To leave a review on Google: search the business name on Google or Google Maps, scroll to the Reviews section, click Write a review, select a star rating (1–5), type your comment, and click Post. The whole process takes under 60 seconds and requires a free Google account. Your review appears publicly with your name and profile photo.
Google reviews are the most-read trust signal on the internet — 81% of consumers check Google before visiting a local business (BrightLocal, 2024), more than any other review platform. Leaving one helps other buyers and gives the business feedback it can act on. Here is the exact process on every device.
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How to leave a Google review on desktop
- Go to google.com and search the business name (e.g. "Joe's Coffee Austin").
- In the business panel on the right, scroll to Reviews and click Write a review.
- A pop-up appears. Click the stars to set a rating from 1 to 5.
- Write your comment. Be specific — mention what you bought, who helped you, and the outcome.
- Optionally add photos with the Add photos button.
- Click Post. Done.
You must be signed into a Google account. If the pop-up does not appear, disable your ad blocker.
How to leave a Google review on mobile (Android & iPhone)
- Open the Google Maps app (or the Google app).
- Search the business name and tap its listing.
- Tap Reviews, then tap Rate and review or the star row.
- Set your star rating, write your comment, and add photos.
- Tap Post.
The steps are identical on Android and iPhone — both use the same Google Maps interface.
Can you leave a Google review without a Gmail account?
You cannot leave a Google review fully anonymously, but you do not need a Gmail address — any Google account works, including one created with a non-Gmail email. Reviews always display the reviewer's public Google profile name. There is no anonymous option; this is Google's anti-spam policy.
How to edit or delete a review you left
- Open Google Maps and tap your profile icon → Your profile → Reviews (or visit google.com/maps/contrib).
- Find the review, tap the three dots, and choose Edit review or Delete review.
- Edits and deletions take effect immediately.
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For businesses: make leaving a review effortless
The number-one reason customers do not leave reviews is friction. Every extra tap loses people. The fix is a direct review link that opens the review box pre-loaded — no searching required.
StarHQ generates that direct Google review link for you, then automates the ask: send it by SMS or email at the perfect moment (right after a purchase or a 5-star support interaction), route happy customers to Google and unhappy ones to a private feedback form, and watch your review count climb. It is the fastest path from "we should get more reviews" to actually ranking in the local map pack.
Start collecting more Google reviews free →