The simplest way to ask customers for Google reviews on WhatsApp is to send one short, polite message soon after a completed order or visit, with a direct link to your review page. Ask every customer in the same way, offer nothing in return, and reply to the reviews you receive. That keeps you within Google’s rules and builds trust over time.
This article is part of our WhatsApp marketing guide for UAE businesses.
Why timing matters
A review request works when the experience is still fresh and the customer has had time to judge it. Ask too early and they have not used the product yet. Ask too late and the memory has faded.
- Restaurants and cafés: the same evening or the next morning.
- Online orders: a day or two after delivery, once the customer has opened the parcel.
- Services (salons, repairs, cleaning): a few hours after the job is finished.
- Longer projects: after handover, when the customer has seen the result.
Send one request per order or visit. A second reminder is optional, and one more is enough.
Sample review request messages
Keep the message short, warm and easy to act on. Three examples:
After a delivery: “Hi Omar, thank you for your order from [business name]. If you have a minute, we would value your honest review on Google: [link]. It helps other customers find us.”
After a visit: “Thank you for visiting [business name] today, Lina. We would appreciate your feedback on Google, whatever your experience: [link].”
In Arabic: write the message natively rather than translating it word for word, and keep the same link.
Google suggests asking customers to use a Google link or scan a QR code to leave a review. Its Business Profile Help page on getting more reviews explains how to create that link.
What Google does not allow
Google’s Maps user-generated content policy sets clear limits for businesses. It says merchants may not:
- Offer incentives, such as payment, discounts, or goods and services at no cost, in exchange for posting a review or for changing or removing a negative one.
- Discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers.
- Require or pressure customers to leave ratings or reviews while on the premises, or ask them to include specific content.
Selectively asking only happy customers is often called “review gating”. A common example is sending a “How did we do?” message and only sharing the Google link with people who answer positively. Under Google’s policy, that is not allowed. Send the same request to everyone.
The policy also says staff should not be asked to collect a set number of reviews or reviews that mention a specific staff member.
Replying to reviews
Replies are public and show future customers how you treat people. Google’s own guidance recommends replies that are polite, short, relevant and not promotional.
- Positive reviews: thank the person and mention a detail from their review.
- Negative reviews: acknowledge the problem, apologise where appropriate and invite them to continue the conversation privately.
- Never share a reviewer’s private information in a reply.
Example reply: “Thank you for your feedback, Rami. We are sorry your order arrived late. We have reviewed our delivery times and would like to make it right. Please message us on WhatsApp.”
Your Google profile also needs to be accurate before you send people to it. Our article on setting up a Google Business Profile in the UAE covers the basics.
Sector notes for clinics
Clinics need extra care, because a review request can reveal that someone is a patient.
- Send requests only to patients who agreed to receive messages from the clinic, and keep the wording general (“your recent visit”), with no mention of the treatment.
- When replying to reviews, never confirm that the reviewer is a patient or discuss any clinical details in public.
- Clinical questions raised in a review or reply should go to a clinician, through a private channel.
- Healthcare advertising in Dubai is regulated by the Dubai Health Authority, so check current DHA rules before featuring reviews in ads.
Review requests are not a channel for urgent concerns. Any message describing an emergency should be directed to 999 (police and ambulance) or 998 (ambulance) straight away.
How Dub Ai helps
With Dub Ai review requests, a short WhatsApp message goes out after a completed order or visit, thanking the customer and sharing a direct link to your review page. You choose the timing and the wording, and the message is sent only once per order or visit, to every customer in the same way.
If a customer replies with a concern, it is passed to your team so they can follow up personally. You can ask your admin agent which customers received a request this week. The Dub Ai team can also set up or review your profile through Google Business Profile setup, including review replies drafted for your approval.
Frequently asked questions
Can I offer a discount for a review?
No. Google’s policy says businesses may not offer incentives, such as payment, discounts or goods and services at no cost, in exchange for posting a review, or for changing or removing a negative one. You can still ask every customer for an honest review. Keep any loyalty offers completely separate from review requests so there is no link between them.
How soon after a visit should I ask?
Ask while the experience is fresh but complete. For a meal or a salon visit, the same day or the next morning works well. For a delivered product, wait a day or two so the customer has used it. Send one request per visit or order, and avoid repeated reminders that can feel like pressure.
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