How to Get More Google Restaurant Reviews with Zero Stress by Prioritising Google in 2025.

Learn how to get more Google restaurant reviews with a Google-First strategy.
16-Oct-2024 - 16-Oct-2024

As a restaurant manager, you've likely been told to stay active on multiple review platforms.

But what if keeping up with all those sites is spreading your efforts too thin?

What if, by trying to do the right thing, you're actually missing out on more Google restaurant reviews—the ones that drive booking revenue?

With Google accounting for around 81% of the global market share for online reviews, it’s clear where your focus should be.(Brightlocal)

Google processes around 6.2 million monthly searches for 'restaurants near me,' making it the top choice for diners discovering dining options, far surpassing the visibility of competitors like Tripadvisor

In this post, we’ll show you why a Google-first review strategy can help boost bookings and get better results without jumping from one review site to another.901551e810b2464648bd93aac752533f0c59

How Getting More Google Restaurant Reviews Can Boost Your Booking Revenue

Google remains the top choice for diners searching for places to eat, and earning more Google reviews can elevate your restaurant to the top of their list.

Here’s how:

  • Fill your tables faster: Diners trust reviews from other customers more than ads, leading to more bookings.
  • Cut advertising costs: Your customers’ reviews become your marketing.
  • Increase walk-ins and calls: Show up in near me” searches and drive both phone and foot traffic.

Additionally, Google tends to generate more positive reviews because it’s easier for diners to leave them.

With less moderation and the ability to leave a rating without writing a full review, Google simplifies the feedback process compared to platforms like Tripadvisor.

Be aware:  Negative reviews can devastate your bookings.

Just one bad review can result in a 22% loss of potential customers, and if you let it build to four, you could see up to a 70% drop. (Viqal)

The consequences are immediate and significant.

That’s why responding quickly—within 24 hours—is essential to protect your restaurant's reputation and maintain a positive presence on Google.

Adapting Google Review Strategies for Local Markets

While getting more Google restaurant reviews is crucial across the board, it's important to tailor your strategy to your specific local market and restaurant type.

Here's how to adapt your approach for different scenarios:

Tourist-Heavy Areas
In locations with high tourist traffic, getting more Google restaurant reviews remains a priority, but you may need to maintain a presence on platforms like Tripadvisor as well.

To focus on Google:

  • Place Google review QR codes prominently near the entrance and exit
  • Train staff to mention Google reviews first, followed by other platforms
  • Offer a small incentive for leaving a Google review, such as a complimentary appetiser on the next visit

Urban vs. Rural Locations

  • Urban restaurants: Focus heavily on "near me" searches by optimising your Google Business Profile with accurate information and high-quality photos.
  • Rural restaurants: Emphasise community connections in your Google reviews by encouraging regulars to mention local events or specialities in their feedback.

Fine Dining vs. Casual Eateries

  • Fine dining: Train staff to discreetly mention Google reviews during the payment process, emphasising the exclusivity of being asked for feedback.
  • Casual dining: Use table tents or menu inserts to promote Google reviews, making the process more visible and accessible.

Cultural Considerations
In markets where direct requests for reviews may be seen as impolite, consider:

  • Using subtle signage that encourages Google reviews without explicit asks
  • Partnering with local influencers to promote leaving Google reviews as a way to support local businesses

By tailoring your Google review strategy to your specific market and restaurant type, you can maximise the effectiveness of your efforts while respecting local customs and diner expectations

Best Restaurant review sites by country 

Google's global dominance in the restaurant review market is undeniable.

With a 75% market share globally, it outpaces competitors like Tripadvisor and Zomato in nearly every region, particularly in Europe.

Google Restaurant Reviews

Even if your restaurant operates in a tourist-heavy area, getting more Google restaurant reviews is essential because diners frequently turn to Google for "near me" searches, driving local traffic and visibility.

For restaurant owners, spreading efforts across multiple platforms can dilute your results on Google, where reviews matter most for boosting bookings and visibility.

As AI-powered search engines like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) evolve, the importance of earning more Google restaurant reviews is greater than ever.

Why AI Search Engines Make Google Restaurant Reviews Essential

As SGE features reviews directly in search results, diners can immediately gauge your restaurant’s reputation, making those Google reviews even more influential.

Here’s why:

Google SGE for Restaurant near me searches

SGE places reviews and ratings prominently in search results, making it easier for potential diners to assess your restaurant’s reputation.

This amplifies the value of gathering more Google restaurant reviews, as it directly impacts your visibility.

As AI technology evolves, reviews are summarised instantly and featured more prominently.

Google’s AI algorithms will increasingly prioritise customer feedback and review volumes as major ranking factors.

Restaurants with more positive Google restaurant reviews will naturally rank higher, attracting more website visitors and increasing both online and foot traffic.

Tripadvisor’s AI Summary Feature Can Hurt Your Bookings

TripAdvisor AI Review Summary  For Restaurants

Tripadvisor’s AI review summary often prioritises negative feedback, which can create a lasting negative impression on potential diners and directly impact your bookings.

When negative comments are prominently displayed, diners may be discouraged from choosing your restaurant, even if the majority of their experience was positive.

On the other hand, Google reviews tend to offer a more balanced perspective.

Google’s simpler feedback system encourages more positive reviews, giving your restaurant a better chance to stand out for the right reasons.

This is why focusing on Google is key—it highlights positive feedback and ensures your restaurant is shown in the best possible light, boosting both visibility and bookings.

How to get more Google Restaurant Reviews by adopting a Google-First Review Strategy 

Positive reviews are often earned by asking satisfied customers directly, while unhappy customers tend to leave negative feedback unprompted.

To counter this, guide happy customers to leave reviews on Google.

This ensures positive feedback has the most impact on your bookings, reputation, and visibility.

Here’s how to optimise review requests for more Google restaurant reviews while still addressing other platforms:

Email Requests:

Prioritise Google reviews while briefly acknowledging other platforms.

Getting More Google Restaurant Reviews

SMS Campaigns:

Use direct Google links for easy access.

Example:

Google Review Request SMS

In-Restaurant Prompts:

Display QR codes prominently to encourage Google reviews.

Google Review Request Table Cards

Train Your Staff:

Train your staff to specifically ask diners to leave a Google review when presenting the bill.

Google Restaurant Reviews

Encourage staff to point out your Google review card with a QR code, making it easy for diners to leave feedback while still on-site.

However, if a customer has complained, instruct staff not to mention reviews.

When asking for feedback, make Google reviews the priority.

Timing is key—if you wait too long after the peak excitement of their meal, they may leave the restaurant and either post a review on their preferred platform or forget to leave one altogether.

A timely request while they are still at the table is crucial to getting more Google restaurant reviews and ensuring your Google profile continues to receive more positive feedback.

AI is Transforming Reputation Management for Restaurants

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the restaurant industry, revolutionising operations, customer experiences, and business models.

AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly advanced in generating automated responses to customer reviews and comments.

These tools are capable of creating personalised, contextually relevant responses, helping restaurants engage positively with their customers at scale.

By 2025, it’s expected that AI will take on a full-time role in responding to reviews, allowing staff to focus more on strategic, human-centred tasks.

Use AI To Respond to Google Restaurant Reviews.

Google Review Automation with AI

With AI technology like BFN-AI, you can automate responses to 90% of your Google restaurant reviews, requiring no human intervention.

AI tools generate highly personalised, SEO-optimised responses that are nearly indistinguishable from human-written replies.

A key advantage of getting more Google restaurant reviews is that Google offers a two-way feed.

This allows you to fully automate responses to positive reviews and respond more quickly to negative ones—directly through the AI platform, without manual input.

In comparison, Tripadvisor only offers a one-way feed, which, while more efficient than manual responses, still requires staff to copy and paste AI-generated replies.

This makes Google a better platform for streamlined, fully automated review management.

AI Review Response Case Study For Restaurants: 

How a Michelin-Rated Restaurant Automated Responding to Google Restaurant Reviews with AI

AI restaurant Case Study

Key Takeaways:

  • Boosting Revenue: Google restaurant reviews help fill tables quickly, as diners place more trust in feedback from other customers than in ads. This drives bookings while also reducing your advertising costs.

  • Global Reach: With 75% of the global market share, Google offers far greater visibility than Tripadvisor or other review platforms, making it the dominant player to focus on.

  • AI Search Engines: Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) highlights reviews directly in search results, making it critical for restaurants to maintain a strong presence by earning more positive Google restaurant reviews.

  • Google-First Strategy: Prioritising Google reviews through email, SMS, and in-restaurant prompts ensures an effective and streamlined review management process, saving time and maximising results.

  • AI Automation: As you gather more Google restaurant reviews, you don't need to feel overwhelmed by the response process. AI tools like BFN-AI can automate the task, saving time, speeding up response times, and delivering highly personlised responses.

Conclusion:

Focusing on Google reviews offers clear benefits for boosting visibility, increasing bookings, and efficiently managing your online reputation.

With Google dominating restaurant-related searches, prioritising this platform maximises reach and influence.

Tools like BFN-AI further enhance your efficiency by automating responses, allowing you to manage reviews without becoming overwhelmed.

In 2025 and beyond, prioritising Google reviews, alongside AI-driven search integrations, will be essential in keeping your restaurant competitive and visible to potential diners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are Google reviews so important for my restaurant?

Google reviews directly impact your restaurant’s visibility, search rankings, and booking potential. Getting more Google restaurant reviews ensures your business shows up in “near me” searches, driving more customers through your doors.

2. How can I encourage customers to leave Google reviews?

A great way to get more Google restaurant reviews is to ask diners directly after their meal and provide a QR code for easy access. Timing is key—request the review while they are still at the table.

3. What should I do if a customer complains during a meal?

If a customer complains during their visit, avoid asking them for a review or offering a Google review card. It’s better to resolve the issue first and focus on getting more positive Google restaurant reviews from satisfied customers.

4. How do Google reviews help my restaurant rank higher?

Google prioritises restaurants with more positive reviews, enhancing your visibility in "near me" searches and boosting bookings.

The more Google reviews you collect, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results, leading to more bookings and greater visibility for your restaurant.

5. Should I focus only on Google reviews?

While it's good to maintain a presence on other platforms, concentrating your efforts on Google provides the most impact on visibility and revenue.

6. How can I improve my restaurant’s rating on Google?

To improve your Google restaurant rating, focus on delivering exceptional food and service consistently. Happy customers are more likely to leave positive reviews, which directly boosts your rating. Encourage satisfied diners to leave feedback by offering a Google review card with a QR code at the table. The more positive Google restaurant reviews you get, the more your rating and visibility will improve. Always respond to reviews, especially negative ones, to show you care about customer satisfaction.

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