Google Reviews for Beauty Salons and Spas

Beauty salons, hair salons, and cosmetic studios are among the industries where reviews matter most. Clients are entrusting you with their appearance — and that is a level of trust you have to earn. Google reviews are how you build that trust before a client even walks through the door.

Why the Beauty Industry Lives and Dies by Reviews

• 97 % of consumers read reviews of local businesses (BrightLocal, 2026, US data)
• Photos of results (before/after) show the work better than text
• Clients may be willing to travel further for a salon with better reviews
• In the beauty sector, a recommendation from another woman is the strongest purchase signal

What Clients Evaluate in Reviews

• Quality of the work — how the haircut, nails, or make-up looks
• Communication — whether the stylist/beautician understood what they wanted
• Ambience — cleanliness, atmosphere, salon design
• Punctuality — whether the appointment started on time
• Price transparency — no surprises at checkout
• Personal touch — do they remember my preferences?

When to Ask for a Review

Ideal Moments

1. At the mirror — the client has the result right in front of them
2. At checkout — the natural close of the visit
3. SMS the same day or the next morning (with consent) — the visit is still fresh in memory
4. After sharing on Instagram — a client who photographs the result has their phone out, but offer the QR code to everyone, not only them

How to Ask Naturally

"If you would like to write a few words on Google, it helps us a lot. Other clients use reviews when deciding where to go."

Say the same sentence to every client, not only the one who praises the result. Google’s policy prohibits businesses from “selectively solicit[ing] positive reviews from customers” (Google).

The tone should match your communication style. In the beauty sector it is natural to be a little more personal.

For an SMS, keep the text short, neutral and in plain characters:

OS: [Salon name] ([registered company name]) thanks you for visiting. If you would like to say how you liked it, the Google review is here: [link]. Free opt-out: [link] or call free of charge on [toll-free number].

In the Czech Republic, the Office for Personal Data Protection (ÚOOÚ) says that a review request by SMS or email can be considered a commercial communication (ÚOOÚ). You may send it to a client who gave consent, or under the customer exception; the ÚOOÚ does not explicitly say the exception covers a review request, so we recommend a consent checkbox, for example on the online booking. Czech rules also require the message to be marked (“OS:” is the Czech abbreviation for a commercial communication), to name who sends it and to offer a free opt-out; for an SMS also a number that can be called free of charge. Other countries have their own rules for electronic marketing, so check the ones that apply to you. I am not a lawyer, so have the template checked.

Tips Specific to the Beauty Industry

Photos in Reviews

You can tell clients that a photo can be added to a review, but do not make anything conditional on it and do not dictate what they write. A review with a photo:

• Shows the result better than text
• Acts as a portfolio for your salon

Instagram × Google Synergy

Many salons have a strong Instagram presence but a weak Google profile. That is a mistake:

• Instagram showcases your work to existing followers
• Google reviews capture people who are actively searching for you
• You need both — Instagram for branding, Google for new client acquisition

Loyalty Programme and Reviews

If you run a loyalty programme, weave review collection into the process:

• After a client's 3rd visit, send an automated review request
• Do not tie reviews to rewards — that violates Google's policies
• A simple reminder that a review helps is all you need

Responding to Beauty Salon Reviews

Positive Reviews

Be personal and authentic:

"Thank you, Tereza! That balayage really suits you. Next time we could try that shade we talked about. Looking forward to seeing you!"

Negative Reviews

In the beauty sector, negative reviews are especially sensitive — they touch on personal appearance:

"We're sorry the result did not meet your expectations. It matters deeply to us that every client leaves happy. We'd love to invite you for a complimentary consultation — please reach out to us at [number]."

Automation for Salons

Between clients, you have no time for manual review collection. Reputive takes care of it:

• After a visit, the system sends the clients you added an SMS (and up to three emails in a sequence)
• When a review matches the client’s name, further messages stop; with a nickname or another account the match may fail
• AI drafts replies to new reviews, which you approve before they are published
• You can see how your rating is developing over time

Checklist for Beauty Salons

1. ✅ Google Business profile with professional photos of your work and interior
2. ✅ Correct category (hair salon, beauty studio, nail salon…)
3. ✅ QR code at the mirror and at reception
4. ✅ Automated SMS to clients who gave consent after each visit
5. ✅ Instagram and Google profile cross-promotion
6. ✅ Reputive for review collection and AI-assisted responses

Want more clients for your salon? Try Reputive free — 14 days, no commitment, no credit card required.