How to Ask Customers for Reviews on Facebook

A steady stream of great Facebook reviews can transform your page from a simple business listing into a powerful trust signal. These recommendations show potential customers that real people love what you do, and they're one of the first things a visitor sees. This guide will walk you through a variety of practical ways to get more Facebook reviews without feeling pushy or desperate.

Why Bother with Facebook Reviews?

In a world of countless marketing channels, it's fair to ask if Facebook reviews, now officially called "Recommendations," still pack a punch. The answer is a big yes. They are a highly visible form of social proof located right where your community gathers.

• Instant Trust: A high star rating and positive comments immediately build confidence. When someone lands on your page, that rating is one of the very first things they check out. A 4.8-star average says much more than any perfectly crafted ad copy ever could.
• Facebook's Recommendation Engine: When a user asks for recommendations in a local group (e.g., "Where's the best coffee shop in downtown?"), Facebook often suggests businesses with strong, positive reviews. More reviews mean you're more likely to get suggested.
• Improves Your Page Visibility: While not a direct Google ranking factor, high engagement and positive signals on your Facebook page can contribute to its overall authority. Facebook rewards active, well-regarded pages with better organic reach.
• Valuable Feedback Loop: Reviews aren't just for new customers. They're a direct line to your existing ones. Reading what people love (and what they don’t) provides incredible insight into what's working and where you can improve.

First Things First: Is Your Page Ready for Reviews?

Before you start asking, you need to make sure the front door is open. It sounds simple, but many businesses overlook making sure their "Reviews" tab is active and easy to find.

How to Enable Recommendations on Your Facebook Page

Facebook now calls them "Recommendations," and you need to have the right page template enabled for them to appear.

1. Navigate to your business page on a desktop computer.
2. Click on "Settings" on the left-hand menu.
3. Select "Templates and Tabs."
4. Look at your current template. If it's something like "Shopping" or "Services," the Reviews tab should be available. If not, you might need to change your template to one that supports them.
5. Scroll down to the "Tabs" list and make sure the "Reviews" tab is toggled ON. You can even drag it higher up the list to make it more visible on your page's menu.

Find and Shorten Your Direct Reviews Link

Telling someone to "Go to our Facebook page, find the ‘Reviews’ tab, and then leave one" is too much work. You need to give them a direct link that takes them exactly where they need to go.

You can usually find your direct link by adding /reviews to the end of your page URL, like this:

www.facebook.com/[YourPageUsername]/reviews

Visit that link yourself to confirm it works. Once you have it, that big, clunky URL isn't very memorable or shareable. Use a link-shortening service like Bitly or TinyURL to create a clean, simple link (e.g., bit.ly/ReviewOurBiz) that you can easily use everywhere.

7 Non-Pushy Ways to Ask for a Facebook Review

The secret to getting reviews is a simple two-part formula: ask happy customers and make it exceptionally easy for them. Here are seven ways to put that into practice.

1. Time Your Ask Perfectly

Timing isn't everything, but it's pretty close. The wrong moment can make your request feel awkward, while the right one feels like a natural extension of a great experience. The best time to ask is immediately after a customer has had a "wow" moment.

• For E-commerce: Send an automated email a few days after their package has been delivered. This gives them time to actually use the product. The subject line can be straightforward: "How are you liking your new [Product Name]?"
• For Service Businesses: The moment a project is successfully completed is the golden hour. After you've shown the client the finished work and they're visibly thrilled, that's your cue.
• For Restaurants or Cafes: When a customer is paying and verbally mentions how much they enjoyed their meal, your staff can say something like, "That's so good to hear! We’d be so appreciative if you’d consider sharing that on our Facebook page. It really helps others find us."

2. Use Your Email List

Your email list is full of people who already know, like, and trust you. They've opted-in to hear from you, making them the perfect group to ask for support.

Don't send a mass blast to everybody. Instead, segment your list to target your most engaged subscribers - people who regularly open your emails or have made a recent purchase. Send a simple, plain-text email that feels personal, not like a marketing broadcast.

Here’s a template you can adapt:

Subject: Quick question?

Hey [Customer Name],

Just wanted to say thanks again for being a customer. I was wondering if you’d have a minute to share your experience on our Facebook page?

Positive recommendations help others who are looking for [what you do] feel more confident about choosing us.

Here is the direct link to our reviews page: [Your Shortened Link]

Thanks for your support,

[Your Name]

3. Leverage Facebook Messenger

If a customer communicates with you through Messenger, you can use that channel to ask for a recommendation. This works particularly well if you've just resolved a customer service issue for them or answered a question that led to a purchase. After you've successfully helped them, wait a bit and then send a follow-up.

"So glad we could get that sorted out for you, [Customer Name]! By the way, if you were happy with the support you received, we'd love for you to leave us a recommendation. It helps our small team a lot!" Then, drop that direct link.

4. Ask Directly on Your Page

Your existing followers are your greatest allies. It’s perfectly fine to create a dedicated Facebook post asking them to share their experiences. The best posts of this kind explain the "why" behind the request.

Pair your ask with a nice image of your team or a happy customer (with their permission, of course!). Write copy that connects with them on a human level:

"A quick request for our amazing community! Your story matters. If you've had a great experience with us, could you take 30 seconds to leave a recommendation on our Facebook page? Your feedback not only helps us grow, but it also helps others find the right solution. Thank you! 🙏"

Pin this post to the top of your Facebook page for a week to give it maximum visibility.

5. Make It Easy in Real Life

For brick-and-mortar businesses, bridge the gap between their physical experience and your digital page. You can easily do this with a QR code.

• Flyers & Business Cards: Create a small card or flyer specifically for this purpose. Print a QR code that links directly to your Facebook reviews page. Your staff can hand it to happy customers at checkout.
• At the Checkout: Place a small, well-designed sign near the register that says something like, "Loved your experience? Scan to share!"
• In Their Bag: Drop a little postcard with the QR code into their shopping bag. It’s a nice final touchpoint that they’ll see when they get home.

6. Add a "Leave a Review" Button to Your Website

Your website is prime real estate. Make it simple for visitors to leave feedback by adding a clear call-to-action in a few strategic spots.

• Footer: Most people know to look in a website’s footer for social links. Add a "Review us on Facebook" link right next to your Facebook page icon.
• Confirmation Page: After a customer completes a purchase, the "Thank You" page is a fantastic place to ask. They're already feeling good about their decision. Add a button that says, "We'd love your feedback! Leave a recommendation on Facebook."

7. Turn Positive Comments into Reviews

Keep an eye on the comments across your organic posts. You’ll often find gems - people raving about your product or service. This is a review waiting to be formalized.

When you see a comment like this, reply publicly first: "That's so great to hear you're loving it, Jane! Thank you!"

Then, follow up with a private message (DM): "Hey Jane, I saw your comment on our post! Thank you so much for the kind words. It would be amazing if you could copy and paste that as an official Recommendation on our page. Here's a quick link to do it:". This two-step process respects their privacy while making the ask directly.

The Work Isn't Over: What to Do With Your New Reviews

Getting a new review is only half the battle. How you manage your feedback - both good and bad - shapes your brand’s reputation and encourages more people to speak up.

Always Respond to Good Reviews

When someone takes the time to say something nice, always acknowledge it. Replying to a positive review does two things: it makes the original poster feel appreciated, and it shows potential customers that you are an engaged and caring business.

• Be Prompt: Try to reply within 24-48 hours.
• Personalize It: Use their name and reference something specific they mentioned in their review.
• Say Thank You: A simple "thank you" goes a long way.

Handle Not-So-Good Ones with Grace

Negative reviews happen to everyone. The goal isn't to prevent them entirely, but to handle them professionally when they appear. A well-managed negative review can sometimes win over more customers than a page full of five-star praise because it shows you’re authentic and willing to solve problems.

1. Respond Quickly and Publicly: Thank them for their feedback and acknowledge their frustration. Never get defensive.
2. Take It Offline: Provide an immediate path to a private conversation. Say, "We're so sorry to hear this. Please send us a DM with your order number or give us a call at [Phone Number] so we can make this right."
3. Fix the Problem: Work with them privately to find a solution. After it’s fixed, some posters might even be willing to update their review.

Share Your Best Reviews

Great reviews are content gold. Don't let them just sit on your Reviews tab - repurpose them!

Ask the reviewer for permission to share their feedback, then turn their quote into a beautiful graphic for your Facebook or Instagram feed. Create a "Customer Love" highlight reel for your Instagram Stories. Add a testimonials section to your website homepage. Sharing customer praise shows that you're proud of the work you do and that others validate its quality.

Final Thoughts

Getting more Facebook reviews is an ongoing process that comes down to a few simple ideas: ask at the right moment, make it incredibly easy for people to say yes, and always engage with the feedback you receive. By blending these strategies into how you already interact with your customers, you’ll build up a base of authentic social proof that strengthens your brand.

Managing all the thank-you replies, solving issues posted in recommendations, and engaging with happy comments is part of building that strong community. Keeping everything organized can be a challenge. In our experience, having a central hub is a game-changer. Our tool, Postbase, includes a unified inbox that brings all your comments and DMs from Facebook and your other platforms into one simple view. This helps you stay on top of those conversations, so you never miss a chance to turn a compliment into a great review or thank someone for their feedback.