To post a Google review, open Maps, find the place, tap Reviews > Write a review, pick 1–5 stars, add text or photos, then hit Post.
Leaving feedback on a place helps neighbors choose a plumber, pick a café, or avoid a service that misses the mark. This guide shows the exact taps and clicks on phone and desktop, what shows on your public profile, how star ratings work, and the rules that keep reviews fair. You’ll also see quick fixes when the Post button hides, when a review won’t go live, or when you need to edit or delete it later.
How To Leave A Review On Google Maps: Quick Steps
The quickest route is through the Maps app or maps.google.com. You’ll rate with stars, write a short note, and you can attach photos from your device. If you haven’t signed in yet, Maps prompts you to log in. The flow is nearly the same on Android, iPhone, iPad, and desktop.
Phone Method (Android Or iPhone)
- Open Google Maps.
- Search the place name and open its listing.
- Scroll to the Reviews panel and tap Write a review.
- Choose a star rating (1–5).
- Type your comments. Add photos if you want.
- Tap Post.
Desktop Method (maps.google.com)
- Go to maps.google.com and sign in.
- Search the place and open the panel on the left.
- Select the Reviews tab and click Write a review.
- Pick 1–5 stars.
- Write your note and upload photos if needed.
- Click Post.
What Shows Publicly On Your Profile
Your name (from your Google account), profile photo, star rating, text, and any uploaded media appear on the place’s page and on your public Maps profile. You can edit or remove your feedback later if details change.
At-A-Glance: Ways To Publish Your Feedback
The table below gives a fast roadmap across devices and entry points. Use it as your quick start before the deeper tips that follow.
| Method | Where To Tap/Click | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Maps App (Android) | Listing → Reviews → Write a review | Star picker, text box, photo add, Post |
| Maps App (iPhone) | Listing → Reviews → Write a review | Star picker, text box, photo add, Post |
| Desktop (maps.google.com) | Left panel → Reviews → Write a review | Star picker, text box, photo upload, Post |
| Your Maps Profile | Contribute → Reviews | Find past posts and edit or delete |
| Business Short Link | Shared “Write a review” link | Direct star picker and text box |
Smart Tips For A Helpful Review
Pick A Clear Angle
Think like a neighbor reading on a phone. Lead with what matters: speed, staff attitude, pricing, parking, or noise level. One or two tight paragraphs beat a ramble. Keep it specific, fair, and grounded in your visit.
Use Photos That Tell The Story
Show the entrée on the plate, the cracked tile in the bathroom, the menu board with prices, the waiting room at 8 a.m. Photos help others verify claims. Stick to media you captured yourself and skip filters that hide details.
Follow The Rules So Your Review Stays Live
Content must reflect a real experience and avoid incentives, spam, harassment, hate, and private info. Google’s prohibited & restricted content list spells out the lines on conflicts of interest, profanity, and more. Reviews can be edited or removed by Google when they cross those lines.
Keep It Short But Complete
Two to six sentences usually hits the mark: rating context, one or two specifics, and whether you’d return. Add a photo if it strengthens your point.
Step-By-Step With Extra Detail
Finding The Right Listing
Search by exact business name and city. If you see duplicates, pick the one with the correct address and hours. If the place moved, the old listing may be marked closed; pick the current one.
Choosing Stars With Care
- 1–2 stars: Deal-breaker issues or repeated failures.
- 3 stars: Mixed experience; some wins, some misses.
- 4–5 stars: Smooth visit, clear value, or standout touches.
Writing Comments That Help Others
Name a concrete detail: “brisket sandwich ready in 6 minutes,” “wheelchair ramp at side door,” “technician arrived 15 minutes early,” “charge was $89 before tax.” Facts travel well and lower disputes.
Adding Photos That Pass Review
Use clear, in-focus shots. Avoid faces of bystanders, license plates, or any sensitive data. Flash can blow out menus; natural light near a window helps. Media that breaks policy can be removed without appeal, so shoot clean and honest.
Edit, Delete, And See Your Past Posts
View Or Edit Your Review
- Open Maps ➝ tap your profile photo.
- Choose Your profile ➝ Reviews.
- Pick a post ➝ Edit review to adjust text, stars, or photos.
Delete A Review
- Open the review from your profile list.
- Tap the three dots ➝ Delete review.
- Confirm. The review drops from the listing and your profile.
You can also reach your review from the place page: scroll to your post and use the three dots to edit or remove it. Google’s own help page on adding, editing, or deleting feedback walks through these flows on each platform; skim that guide if you get stuck (reviews & ratings help).
Rules, Fair Play, And What Can Get Removed
Reviews must be based on real interactions. No gifts or discounts in exchange for ratings. No slurs, threats, or doxxing. No calls to illegal acts. No links that send users to malware or scams. The policy pages cover these in plain language, and Google keeps removing fake ratings and placing warnings on profiles with manipulation patterns.
Photos, Videos, And Text That Cross The Line
Media must be your own, safe for work, and helpful to future visitors. Low-quality media or content that breaks the rules can vanish without appeal. The policy sections on media standards and review text are worth a read if your post keeps getting rejected.
Why Reviews Sometimes Don’t Appear Right Away
New accounts, rapid posting sprees, or text that matches known spam signals can pause visibility. Edits with heavy links, phone numbers, or repeat copy can also sit in a hold. A business with a wave of fake activity may show a warning banner for a while, and new ratings might be throttled while checks run.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Write A Review” Missing | Signed out account or place not open to public reviews | Sign in; check if it’s a private location; try desktop |
| Review Not Showing | Spam filters or a policy match | Remove links/phone numbers; trim salesy language |
| Photo Won’t Upload | File too large or low quality flag | Compress, crop, or reshoot in focus |
| Posted To Wrong Listing | Duplicate names or old address | Delete, find correct page, repost |
| “Post” Button Greyed Out | No stars picked or no text on some devices | Add rating; add a short line of text |
| Review Hidden After A While | Policy sweep or mass spam event | Edit to remove rule triggers; wait for the sweep to clear |
Privacy And Safety Basics
Reviews are public. Anyone can tap your profile and see your activity list. Skip phone numbers, email addresses, booking codes, or photos of people who didn’t consent. If you spot a post that exposes private info or breaks rules, use the flag option under the three dots on that post.
Writing With Balance
Be fair to staff and owners. When a visit goes south, name the issue and the date, then describe what happened without insults. If the business fixed the problem later, add an edit so readers get the full picture. Balanced feedback builds trust and tends to stick.
What Businesses Can And Can’t Do With Reviews
Owners can reply to feedback and report abuse. They can’t buy ratings, filter only happy customers, or barter perks for stars. Incentives and fake posts risk takedowns and public warnings on the listing. If you’re asked to swap a good rating for a gift card, skip the offer and write an honest account.
Sample Template You Can Copy
Use this structure when your mind goes blank at the text box:
- Visit basics: date, dine-in/takeout/service call.
- One detail you liked: taste, speed, cleanliness, tone from staff.
- One thing to improve: portion size, price clarity, wait time.
- Would you return: yes/no and why.
Editing Later Without Losing Context
If a second visit changes your view, update the text and adjust the stars. Add a short line at the top: “Update on March 4: breakfast menu expanded; service faster.” Clear edits help neighbors read the timeline at a glance.
Final Checklist Before You Hit Post
- Stars chosen and a short, specific note written
- Clear photo added only if it helps the point
- No personal data, no insults, no sales pitch
- Spelling pass done; brand names typed correctly
Helpful Reference Pages
If you want the official word on posting steps or rules, bookmark the two links in this guide: the reviews & ratings help page and the prohibited content policy. Both pages are kept current and answer edge cases like conflicts of interest, harassment, and restricted content.