KONAHHow agents get more Google reviews, the right way.
Reviews are one of the first things people check when choosing an agent, lender or title company. Most professionals have far fewer than they could, not because clients were unhappy but because nobody asked at the right moment. Here's a simple system.
Set up your profile first
Before you ask anyone, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and accurate: your name as clients know it, category, service area, phone, website, hours, a professional photo and a short description. Follow Google's guidelines for service-area businesses if you don't see clients at a storefront. Then get your direct review link from the profile dashboard so clients land right on the review box.
Ask at the high point
The best moment is when the client is happiest: right after closing, when they get keys, or when a loan funds. Ask within a few days, while the experience is fresh. A good second moment is when a client thanks you unprompted: "That means a lot. Would you be willing to say that in a Google review? Here's the link."
Make it personal and easy
A personal request works better than a generic email blast. Keep it short:
"Hi Sam and Alex, congratulations again on the new place! If you have two minutes, a Google review would mean a lot and helps other buyers find me. Here's the direct link: [link]. Thank you for trusting me with this."
Send the link by text if they've agreed to texts, since it's easiest to tap on a phone. A short thank-you video before the request makes it even warmer.
Ask everyone the same way
Google's review policies discourage asking only clients you expect to leave positive reviews (sometimes called review gating), and prohibit offering incentives for reviews. U.S. consumer protection rules also prohibit fake reviews and buying reviews. The safe practice is to ask every client the same way, never offer anything in exchange, and never write or edit reviews for clients. Automating the request for every closed deal helps you stay consistent.
Reply to every review
Replying shows future clients that you care and that real people are behind the profile.
- Positive reviews: thank them by first name, mention something specific about the work, keep it brief. Don't share private details about the transaction.
- Critical reviews: respond calmly and professionally, acknowledge their experience, avoid arguing or disclosing confidential information, and offer to continue the conversation offline. Future readers judge your reply more than the complaint.
Use reviews everywhere
With the client's permission, share reviews on social media, your website and in listing presentations. A short graphic with a quote and the client's first name, or a video review, makes strong social proof. Always respect privacy: no addresses, purchase prices or details they didn't agree to share.
Video reviews
Some clients would rather talk than type. A video review recorded on their phone can be more persuasive than text, and some tools let you send a request they can answer on camera in a minute. Get clear permission before featuring anyone's video publicly.
Build a review habit
- Add your review link to your email signature and closing gift card.
- Ask every client within a week of closing.
- Follow up once, gently, if they haven't left one.
- Reply to every review within a few days.
- Share a review on social media once or twice a month.
KONAH CRM 2.0 sends the review request with your link automatically when a deal closes, and the AI Social Media Manager drafts replies to new Google and Facebook reviews. See Google reviews in KONAH.
Reviews for lenders and title companies
Loan officers and title companies benefit from reviews just as much as agents, and the same system works with small adjustments. Lenders can ask when the loan funds and the borrower has keys; title companies can ask after recording, when the client knows everything closed smoothly. Both should be careful with privacy in replies: never mention loan amounts, rates, account details or anything the client didn't share publicly. Agents can help partners by reminding clients that a quick review for their lender or title officer is appreciated too.
What to do if reviews stall
If clients say yes and then never leave the review, the request is probably too hard or too late. Check that your link opens the review box directly on a phone. Send it by text if they've agreed to texts, since email links get buried. Follow up once, a week later, with a friendly reminder. And make asking part of your closing routine instead of something you remember occasionally. Consistency matters more than any clever wording.
Turning reviews into marketing
A steady trickle of fresh reviews is marketing in its own right. Highlight a recent review in your listing presentation, add a few to your website, and share them on social media with the client's permission. Recent, specific reviews ("she found us a house in two weekends and kept us calm through a tough inspection") are more persuasive than a high count of short ones.
Reporting fake or inappropriate reviews
Occasionally a review is spam, written by someone who was never a client, or contains inappropriate content. Google lets business owners flag reviews that appear to violate its policies. Don't respond with anger, and don't try to get friends to bury it with positive reviews. Flag it through your profile, reply briefly and professionally if appropriate, and keep focusing on earning genuine reviews from real clients.
Teams and brokerages
On a team, decide whether reviews should go to the team's profile, each agent's own profile, or both, and be consistent so clients aren't confused. Brokerages should follow the same principles: ask every client the same way, never incentivize, and reply to every review. A shared review request process across the team keeps the experience consistent and makes it easy for new agents to build their own reputation from day one.
Whatever structure you choose, write it down: who sends the request, when, from which account, and who replies to new reviews. A one-page process stops requests from slipping through the cracks when the team gets busy.
Reviews on other sites
Google isn't the only place clients look. Real estate portals, social platforms and industry directories may host reviews too. Focus on one or two places where your clients actually search, usually Google first, rather than splitting requests across many sites.