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
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:
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)
| Method | Policy Risk |
|---|---|
| Buying reviews | 🚨 High |
| Incentives / giveaways for reviews | 🚨 High |
| Review gating software / “feedback funnels” | 🚨 High |
| Heavy SMS/email automation (poor practice varies) | ⚠️ Medium |
| QR codes | ✅ Low |
| NFC Review Cards | ✅ Very Low |
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.