Are Review Cards Allowed by Google?

A clear, no-nonsense answer based on Google’s review policies — not opinions or myths.

One of the most common (and important) questions business owners ask is:

“Are review cards actually allowed by Google?”

The short answer is:

✅ Yes — Review Cards ARE allowed by Google when used correctly and ethically.

But there’s nuance. This guide explains:

• What Google actually allows
• What Google forbids
• Where businesses go wrong
• How Review Cards fit into Google’s policies
• What changed in enforcement (and why it matters)
• How to stay 100% safe in 2026

No fear-mongering. No assumptions. Just facts.

⭐ The Direct Answer (Clear & Simple)

Google Review Cards are allowed because they simply provide a shortcut to the official Google Review page — they do not manipulate, filter, or incentivise reviews.

Google does not ban:

• NFC review cards
• QR review cards
• Physical prompts to leave reviews

Google bans behaviour, not tools.

🔍 What Google Actually Cares About (This Is Key)

Google does not care how someone finds the review page. Google cares how reviews are generated. Specifically, Google evaluates whether reviews are:

• ✔ Voluntary
• ✔ Unfiltered
• ✔ Unincentivised
• ✔ Honest
• ✔ Not manipulated

If those conditions are met, the method is allowed.

📜 Google’s Official Review Policy (Simplified)

Google’s review rules live inside Google Maps / Business Profile content policies. You can read them here:

• Google Maps user-generated content policies
• Google Business Profile policies & guidelines

According to these policies, the following are NOT allowed (whether you use cards or not):

• ❌ Incentivising reviews (discounts, freebies, rewards, giveaways)
• ❌ Buying reviews
• ❌ Fake reviews
• ❌ Review gating / filtering (routing unhappy customers away from Google)
• ❌ Bulk or unnatural review manipulation
• ❌ Asking employees, family, or people who didn’t genuinely use the service

Nowhere does Google prohibit:

• ✔ NFC cards that open your official Google review link
• ✔ QR codes that open your official Google review link
• ✔ Asking customers directly (as long as it’s neutral and honest)

That distinction matters.

🧠 Why Review Cards Are Compliant by Design

Review Cards are compliant because they:

• Link directly to the official Google review form
• Do not alter the review flow
• Do not control star ratings
• Do not block negative reviews
• Do not pre-select sentiment
• Do not automate posting

They remove friction, not choice.

⚠️ When Review Cards Become a Problem (Important)

Review Cards only become risky if businesses misuse them.

❌ NOT allowed (even with cards):

• “Only tap if you’re happy” (review gating)
• “Please give us 5 stars”
• “Leave a review and get a discount / freebie”
• Sending unhappy customers elsewhere instead of letting them review freely
• Using multiple links or landing pages to filter sentiment
• Asking staff/friends to use the card
• Creating obvious “review surges” that don’t match real customer volume

The card isn’t the issue — the instruction is.

✅ How to Use Review Cards Safely (Best Practice)

To stay 100% Google-compliant:

✔ Ask neutrally

Say:

“If you’d like to leave a Google review, you can tap here.”

Not:

“Please give us a good review.”

✔ Don’t offer incentives

• No discounts
• No freebies
• No competitions

✔ Avoid gating or filtering

Use one direct Google review link. No “happy path / unhappy path” routing.

✔ Keep it real

Ask real customers. Let them choose their rating. Let Google handle moderation.

📊 Review Cards vs Other Methods (Policy Risk)

Used correctly, Review Cards are one of the lowest-risk ways to collect reviews because they don’t change what customers can say — they only make it easier to get to the official review page.

🧠 Common Myths (Debunked)

❌ “Google bans review cards”

False. There is no policy that bans NFC or QR review cards.

❌ “QR codes are safer than NFC”

False. Both are simply links to the same official review form.

❌ “You can’t ask for reviews”

False. You can ask — you just can’t manipulate, incentivise, or filter.

🏁 Final Answer (No Confusion)

✅ Yes — Review Cards ARE allowed by Google.

They are safe when they are:

• ✔ Neutral
• ✔ Unincentivised
• ✔ Unfiltered (no gating)
• ✔ Linked directly to the official Google review page
• ✔ Used with real customers who genuinely had the experience

Google wants real customers to leave real feedback. Review Cards simply make that easier. The danger is not the tool — the danger is how badly some businesses use it.