Review policy
Are Google Review Incentives Allowed?
No — Google prohibits offering anything in exchange for a review, even for honest or negative ones. What counts as an incentive, why it's risky, and honest alternatives that work.
By uTapiT Team · Guide · 23 September 2026 · 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Google prohibits offering money, discounts, free items or any other benefit in exchange for reviews.
- It applies to every review — positive, neutral or negative — not just five-star ones.
- Incentivised reviews can be removed, and the profile can face restrictions.
- The honest alternative works: ask everyone, at the right moment, and make it effortless.
“Leave us a review and get 10% off your next visit” sounds harmless, and it's surprisingly common. But it breaks Google's rules, and it can cost you the very reviews you worked for.
What Google's policy says
Google's review policy prohibits fake engagement, which includes offering or accepting money, products, services or other benefits in exchange for reviews. Businesses also mustn't ask for reviews in exchange for anything.
What counts as an incentive
- Discounts or coupons for leaving a review.
- A free dessert, drink, service or gift.
- Entry into a contest, lucky draw or giveaway.
- Cashback, loyalty points or wallet credit.
- Paying people or agencies to post reviews.
- Any of the above offered “for your honest opinion” — honesty doesn't make it allowed.
Why it's risky
- Reviews that appear to be incentivised can be removed.
- Google can restrict profiles involved in fake engagement — for example limiting new reviews or showing a warning to customers.
- In India, the online-review standard IS 19000:2022 also sets out principles against paid reviews.
- Customers trust a rating less when they suspect it was bought.
What works instead
- 1Ask every customer, in person, right after a good experience.
- 2Give them a direct way in — a review link, QR code or NFC tap — so it takes seconds.
- 3Ask for an honest review, never a specific rating.
- 4Reply to reviews so customers see their feedback matters.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I give a discount if the review is honest, not necessarily positive?
- No. Google's rule is about the exchange itself: any benefit offered for leaving a review is an incentive, whatever the review says.
- Can I run a monthly prize draw for customers who review us?
- No. A chance to win something is still an incentive, so entry into a draw in exchange for a review isn't allowed.
- Can I thank customers for reviewing?
- Yes — a genuine thank-you, such as replying to their review, is fine. Just don't attach a reward to it.
uTapiT gets you more reviews without incentives: a tap or scan opens your review page for every customer.
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