How to get more Google reviews as a plumber

Google ranks local results on three things: relevance, distance and prominence, and reviews feed into prominence. In Google's own words, "More reviews and positive ratings can help your business's local ranking." It also says there's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking.

Reviews also do a job ranking can't. Someone with a leak under the sink is choosing between three or four names on a map. Recent reviews that mention the kind of job they need, and replies that show you care, help them pick you.

Google itself says that a mix of positive and negative feedback often feels more trustworthy. A steady flow of honest reviews beats a handful of perfect ones.

Google gives you a review link and a QR code for free, so you don't need a third-party tool. It takes about two minutes:

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. 4Save the link as a text shortcut on your phone so you can send it in seconds.

Google says review QR codes can only be generated in a browser on a computer, not on mobile. Print it on invoices, work orders, business cards or a sticker on the truck. Customers need to be signed in to a Google Account to leave a review, but Google notes they can set one up with a non-Gmail email address.

Ask every customer on the day the job is done, by text or email, with your review link. These rules keep you inside Google's policy:

• Ask every customer, not just the ones you think are happy. Google's policy says merchants must not selectively solicit positive reviews.
• Ask when the job's done and working, then send the link the same day. A text is easiest; Google also suggests email.
• Don't stand over them while they write it. Google says merchants shouldn't require or pressure customers to leave reviews on the spot, or ask them to include specific content.
• Keep it short and personal. Use your name and mention the job.

Example message to adapt

"Hi Sarah, it's Dan from Dan's Plumbing. Thanks for having me over to fix the leak today. If you've got a minute, I'd be grateful for an honest review on Google: [your link]. Thanks, Dan"

Leave out anything that sounds like a reward, such as "10% off your next job", and don't ask for five stars. Ask for an honest review.

For service businesses, Google may ask reviewers which tasks you did, taken from your service list, your website or a standard list for your business type. If a job type is missing, you can add it to your service list.

Add the jobs you want to be found for, such as leak repairs, water heater installs, drain cleaning and repiping. Reviews that say what you did are more useful to the next customer reading them.

Fake reviews, insider reviews without disclosure, rewards tied to a positive review, and threats to get reviews taken down all break the FTC's Trade Regulation Rule on consumer reviews and testimonials, which took effect in October 2024. Google's content policy goes further than the rule in some places, such as banning any incentive for a review.

Sources: the rule text in the Code of Federal Regulations, the FTC's announcement and Google's maps user contributed content policy. This is a summary, not legal advice.

Google can restrict your Business Profile on top of removing the fake reviews: block new reviews for a set time, unpublish your existing reviews for a set time, or show a warning telling customers that fake reviews were removed.

Google says it emails the owner before applying a restriction, and you can appeal. The bigger risk is the FTC. The rule lets it seek civil penalties against businesses that knowingly break it, so a few bought reviews are not worth what they could cost.

Reply briefly, politely and without selling. Google's own tips on replying work well for plumbers:

• Keep it short and simple. Google says people might stop reading a long reply before the main point.
• Don't sell. Google says to be conversational, not promotional, and to avoid offering deals in replies.
• Never share a reviewer's private information, such as their address or what was wrong in their home.
• Acknowledge mistakes and apologize when appropriate, but don't take responsibility for things outside your control.
• Personalize it. Use the reviewer's name and mention what they said.

For a bad review, reply once, calmly, and offer to sort it out privately: "Sorry the faucet's still dripping, Mark. Please call me on the usual number and I'll come back and look at it." Future customers read the reply as much as the review.

Only if it breaks Google's policies, for example if it's fake, offensive or about a different business. Google says do not 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, such as spam, and send the report.
4. 4Wait for the outcome. Google says review evaluation typically takes several days, and you can check the status in its Reviews Management Tool.

If an honest bad review stays up, a good reply and a steady flow of new reviews from other customers is the best answer.

Reviews come from jobs, and jobs come from calls. In a CallRail survey of 1,000 US consumers, 82% said they'll call a competitor if a business doesn't answer, and that competitor gets the job and the review. Our guide on why customers call the next contractor looks at what happens to those callers, and what missed calls cost a plumber shows how to put a number on it.

Ringzel is an AI answering service for plumbers and other small businesses that answers every call you forward to it, 24/7. You keep your number and forward the calls you can't take while you're mid-job or driving. It answers in your business name, tells the caller it's automated and asks your questions, such as the address, what's happening and whether the water's off. It sorts urgent from routine, follows your instructions for emergencies and sends you the recording, the transcript, a summary and a check report for every call.

Plans cost $99, $179 or $299 a month. Professional and Premium add bookings into your calendar and call transfers. Details are on our pricing page.