How to Ask for Real Estate Reviews Without Breaking the Rules

Is it okay to ask clients for reviews?

Yes. Google says merchants may encourage genuine reviews, as long as they offer no incentives and do not try to influence the rating or the content. Google also says customers can reach your review form by a link or a QR code, and that a customer needs a Google Account to post.

The rule that matters most: the review must reflect a genuine experience. Your job is to make it easy to say what happened. It is not your job to steer what they say.

What does Google forbid?

These points come from Google's Maps user-contributed content policy, checked October 29, 2026.

What does the FTC reviews rule say?

The FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule went into effect on October 21, 2024. The FTC says it bans fake or false reviews, buying reviews that must express a particular sentiment, undisclosed insider reviews, review suppression, and the misuse of fake social media indicators. It authorizes courts to impose civil penalties for knowing violations.

The FTC also says the rule does not prohibit giving incentives for reviews when no sentiment is required, expressly or by implication. Do not read that as permission. Google still bans incentivized reviews on Google. Follow the stricter platform rule.

Brokers and agents are not exempt. The FTC says an individual in the business of selling or creating fake consumer reviews can be liable. It says ordinary consumers cannot be liable for what they say in their reviews.

Can your team, family or friends review you?

The FTC says reviews from people with a material relationship to the business, such as employees or relatives, must clearly and conspicuously disclose it. Google restricts content based on conflicts of interest, including employment and family ties.

The safe plan is simple. Do not ask co-workers, family members or other agents in your brokerage to review you. Ask people who bought or sold with you.

What is review gating, and why avoid it?

Review gating means sending happy clients to a public site and unhappy clients to a private form. Google lists "selectively solicit positive reviews" as banned. The FTC does not use the term "review gating," but it says asking only the customers you believe are happy may violate the FTC Act.

So send the same request to every client, in the same words, on the same day. If you want private feedback too, ask for it separately, after you have sent the public review request to everyone.

When is the best time to ask?

There is no official rule on timing. Here is our planning idea. Ask soon after closing, when the memory is fresh, and again if a client says they were happy during a call. Do not ask during a stressful step such as the inspection or the repair negotiation.

Pick one time and stick to it, so you ask everyone. A line in your closing checklist works well. See the first 90 days guide for how to build checklists like this.

What can you say in the request?

Keep it short and plain. Say thanks, say a review helps other people choose an agent, and give the link. Do not name a star rating, do not say what to write, and do not mention a reward.

A sample, written for you to adapt: "Thank you for trusting me with your sale. If you have a few minutes, an honest review helps other families choose an agent. Here is the link. Whatever you write, I appreciate it." Notice there is no offer, no hint at five stars, and no deadline.

• Same message to every client.
• No gift, discount, drawing or favor tied to the review.
• No mention of a rating.
• No pressure at the closing table.
• Link goes to the public review form, not a private survey.

How should you reply to reviews?

Google says to keep replies professional, polite and short, and to respond promptly. For negative reviews, never share the reviewer's private information or make personal attacks. For complex issues, ask the reviewer to contact you by phone or email. Do not use replies to offer deals.

Never threaten legal action to make a person remove an honest review. The FTC lists false accusations, intimidation and unfounded legal threats as review suppression.

What if a review is false?

Google says you can flag a review you believe violates its content policies. Flag it, keep a screenshot, and reply once, calmly. Do not offer anything for its removal. Google prohibits incentives to change or remove negative reviews, and the FTC warns that paying to change or remove truthful negative reviews may violate the FTC Act.

What about advertising rules in Texas?

If you quote a review in your marketing, it becomes part of an advertisement under TREC rules. Your name and your broker's name must appear as the rule requires, and you cannot rank yourself without disclosing objective criteria. Read our guide on TREC advertising rules. Setting up the place where reviews live is covered in the Google Business Profile guide.

How The Bauer Group fits

The Bauer Group is a Frisco brokerage welcoming licensed DFW agents. Opportunities are earned, not guaranteed. If you want to talk through how you would build your first months, you can start the conversation on the join page.

Education only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm advertising rules with TREC and ask your broker how they apply to you.