Review Generation Best Practices for Restaurants

You’ve got a great team, delicious food, and happy guests walking out your door every day—but your online reviews don’t reflect it yet. That’s where review generation comes in.

Before we dive in: Review generation isn’t about buying fake reviews or spamming your entire guest list with asks. (Please, don’t do that.) It’s about asking for honest feedback at the right moment, in the right way, from the right people.

In this guide, we’ll break down the dos and don’ts of review generation, how to stay in line with platform policies, and how to turn your happiest guests into your strongest advocates. And while we’re at it, we’ll show you how Marqii can help you manage all your reviews from one place—because once the stars start rolling in, you’ll want to be ready.

What Is Review Generation?

Review generation is the process of encouraging your guests to leave online reviews after they’ve dined with you. Whether it’s on Google, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, or another platform, a steady stream of positive reviews boosts your search visibility, builds trust, and drives more people through your doors.

This is especially important now, when 91% of diners consider reviews and ratings as critical factors in their restaurant choices, according to Modern Restaurant Management.

But here’s the catch: Not every review platform sees review generation the same way—and if you get it wrong, it could do more harm than good.

First Things First: Yelp Has Rules (And They’re Serious)

We’ve got to talk about the elephant in the dining room: Yelp.

Yelp is notoriously strict when it comes to review generation. In the past, they didn’t just ban soliciting reviews on their platform—they would penalize businesses that did any review generation at all, even on other platforms.

The good news? Yelp recently updated their policy. It’s now okay to use review generation tactics—as long as you’re not asking people to leave reviews on Yelp itself.

So what does that mean for your team?

✅ It’s okay to use QR codes, email follow-ups, or direct asks—as long as they don’t mention Yelp.

❌ It’s not okay to ask for Yelp reviews, period.

Stick to platforms like Google, Facebook, and OpenTable, and leave Yelp out of your review generation strategy entirely.

Timing Is Everything: Ask at the End of the Experience

We get it—you’re excited to collect great feedback. But the “when” matters just as much as the “how.”

Asking for a review during the meal or before the check hits the table can feel pushy or presumptuous. Instead, wait until the end of the guest experience, when your diners have had time to enjoy their meal and interact with your team.

Here are a few smart ways to time it right:

• Add a QR code to your receipt or takeaway bag
• Include a review request in your follow-up email or SMS (for digital ordering)
• Have your server mention it after payment: “If you had a great experience, we’d love it if you left us a review on Google!”

This gives your guests a chance to reflect on their visit, and if you’ve nailed the service, they’ll be more than happy to spread the word.

Focus on the Fans: Don’t Blanket Ask Everyone

One of the most effective review generation strategies is also the simplest: Ask 1–2 very happy guests each day.

That’s it. You don’t need to put up a sign on every table or spam your entire email list. In fact, blanket requests can actually backfire by leading to mixed or negative reviews from guests who didn’t have a perfect experience.

Instead, empower your staff to identify guests who are clearly enjoying themselves—smiling, chatting with servers, complimenting the food—and ask them personally.

A quick, friendly script can go a long way:

“We’re so glad you had a great time tonight. If you’re willing, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It really helps more people find us.”

Personal, genuine, and low-pressure—that’s the winning combo.

QR Codes, Links, and Table Tents: Tools That Work

Your guests are already on their phones—meet them there.

Setting up a simple QR code or direct link to your preferred review platform makes it easy for happy diners to leave a review while the experience is still fresh.

Here’s how you can use QR codes effectively:

• Printed on the receipt
• Table tents or check presenters that say “Loved your visit? Let us know on Google!”
• Takeout packaging for off-premise orders
• Follow-up emails with one-click review links

Just make sure the QR code takes diners to the correct platform—ideally Google—and doesn’t include any language that could be interpreted as incentivizing or filtering reviews.

The Don’ts of Review Generation

We’ve covered the dos, but let’s recap the don’ts to keep your strategy clean and compliant:

❌ Don’t offer discounts or rewards in exchange for reviews

❌ Don’t ask guests to leave a review only if they had a good experience (this is called review gating)

❌ Don’t automate mass review requests to all guests without human oversight

❌ Don’t include Yelp in your review generation strategy at all

❌ Don’t forget to monitor and respond to the reviews you do receive

Okay, You’ve Got More Reviews. Now What?

Once those reviews start rolling in, it’s not just about volume—it’s about engagement.

Responding to reviews shows potential guests that you’re attentive, responsive, and committed to great service—even when things don’t go perfectly.

That’s where Marqii comes in.

With Marqii, you can:

• See all your reviews across Google, Facebook, Yelp, and more—in one place
• Use AI-generated review responses and templates to save time and stay on-brand
• Set up alerts for new or urgent reviews so you never miss a beat
• Track trends and performance over time

Because generating reviews is just step one. Managing and learning from them? That’s where the real magic happens.

Final Bite: Make Review Generation a Daily Habit

The best review generation strategies aren’t complex—they’re consistent.

If every team member asks one happy guest per shift, and you make it simple for them to leave a review, you’ll see the results stack up in no time.

Your restaurant already delivers memorable experiences. With a little strategy, you can turn those moments into a digital presence that brings new guests through your doors every day.

Want to learn more about how to manage and respond to the reviews you’re generating? Check out our blog for more tips on maintaining a strong digital presence—and making your online reputation work as hard as you do.