1Open your Business Profile and select Read reviews.
2. 2Find the review and select Report.
3. 3Choose the reason it breaks policy and send the report.
4. 4Wait for the outcome. Google says checks usually take several days, and you can appeal once.

If an honest bad review stays up, a calm reply and a steady flow of new reviews from other patients is the best answer. If you're considering anything more, the GMC advises doctors to seek advice from their professional or defence body, or a solicitor, first.