Google review QR codes — how they work

A Google review QR code links to Google's write-a-review endpoint for your Place ID, which opens the star-rating dialog straight away instead of your business listing. Removing those two taps is the entire reason it works. Never offer anything in exchange for a review.

The payload

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4

This opens the review dialog directly. The common alternative — linking to your Google Maps listing — costs the customer two extra taps, and a meaningful share of people stop at each one.

Finding your Place ID

Google's Place ID Finder (developers.google.com/maps/documentation/places/web-service/place-id) — search your business, copy the id.
Your Google Business Profile dashboard has a share link containing it.
A maps.app.goo.gl short link resolves to a URL containing the id.

Place IDs are stable in normal operation but can change if the listing is merged, moved or re-verified. Re-scan your own code after any change to the listing.

Where to put it

Placement determines everything:

On the receipt or bill folder — the strongest moment, because the experience just finished and the customer is stationary.
On the table, at the end of the meal rather than the start.
On the delivery packaging or thank-you card.
At the exit, at eye level.

Not on the door, not in the window, not on a poster across the room. A review code needs the customer to be seated, unhurried and finished.

The rules, which matter

Google's policies prohibit review gating — asking about the experience first and only routing happy customers to the public review — and prohibit incentivised reviews. A discount in exchange for a review risks the review being removed and the listing being penalised.

What is allowed: asking every customer, at the right moment, with no filter and nothing offered. That is also what produces a rating people trust.

Pair it with private feedback

Print two codes, clearly labelled: one for a public Google review, one for a private feedback form. That is not gating — the customer sees both and chooses. Unhappy customers get a route that fixes the problem instead of a public argument, and you learn things a star rating never tells you.

FAQ

How do I find my Google Place ID?

Use Google's Place ID Finder tool, or take it from the share link in your Google Business Profile. A maps.app.goo.gl short link also resolves to a URL containing the id.

Can I offer a discount for leaving a review?

No. Incentivised reviews violate Google's policies and risk both the review being removed and your listing being penalised. Ask everyone, offer nothing.

Is it against the rules to only ask happy customers?

Yes. Review gating — screening customers and only routing positive ones to the public review — is prohibited. Showing both a public review code and a private feedback code side by side is fine, because the customer chooses.

Where should the review QR code go?

On the receipt, the bill folder, the delivery packaging, or at the exit — anywhere the customer is stationary and has just finished. Codes across the room or on the door do not get scanned.