Compliance

Can you offer a discount or a gift for a Google review?

Offering a discount, a gift or a prize draw entry in exchange for a review is forbidden by Google. We explain why, what you risk, and how to get more reviews legally.

Updated on 07/08/2026 · 4 min read

It is a question we are often asked: “Why not boost reviews by offering a small discount or a gift to those who leave one?” The answer is simple and unambiguous: offering a reward in exchange for a review is forbidden by Google. Here is why, and above all what you can do instead.

What the Google rules say

The rules on Google reviews are clear: it is forbidden to offer a discount, a gift, a voucher or any other reward in exchange for a review. This also applies to prize draws where entry would be conditional on leaving a review.

A review obtained for a reward is no longer a genuine review: it is a “bought” review, even indirectly. Google considers such reviews to be biased.

Why this ban?

  • Reliability: reviews only have value if they reflect a real experience. Rewarding distorts the rating and misleads future customers.
  • Fair competition: a business should not be able to “buy” a better reputation than a more deserving competitor.
  • Consumer trust: the public spots incentivised reviews better and better, which discredits the whole system.

What you risk

The penalty can range from removal of the reviews concerned to a filter applied to your listing, or even its suspension. Beyond Google, it is your credibility at stake: nothing damages trust more than a reputation that rings false.

Our stance is deliberate: we will never offer you a tool to “buy” or incentivise reviews. It is neither sustainable nor honest — and it backfires.

What you CAN do (and what works better)

  • Ask all your customers, without distinction and without a reward.
  • Make the gesture extremely easy: this is where the Google review plate makes the difference — one tap, and the review is submitted.
  • Choose the right moment: right after a successful purchase or service, when satisfaction is highest.
  • Reply to your reviews: it encourages the next ones and improves your local ranking.

In practice, making it easy to leave a genuine review brings in more reviews than a reward — with no risk whatsoever.

Key takeaway: no discount, no gift, no prize draw conditional on a review. The right method is to ask everyone and make the action instant. See also: review gating and our complete Google review plate guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I offer a discount in exchange for a Google review? +
No. Google rules explicitly forbid offering any reward (discount, gift, voucher…) in exchange for a review. Reviews obtained this way are considered biased and may be removed.
Is a prize draw to collect reviews allowed? +
No, if entry is conditional on leaving a review: that amounts to offering a reward, which is forbidden. You can run a prize draw, but it must never require leaving a review to take part.
What does my business risk? +
Google may remove the reviews concerned, apply a filter to your listing, or even suspend it. Beyond the penalty, you lose consumer trust, as people increasingly spot bought or incentivised reviews.
How do I get more reviews legally? +
By simply asking ALL your customers, with no reward, and making the action extremely easy. That is exactly what the Google review plate is for: it makes leaving a genuine review easy, in one tap, without offering anything in return.