A QR code for collecting Google reviews
Happy customers rarely leave a review because it means finding the listing, signing in, finding the button. A QR code that opens the form directly removes those steps. Here's how to get the right link and use it without breaking Google's rules.
Finding the direct link to the review form
In your Google Business Profile, the "Ask for reviews" button gives you a short link shaped like g.page/r/…/review. That's the link to put in the code. Test it: it should open the "Write a review" window, not the general listing.
Why the code should be dynamic
Google sometimes changes the format of these links, and you might switch locations or add a second address. With a dynamic code, you update the link and the printed materials stay valid. You also see how many people scanned, which lets you compare the counter, the receipt and the takeaway bag.
- Link verified at creation and then regularly
- Destination changes with no reprinting
- Scan counter by day and by medium (one code per medium)
- A frame with "Leave us a review" text generated around the code
What Google allows, and what it doesn't
Asking for a review is allowed. Offering a reward for a review, filtering unhappy customers toward a different form ("review gating"), or having relatives write reviews is not, and it exposes the listing to removals. The QR code should lead to the form for everyone.
Where to place it
On the receipt, on a stand near the payment terminal, in the takeaway bag, on a tradesperson's invoice. The moment the customer is happy and has their phone in hand.
| Medium | Reading distance | Minimum code size | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15 to 25 cm | 2 cm per side | Reserve a corner, keep a 3 mm white margin around it |
| Table tent, menu | 30 to 50 cm | 3 cm | One code per medium, never two side by side |
| A5 flyer, product label | 40 to 60 cm | 4 cm | Avoid busy photo backgrounds behind the code |
| A3 poster, shop window | 1 to 2 m | 10 cm | Place it at eye level, not at the bottom of the poster |
| Roll-up banner, tarp, vehicle | 3 to 5 m | 25 to 40 cm | Simple rule: distance ÷ 10 = code size |
Common mistakes
- Linking to the listing instead of the review link: three extra screens, and half the people give up.
- Printing a static code: the day the link changes, everything has to be redone.
- Not saying what people will find behind the code: a "Scan for the menu" doubles the scan rate compared to a bare code.
- Placing the code over a busy photo background or a heavy gradient: contrast drops and the scan becomes hit or miss.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same code for several locations?
No, each location has its own review link. Create one code per address, which also lets you compare scans across locations.
Does the customer need to be signed in to Google?
Yes, leaving a review requires a Google account. The form takes care of that.
Can I put this code on a website?
Yes, but on a screen a plain link is more practical. The QR code is meant for physical media.