Leaving a review on Google Maps takes less than a minute, and it makes a real difference. For a small local business, every honest review helps other people decide where to go and helps the business appear in local search. This guide explains how to post a review on a phone or a computer, how to add photos, and how to edit or delete a review later.
Open Google Maps, find the business, tap its name, go to Reviews and tap the five empty stars. Choose your rating, write about your experience, add photos if you like and post. You need to be signed in to a Google Account.
- You need to be signed in to a Google Account to leave a review, but it does not need to be Gmail.
- In the Google Maps app, open the place, tap Reviews and then tap the empty stars to start.
- Reviews are public and show the name on your Google profile; there is no anonymous option.
- You can edit or delete your review at any time from the Contribute tab.
In this article
Before you start
- Sign in to a Google Account. Google requires an account to leave a review. You do not need a Gmail address, as you can create a Google Account with any email. Our guide to leaving a review without a Gmail account explains how.
- Update the Google Maps app. Google notes that older phones and app versions can have trouble posting reviews.
- Be ready to be public. Reviews show the name on your Google profile and cannot be posted anonymously.
How to post a review on an Android phone
- Open the Google Maps app and search for the business, or tap it on the map.
- Tap the place name or address at the bottom of the screen to open its full profile.
- Tap Reviews at the top of the profile.
- Tap the five empty stars to choose your rating.
- Write your review under "Share more about your experience" and answer any optional questions.
- Add photos or videos if you have them, then post.
How to post a review on an iPhone
The steps on an iPhone are very similar. Open the Google Maps app, find the business, open its profile, go to the Reviews section and tap the stars to begin. If you use Apple Maps as well, note that Apple Maps ratings are separate and do not appear on Google.
How to post a review on a computer
- Go to Google Maps in your browser and sign in.
- Search for the business and click it to open the profile panel.
- Scroll to the reviews section and click Write a review.
- Choose a star rating, write your review and add photos if you wish, then click Post.
Many businesses also share a direct review link or a QR code. If you have one of these, it takes you straight to the review form and skips the searching.
We set up simple review systems, from review links and QR codes to NFC cards, as part of every local SEO plan.
How to write a review that actually helps
The most useful reviews are specific. A few sentences are plenty, but try to cover:
- What you bought or which service you used.
- What stood out, good or bad, such as speed, friendliness, price or quality.
- Anything a future customer would want to know, like parking, accessibility or waiting times.
- Whether you would use the business again.
Keep it honest and based on your own experience. Google removes reviews that are fake, abusive, off topic or written by someone with a conflict of interest, such as an employee, a family member or a competitor.
How to edit or delete your review
- Open the Google Maps app and tap Contribute.
- Tap View your profile, then scroll to See all reviews.
- Tap More next to the review and choose Edit review or Delete review.
If you edit a review, Google shows the date of your latest edit as the review date. That is useful if a business has fixed a problem and you want to update your rating.
Why can I not see my review?
Google checks reviews against its policies, and this can take a few days. Reviews can also be filtered if they look automated or break the rules. Google says reviews removed for policy violations are not reinstated, so it is worth writing a genuine, relevant review the first time.
In busy markets such as Southampton, Newcastle and Coventry, the businesses in the top three of the map pack almost always have more recent reviews than the ones below them. Asking consistently is what gets you there. You can find every city we cover on our SEO locations page.
Why your review matters
For a local business, reviews influence both trust and visibility. BrightLocal's 2026 research found that 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, and Google uses reviews as part of how it judges which businesses to show in local results. A two minute review can genuinely help a small business you care about. If you run a business yourself, read why Google Maps reviews matter to see the other side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Gmail account to post a Google review?
You need a Google Account, but it does not have to be Gmail. You can create a Google Account with any existing email address and use it to post reviews.
Can I post an anonymous review on Google Maps?
No. Google reviews are public and show the name on your Google profile. You can change your profile name, but you cannot post without an account.
How long does it take for a Google review to appear?
Most reviews appear quickly, but Google may take a few days to check a review against its policies before it shows publicly.
Can a business delete my review?
Businesses cannot delete reviews. They can reply publicly or report a review they believe breaks Google's policies, and Google decides whether to remove it.
