How to Reply to Google Reviews: 40 Templates (Plus Hindi and Gujarati Replies)

A customer took the time to write about your business. If nobody answers, it looks like nobody is listening, to that customer and to everyone who reads the review after them. A short, genuine reply fixes that, and a free Google profile check shows how many reviews are waiting.

This guide shows how to reply, what Google allows, a simple formula for any review, and 40 templates you can adapt: 28 in English and 12 in Hindi, Hinglish and Gujarati.

How do you reply to a Google review?

You reply from your Business Profile: open your reviews, select Reply next to a review, write your answer and post it. You need a verified profile first.

1. Verify your business. Google only lets verified businesses reply. Our setup and verification guide walks through it.

2. Open your reviews. Go to your Business Profile and select Read reviews.

3. Reply. Next to the review, select Reply, write your answer and select Reply again.

You can come back later to edit or delete a reply: under the reply, select Edit (then Update) or Delete. Owners and managers can both reply, and the reply shows as your business, not as your personal name. The person who wrote the review is notified when you reply.

What happens after you reply?

Google checks your reply against its content policies before it appears, which usually takes up to 10 minutes but can take up to 30 days. If your reply isn't approved, Google asks you to edit it.

Customers can still change their review after reading your reply. A calm, helpful answer to a 2-star review sometimes leads to a better rating, but never ask for that in exchange for anything.

The 5-part reply formula

A good reply has five short parts: thank them, mention their detail, add something useful, invite them back, and sign off. Most replies need only two or three sentences.

1. Thank them by name. Use the name shown on the review.

2. Mention the detail they shared. The dish, the stylist, the repair, the wait. This is what makes a reply feel real.

3. Add something useful. An update, an answer to their question, or what you changed.

4. Invite them back. Keep it warm, with no offers or discounts.

5. Sign off. Your first name and the business name make it personal.

Google's rules for replies: what to do and what to avoid

Google's advice is to keep replies short, honest and helpful, to make each one count instead of repeating the same thank-you, and never to use a reply to sell or to share private information. Here is what that means in practice, based on Google's reply tips.

• Keep it short. Google notes that people may stop reading a long reply before they reach the point.

• Make replies count. Google suggests focusing on reviews where you can share a helpful update, instead of sending the same "thank you" to everyone.

• Be conversational, not promotional. Reviewers are already customers, so don't use replies to offer deals or promotions.

• Protect privacy. Never share a reviewer's private information or make personal attacks.

• Own mistakes, within limits. Acknowledge what went wrong and apologize when appropriate, without taking responsibility for things outside your control.

• Reply promptly, especially to negative reviews. Google says a prompt response shows you value the feedback.

Replies also have to follow Google's content policies, like reviews. Never offer anything in exchange for a review or for changing one: Google's review policy doesn't allow incentives.

Does replying help your ranking? Google doesn't say replies raise your ranking. It says replying shows customers you value their feedback, and that positive reviews and helpful replies can help your business stand out, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking.

40 Google review reply templates

Use these as starting points, not copy-paste replies: fill in the blanks and add one real detail from the review. Each template has a tip to make it yours.

5-star reviews (1 to 8)

Need examples of how to reply to a positive review? These cover the most common situations. A thank-you reply for a review works best when it names one real detail.

1. Short and happy. Make it yours: name one thing they mentioned.

Thank you, [Name]! We're so glad you enjoyed [the detail they mentioned]. See you again soon. [Your name], [Business]

2. They named a team member. Make it yours: actually tell that person.

Thank you, [Name]! We've shared your kind words with [team member], who was delighted to hear it. We look forward to seeing you again. [Your name], [Business]

3. They praised a product or service. Make it yours: add a small, true detail about it.

Thanks so much, [Name]! Our [product or service] is a favorite here too. [One true detail, e.g. "We make it fresh every morning."] Hope to see you again soon.

4. A regular customer. Make it yours: mention how long they've been coming.

[Name], thank you for [years or visits] of support! Customers like you are the reason we love what we do. See you on your next visit.

5. One of your first reviews. Make it yours: say what it means to a new business.

Thank you, [Name], for being one of our very first reviewers! As a new business, your words mean a lot to our team. We can't wait to see you again.

6. A busy-season visit. Make it yours: name the season or occasion.

Thank you for choosing us during [the holiday season or busy period], [Name]! We know it gets busy, and we're glad [the detail they mentioned] made it worth the visit.

7. A star rating with no text. Make it yours: keep it to one or two lines.

Thank you for the 5 stars, [Name]! We really appreciate it and hope to see you again soon.

8. A long, detailed review. Make it yours: respond to two specific points they made.

[Name], thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review! We're especially glad you noticed [point 1] and [point 2]. Feedback like this helps our whole team. See you next time.

4-star and mixed reviews (9 to 13)

9. Liked most things. Make it yours: thank them for the specific praise first.

Thank you, [Name]! We're glad you enjoyed [what they liked]. If there's anything that would make it a 5-star visit next time, we'd love to hear it.

10. Service was slow. Make it yours: say what you've changed, if anything.

Thanks for your feedback, [Name], and sorry about the wait. We're glad you enjoyed [what they liked]. We've [the change you made, e.g. "added staff on weekend evenings"] to keep things moving.

11. A comment about price. Make it yours: explain value without arguing.

Thank you for the honest feedback, [Name]. Our prices reflect [what goes into the product or service, e.g. "fresh ingredients" or "certified parts"]. We're glad you enjoyed [what they liked].

12. Hard to find or park. Make it yours: give the practical tip they needed.

Thanks for visiting, [Name], and sorry it was hard to find us! [Practical tip, e.g. "Free parking is behind the building."] We've also added clearer directions to our Google profile.

13. They made a suggestion. Make it yours: say honestly whether you'll act on it.

Great suggestion, [Name], thank you! We're [what you'll do, e.g. "trying a later closing time on Fridays"]. Thanks for helping us improve.

Negative reviews (14 to 20)

For negative reviews, take a breath before you reply. Thank them, apologize where it's fair, say what you'll do, and offer to continue the conversation directly. Keep details of the visit out of the public reply.

14. Your team made a mistake. Make it yours: name the mistake plainly.

[Name], we're sorry. [The mistake] shouldn't have happened, and we've [what you changed]. We'd like to make this right: please contact us through the details on our profile and ask for [your name].

15. A long wait. Make it yours: don't make excuses, explain briefly.

Sorry about the long wait, [Name]. That's not the experience we want for anyone. We've [the change you made] so it doesn't happen again, and we hope you'll give us another chance.

16. A complaint about a staff member. Make it yours: show you took it seriously.

Thank you for telling us, [Name]. Everyone should be treated with respect here, and we're sorry that didn't happen. We're looking into it. Please contact us through our profile so we can hear more.

17. An order through a delivery app went wrong. Make it yours: separate your part from the app's, without blaming anyone.

Sorry your order didn't arrive as expected, [Name]. We've checked how we prepared and packed it [and what you changed]. For refunds on app orders, the app's support team can help fastest. We'd love to serve you better next time.

18. You can't find them as a customer. Make it yours: stay polite; readers are watching.

Hi [Name], we take every review seriously, but we can't find a record of your visit. Please contact us through the details on our profile so we can understand what happened.

19. A review that seems to break Google's rules. Make it yours: reply calmly, and report it to Google only if it breaks Google's policies, not just because it's negative.

Hi [Name], we're sorry to read this. We couldn't match it to any visit or order, and we'd welcome the chance to look into it. Please contact us through the details on our profile.

20. You've fixed the problem. Make it yours: edit your earlier reply to add the update.

Update: thanks again for your feedback, [Name]. We've now [the fix, e.g. "replaced the coffee machine"]. We hope you'll visit again and see the difference.

Special situations (21 to 23)

21. The review asks a question. Make it yours: answer it fully in the reply.

Great question, [Name]! [The answer, e.g. "Yes, we're open until 9 pm on Sundays."] Thanks for your review, and see you soon.

22. The reviewer shared private details. Make it yours: don't repeat them in your reply.

Thank you for your feedback, [Name]. For your privacy, we won't discuss the details here. Please contact us through our profile and we'll help right away.

23. A review in a language you don't speak well. Make it yours: keep it simple, and use a translation tool carefully.

Thank you for your review, [Name]! We're very glad you visited, and we hope to welcome you again soon.

By type of business (24 to 28)

24. Salon or spa. Make it yours: name the stylist or treatment.

Thank you, [Name]! [Stylist] loved working on your [service] and is thrilled you're happy with it. See you at your next appointment.

25. Restaurant or café. Make it yours: name the dish.

Thanks, [Name]! So glad you loved the [dish]. Our kitchen team will be happy to hear it. See you next time.

26. Home services (plumbing, electrical, AC repair). Make it yours: mention the job.

Thank you, [Name]! Glad we could get your [job, e.g. "AC cooling again"] the same day. Save our number for anything else you need.

27. Clinic or health practice. Make it yours: never mention any health details, even if the reviewer did.

Thank you for your kind words, [Name]. Our team is glad you had a good experience with us.

28. Car repair or garage. Make it yours: mention the car or the service.

Thank you, [Name]! Glad your [car or service] is running smoothly again. Drive safe, and see you at your next service.

Hindi, Hinglish and Gujarati replies (29 to 40)

When a customer writes in Hindi, Hinglish or Gujarati, replying in the same language feels natural and personal. If you searched "review ka reply kaise kare", start here. These templates follow the same formula. Reply in the script the customer used, so Roman Hindi for a Hinglish review.

On names: "[नाम] जी" works for anyone in Hindi, but drop जी if the display name is a username or a business name. In Gujarati, if you know the customer, write [નામ]ભાઈ or [નામ]બેન.

29. Hindi: positive review. Make it yours: name what they liked.

धन्यवाद, [नाम] जी! [सेवा या प्रोडक्ट] की तारीफ़ पढ़कर बहुत खुशी हुई। फिर ज़रूर आइएगा। [आपका नाम], [बिज़नेस का नाम]

30. Hindi: they named a team member. Make it yours: actually tell that person.

[नाम] जी, इतने अच्छे शब्दों के लिए धन्यवाद! हमने आपका रिव्यू [स्टाफ़ का नाम] के साथ शेयर किया है, उन्हें बहुत अच्छा लगा। आपसे फिर मिलने का इंतज़ार रहेगा। [आपका नाम], [बिज़नेस का नाम]

31. Hindi: mixed review, slow service. Make it yours: say what you changed.

[नाम] जी, आपके रिव्यू के लिए धन्यवाद। [जो पसंद आया] की तारीफ़ पढ़कर खुशी हुई। आपको इंतज़ार करना पड़ा, इसके लिए माफ़ी चाहते हैं। अब हमने [क्या बदला, जैसे: शाम को स्टाफ़ बढ़ा दिया] है। उम्मीद है अगली बार आपको और अच्छा अनुभव मिलेगा। [आपका नाम], [बिज़नेस का नाम]

32. Hindi: negative review, your mistake. Make it yours: name the mistake plainly.

[नाम] जी, आपको हुई परेशानी के लिए हमें सच में खेद है। [गलती] हमारी तरफ़ से चूक थी, और अब हमने [क्या बदला] है। कृपया हमारी प्रोफ़ाइल पर दिए गए नंबर पर संपर्क करें और [आपका नाम] से बात करें। [बिज़नेस का नाम]

33. Hindi: festival season. Make it yours: name the festival.

[नाम] जी, त्योहार की भीड़ में भी हमारे यहाँ आने के लिए दिल से धन्यवाद! [जो पसंद आया] की तारीफ़ पढ़कर बहुत खुशी हुई। आपको और आपके परिवार को [त्योहार] की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। फिर ज़रूर आइएगा। [आपका नाम], [बिज़नेस का नाम]

34. Hinglish: positive review. Make it yours: name what they liked.

Thank you, [Name] ji! [Service ya product] ki taareef padhkar bahut khushi hui. Phir zaroor aaiyega! [Your name], [Business]

35. Hinglish: star rating with no text. Make it yours: keep it to one or two lines.

5 star ke liye bahut shukriya, [Name] ji! Aapka hamesha swagat hai. [Your name], [Business]

36. Hinglish: negative review. Make it yours: say what you changed.

[Name] ji, aapko jo dikkat hui uske liye hum maafi chahte hain. [Galti] hamari taraf se chook thi, aur ab humne [kya badla] hai. Please hamari profile par diye number par call karein aur [your name] se baat karein. [Business]

37. Gujarati: positive review. Make it yours: name what they liked.

આભાર, [નામ]! [સેવા અથવા પ્રોડક્ટ]ના વખાણ વાંચીને ખૂબ આનંદ થયો. ફરી જરૂર પધારજો. [તમારું નામ], [બિઝનેસનું નામ]

38. Gujarati: they named a team member. Make it yours: actually tell that person.

[નામ], આટલા સરસ રિવ્યૂ માટે આભાર! તમારા શબ્દો અમે [સ્ટાફનું નામ] સુધી પહોંચાડ્યા છે, તેમને ખૂબ આનંદ થયો. ફરી મળીશું. [તમારું નામ], [બિઝનેસનું નામ]

39. Gujarati: mixed review, slow service. Make it yours: say what you changed.

[નામ], તમારા રિવ્યૂ માટે આભાર. [જે ગમ્યું તે]ના વખાણ વાંચીને આનંદ થયો. રાહ જોવી પડી તે બદલ દિલગીર છીએ. હવે અમે [શું બદલ્યું, જેમ કે: સાંજે સ્ટાફ વધાર્યો] છે. આશા છે કે આવતી વખતે તમને વધુ સારો અનુભવ મળશે. [તમારું નામ], [બિઝનેસનું નામ]

40. Gujarati: negative review. Make it yours: name the mistake plainly.

[નામ], તમને જે તકલીફ પડી તે બદલ અમે ખરેખર દિલગીર છીએ. [ભૂલ] અમારી ચૂક હતી, અને હવે અમે [શું બદલ્યું] છે. કૃપા કરીને અમારી પ્રોફાઇલ પરના નંબર પર ફોન કરીને [તમારું નામ] સાથે વાત કરજો. [બિઝનેસનું નામ]

Want all 40 in one file? Download the free PDF and keep it next to your counter or phone.

Which reviews should you reply to first?

Start with negative reviews, then detailed reviews and questions, then recent positive ones. That order protects your reputation and makes the best use of limited time.

1. Negative reviews (1 to 2 stars): these are often what new customers notice first.

2. Detailed reviews and questions: people who wrote a lot, or asked something, deserve a real answer.

3. Recent positive reviews: a personal thank-you, using templates 1 to 8.

4. Older reviews: work back through them in batches, a few each week.

A weekly 15-minute slot is enough for most small businesses. Our Google Business Profile optimization checklist covers reviews as part of a full monthly check.

Mistakes that make review replies backfire

The replies that hurt most are copied, defensive or careless. Avoid these:

• Copying the same reply onto every review. Google advises against sending the same thank-you to everyone, and customers notice.

• Arguing in public. Even if the reviewer is wrong, future customers judge your tone.

• Sharing details of the visit or order, or anything personal about the reviewer.

• Offering discounts or freebies in replies, or in exchange for changing a review.

• Replying weeks later, when the customer has moved on.

• Writing an essay. Two or three sentences is usually enough.

• Stuffing keywords like your service and city into every reply. It reads as spam.

How VyaparGrow helps you reply faster

VyaparGrow is being built to make replying to every review quick, without losing your voice. It is in development, with a pilot planned for early 2027.

• AI Review Assistant: drafts a reply to each new review in your style, using the details in the review.

• You approve every reply: nothing is posted until you say so.

• GBP Health Audit: shows how many reviews are unanswered and where to start.

Google is also testing its own AI reply option for some businesses, according to a March 2026 report. Whatever tool you use, read each reply before it goes out. See how VyaparGrow works.

Replying to reviews in practice: an illustrative example

This example is made up, to show how the formula works on a real backlog. It is not a real business or result.

Neha runs a hair salon with 30 unanswered reviews. In her first 15-minute session she replies to the two negative reviews using templates 14 and 15, and invites both customers to call her.

In her second session she works through 10 recent 5-star reviews. Instead of pasting the same line, she names the stylist and the service each time, using templates 2 and 24. Three reviews are in Hindi, so she uses templates 29 and 30. By the end of the month every review has a personal reply.

The bottom line on replying to Google reviews

Reply to every review you can, keep it short and personal, and never argue, sell or share private details. Start with negative reviews, use the 5-part formula, and adapt the templates instead of copying them. In a few minutes a week, your reviews start showing customers that someone is listening.

Ready to stay on top of your reviews?

VyaparGrow is building an AI Growth Manager for local businesses, starting with your Google Business Profile. Join the VyaparGrow waitlist and early members get a free Google profile check.