To post feedback on a business in Google, open Maps, choose the place, tap Reviews, pick stars, write your comments, and publish.
Public ratings help people pick a clinic, café, or contractor with confidence. This guide shows every path to write a rating and comments on phone or desktop, how to add photos, what the rules allow, and the fix when the review button won’t appear. You’ll also get paste-ready templates and phrasing tips that keep your words useful without sounding promotional.
Leave A Review On Google—Step-By-Step
There isn’t just one route. You can post through the Google Maps app, a browser, a direct link from the business, or your own Contribute tab. Pick the path that fits your device and how you found the place.
| Method | Where You Tap/Click | When To Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Maps App (Android/iOS) | Search place > Reviews > Rate & review | Fast mobile posting with photos |
| Maps On Desktop | Search place > Reviews section > Write a review | Comfortable typing on a keyboard |
| Direct Link From Business | Open link > Pick stars > Write comments | When a shop texts or emails a review link |
| Your Profile > Contribute | Contribute > Review your recent places | Batch reviews for places you visited |
Post From The Maps App (Phone)
The Google Maps app is the quickest route on Android or iPhone. Make sure you’re signed in with the account you want to use, then walk through these steps.
Find The Exact Listing
Open Maps, enter the business name, and pick the precise location. Many brands run several spots with near-matching names. Confirm the street, city, and hours so your feedback lands on the right page.
Open The Reviews Panel
Scroll to the star rating and tap “Rate and review.” If you see ratings but no button, the listing may have limits, the place might be outside your region, or your account isn’t eligible yet. Use the same account you used during the visit when possible.
Choose The Star Rating
Pick 1–5 stars based on your experience that day. Ratings reflect a single visit. If you’ve gone multiple times, speak to the most recent visit and add context in the text box.
Write Clear, Helpful Text
Short, specific sentences work best: what you ordered or needed, what went well, what didn’t, and how the staff handled it. Skip private info about you or others. Keep it factual and grounded in what you saw.
Add Photos Or A Short Clip
Tap the camera icon to attach shots of the meal, room, menu, or product. Crisp, well-lit images help other readers. Avoid faces of people who didn’t consent and avoid posting receipts that show card numbers or barcodes.
Publish And Edit Later
Tap Post. You can edit or delete your text later from the Contribute tab. Star ratings can be changed too, which helps when a business resolves an issue.
Post From A Computer
On a laptop or desktop, head to google.com/maps. Sign in, search the place, and scroll to the review panel on the left. Click “Write a review,” select your stars, enter text, add photos, and publish. The flow mirrors mobile, just with a wider editor.
What Google Allows In Reviews
User-contributed content on Maps follows rules that keep reviews useful and safe. Content that includes harassment, hate speech, or conflicts of interest can be removed. So can off-topic promos or links to unsafe downloads. For the full list, read Google’s user-contributed content policy. It’s written in plain language with clear do’s and don’ts.
Safe, Useful Content Ideas
- Specifics about service, product quality, wait time, parking, and staff tone
- Neutral wording that sticks to what happened
- Photos of the space, menu, product details, or wheelchair access
- Updates after a fix or follow-up from the owner
What To Leave Out
- Private info (phone numbers, health data, full names without consent)
- Copy-pasted promos, referral codes, or links to downloads
- Conflicts of interest (your own business, your employer, or paid posts)
- Profanity, slurs, or threats
Post A Customer Review On Google—Clear Workflow
If you like a straight list, here’s a clean workflow you can run any time you rate a place. It keeps your writing tight and helpful.
1) Set The Scene
Mention date, time, and purpose: “Saturday brunch at 11,” “Same-day tire repair,” or “Weeknight pickup order.” That context helps readers compare similar visits.
2) Share The Core Details
Note what you bought or needed, how long it took, and any staff interactions. Include prices only if they appear on a public menu or sign.
3) Be Fair And Specific
Point out wins and misses without exaggeration. Mention how the staff handled any hiccups and whether you’d return. That tone builds trust with readers and owners.
4) Add Helpful Media
Share photos that answer common questions: parking, seating, lighting, portion size, labels, or accessibility. Crop out any private info before posting.
5) Proof And Post
Scan for typos, remove names of private individuals, and post. If the owner replies and resolves the issue, update your text so the story is complete.
Can’t See The “Write A Review” Button?
Sometimes the button hides or a review won’t publish. These checks clear the most common blockers.
Confirm The Listing Type
Some categories don’t display public ratings. A private address, a pure online-only shop without a storefront, or a listing flagged under sensitive categories may limit public feedback.
Switch The Account
Tap your avatar and switch to the account that actually visited. Managed work profiles can restrict posting. Try a personal account on the same device.
Check Network And App Version
A weak connection or an outdated app can stop submission. Update the Maps app and try again on Wi-Fi. On desktop, refresh the page and sign out and back in.
Keep Within The Rules
If your text includes a banned element, the system may filter it. Remove links, swear words, or personal data and post again. The policy link above is the reference.
Examples You Can Copy
Short on time? Paste one of these and tweak the details so it reflects your visit. Keep names generic unless staff wear visible name tags.
Restaurant Template
“Weeknight dinner around 7. Ordered the grilled chicken bowl and a latte. Food arrived in 10 minutes, fresh and well seasoned. Staff checked on us once. Music a bit loud near the counter. Prices matched the menu online. Would return for the patio seating.”
Home Service Template
“Booked a same-day drain clean. Tech arrived within the quoted window, wore shoe covers, and explained options clearly. Job finished in 45 minutes. Upfront pricing matched the estimate. Left the area tidy. I’d book again if the warranty holds up.”
Healthcare Template
“New patient visit on Tuesday morning. Front desk moved briskly and wait was 12 minutes. Nurse listened and outlined next steps. Exam room clean. Billing matched the info sheet. Parking tight; arrive early. I plan to keep my follow-up.”
Write With Confidence (Without Sounding Promotional)
Balanced language earns trust. Here are phrasing swaps that keep your tone steady and useful.
Helpful Phrasing Swaps
- “Service was friendly” → “Host greeted us within two minutes and checked on our table once.”
- “Long wait” → “Quoted 20–30 minutes; sat at 28.”
- “Overpriced” → “Entrées ranged from $22–$28; portions matched the photos.”
- “Bad quality” → “Zipper failed on day three; staff offered a swap without a fee.”
What Readers Value Most
- Timing details (check-in to service, service to finish)
- Cleanliness and accessibility notes
- Menu or product specifics that affect choices
- How staff handled a fix or a refund
Add Photos That Help
Images push your post to the top of the stack for many readers. Aim for pictures that answer common questions: where to park, how the room looks, what a dish portion size is like, or whether the entrance has a step.
Shoot For Clarity
Hold the phone steady, tap to focus, and avoid heavy filters. Natural light beats flash in most dining rooms and shops.
Respect Privacy
Skip faces unless they’re yours or you have permission. Blur car plates or documents. Don’t upload prescriptions, medical charts, or barcodes.
Caption For Context
Add a brief caption like “Back patio, 6pm,” or “Room 204 view.” Captions help your media appear in the right gallery tags.
Edit Or Delete Your Review Later
Views change. Maybe service improved; maybe a product failed early. You can edit the text, swap photos, or change the stars any time. Go to Maps > your profile > Contribute > Reviews. Find the post, tap the three dots, and choose Edit or Delete. Step-by-step guidance also lives in Google’s help page on write and manage reviews.
Owners May Reply
Business owners can respond in public. A calm, concise reply that offers a path to fix an issue shows other readers the brand listens. If you receive a thoughtful reply and the fix holds, update your text so the story is complete.
Common Problems And Fixes
Here’s a quick map of issues that block posting and what usually clears the road.
| Problem | Likely Cause | What To Try |
|---|---|---|
| No “Write a review” button | Listing type or region limits | Open the exact location page; try desktop |
| Review vanished | Filtered by content rules | Remove links or sensitive info; repost |
| Post fails on phone | App or network issue | Update app; switch Wi-Fi; try browser |
| Wrong account posted | Multiple sign-ins | Sign out others; pick the intended profile |
| Photos won’t upload | Large files or format | Compress or use JPG/PNG; try fewer files |
| Text blocked | Policy violations | Remove profanity or private data; resubmit |
| Request to change a past post | View updated | Edit stars and text from Contribute > Reviews |
Fair Use And Policy Reminders
Keep your writing about the visit and the location shown on the page. Don’t include private info or links to downloads. If you need the rulebook, scan the official page for user-contributed content. That page explains conflicts of interest, prohibited content, and how moderation works.
Quick Etiquette That Builds Trust
A few habits make your feedback stand out and help readers act with confidence.
Be Specific, Not Vague
“Burger was dry” tells less than “Patty cooked past medium; bun held up; fries crisp.” Specifics let owners improve and help future guests plan.
Skip Personal Attacks
Describe actions and outcomes, not people. “Waited 25 minutes past ticket time” beats labels or guesses about intent.
Balance Praise And Critique
Mention at least one positive, even in a low-star post. Fair reviews get read and rated helpful.
Revisit After A Fix
If a manager resolves the issue, update the post. You can raise the rating or add a note so others see progress.
FAQ-Free Bottom Line
You don’t need a manual every time you tap the stars, but a clear plan helps when you want your words to count. Use Maps on your phone or desktop, write short, concrete sentences, attach pictures that answer common questions, and stay inside the content rules. That mix helps shoppers choose well and gives owners feedback they can act on.