Reviews sell products, and most happy customers never leave one. Not because they don't want to, but because nobody asked at the right moment, in a way that took ten seconds. A review request by text reaches people where they're most likely to answer, right after they've had a chance to use what they bought.
Below are 20 review request texts, grouped by situation, with short and personal versions, a character count for each and advice on timing. We also cover what to do when the reply is a complaint instead of five stars, and the rules that keep review requests honest.
How to use these templates: words in curly brackets, like {name} and {link}, are placeholders your texting tool fills in. Each count shows the length once they are filled in, and how many message segments that takes. Every template is plain text with no emoji, so one segment holds 160 characters.
Ground rules
- Only text people who opted in: A review request promotes your store, so treat it like a marketing text: send it to customers who agreed to texts from you. See SMS opt-in language examples.
- Include opt-out wording: Every template here ends with "Reply STOP to opt out." If your tool adds it automatically, remove it from the template.
- Ask everyone the same way: Don't send review links only to customers you think are happy. Google's review policies prohibit selectively asking for positive reviews, and the FTC's rule on consumer reviews and testimonials (16 CFR Part 465, in effect since October 21, 2024) bars incentives that depend on a review being positive and bars suppressing negative reviews.
- Disclose incentives: If you offer points or a discount for a review, offer it for any honest review, good or bad, and make sure the review platform's rules allow it.
- One ask, one reminder: Ask once, remind once if they haven't reviewed, then stop.
Not legal advice. The rules above were checked on October 17, 2026. Review platforms set their own policies, and they change; read the current terms for the platform you use.
Standard requests after delivery
The most common review request. Send it once the customer has had time to try the product.
| When to send | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| 7 to 14 days after delivery, short | {store}: How's your {product}? A quick review helps other shoppers: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 119 (1 segment) |
| 7 to 14 days after delivery, personal | {store}: Hi {name}, it's the {store} team. Would you share a few words about your {product}? {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 144 (1 segment) |
| Star rating first | {store}: On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your {product}? Reply with a number. Reply STOP to opt out. | 115 (1 segment) |
| After a star rating reply | {store}: Thanks, {name}! Would you add a sentence or two? Here's the link: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 120 (1 segment) |
| Reminder, 5 days after the first ask | {store}: Still have a minute for a quick review of {product}? {link}. Thanks either way! Reply STOP to opt out. | 132 (1 segment) |
By kind of product
| When to send | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Consumables, after a week or two of use | {store}: You've had your {product} for a couple of weeks. How's it working for you? Review it here: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 151 (1 segment) |
| Clothing and shoes, about fit | {store}: How does it fit, {name}? A review with your usual size helps others choose: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 130 (1 segment) |
| Bigger purchases, after a few weeks | {store}: Now that you've used your {product} for a few weeks, we'd love your honest review: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 143 (1 segment) |
| Gifts | {store}: Did your gift land well? If you've seen it in use, a short review helps: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 130 (1 segment) |
Subscribers
Subscribers have used your product over and over, which makes their reviews especially useful to new shoppers. Ask after the second or third delivery, not the first.
| When to send | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| After the 2nd or 3rd delivery | {store}: You've been with us for 3 deliveries, {name}. What would you tell someone thinking of subscribing? {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 153 (1 segment) |
| After a flavor or product swap | {store}: How do you like {product} compared with your last one? Tell other subscribers here: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 144 (1 segment) |
| Subscriber anniversary | {store}: It's been a year, {name}! Thanks for being a subscriber. Would you leave a review? {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 137 (1 segment) |
Photo reviews and incentives
| When to send | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Asking for a photo | {store}: Got a photo of your {product} in action? Add it to your review and help others see it for real: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 156 (1 segment) |
| With points for any honest review | {store}: Leave an honest review of {product} and get {points} reward points, whatever you rate it: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 145 (1 segment) |
| Local business or pickup customers | {store}: Thanks for picking up your order! If you have a minute, we'd appreciate a review on Google: {link}. Reply STOP to opt out. | 149 (1 segment) |
When the reply is a complaint
Ask enough people and some will tell you something went wrong. That's useful: a problem you hear about by text is one you can fix before it becomes a one-star review or a chargeback. Reply fast, fix it, and don't ask for a review in the same breath.
| When to send | Template | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| A low rating or a complaint | {store}: We're sorry it wasn't right, {name}. Can you tell us what happened? A real person will reply and make it right. | 120 (1 segment) |
| After you've fixed the problem | {store}: Your replacement is on the way, {name}. Thanks for telling us, and sorry again for the trouble. | 104 (1 segment) |
| If they ask how to leave a review | {store}: Of course. You can review your order here: {link}. Thank you for the honest feedback. | 112 (1 segment) |
| A complaint about the request itself | {store}: Sorry to bother you. We won't send more review requests. Reply STOP anytime to end all texts. | 105 (1 segment) |
| Thanks for a review that's already posted | {store}: Thank you for your review, {name}! It really helps a small team like ours. Reply STOP to opt out. | 106 (1 segment) |
- Don't argue or pressure: Never ask a customer to change or remove a review in exchange for a refund. The FTC rule bars review suppression.
- Answer quickly: An unhappy customer who gets a real answer in minutes is far more forgiving than one who waits days.
- Fix the cause: Group complaints by product and problem each month. The same complaint three times is a product or packaging issue, not a customer service one.
Timing
| Product | When to ask | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday consumables (food, coffee, supplements) | 7 to 14 days after delivery | Long enough to try it more than once |
| Beauty and skin care | 2 to 4 weeks after delivery | Results take time to show |
| Clothing and shoes | 5 to 10 days after delivery | After they've tried it on, before the return window closes |
| Electronics and durable goods | 3 to 4 weeks after delivery | After setup and real use |
| Subscriptions | After the 2nd or 3rd delivery | They've made it a habit |
Send review requests between late morning and early evening in the customer's time zone, and never during quiet hours. Don't send a review request in the same week as a delay or problem text for that order.
Short or personal?
- Short: Fits in one segment, works for large volumes and repeat customers who know you.
- Personal: Names the team, sounds like a person and gets more replies. Use it only if someone will read and answer those replies.
- Two-step (rating, then link): Starts a conversation and tells you who had a problem. Send the review link to everyone who answers, whatever their rating.
Send review requests with Chargezen
- Follow-up automations: SmartyTap automations send thank-you and follow-up messages by text and email, started by a purchase or a date, so review requests go out at the right time after delivery.
- Permission checked first: SmartyTap texts check opt-ins, opt-outs, quiet hours and preferences before each one goes out.
- Unhappy replies handled: When a customer replies with a problem, Concierge answers by text, looks up the order and hands hard cases to your team with the conversation attached. See text messages and human handoff.
- Rewards for honest reviews: If you run a loyalty program, points can go to every reviewer. See loyalty points.
SmartyTap Starter is $20 a month with 250 SMS credits; Pro is $199 a month with 2,500. See pricing.
Glossary: user-generated content, SMS campaign, SMS opt-in and CSAT. More templates: shipping update texts, welcome texts and after-hours auto-replies.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to send a review request text?
After the customer has used the product, which depends on what you sell: about a week or two for consumables, longer for skin care and durable goods. Send it during the day in their time zone.
Can I send review links only to happy customers?
It's risky and often against the rules. Google prohibits selectively soliciting positive reviews, and the FTC's review rule bars suppressing negative ones. Ask everyone, and fix problems when you hear about them.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
Only for any honest review, never only for positive ones, and only if the review platform allows incentives. Say what the incentive is.
Do review request texts need opt-in?
Treat them as marketing: send them only to customers who agreed to receive texts from you, and include opt-out wording.
