Review timing
When to ask for a review: use the experience, not a magic hour
There is no universal “best time.” The best trigger is the earliest point when the customer can fairly judge the completed experience without the request feeling premature.
Timing by business type
| Business | Good trigger | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Home service | After the job is marked complete | The customer can assess the visible service outcome. |
| Salon / med spa | After the completed appointment, with a short delay | The interaction has ended and the customer has immediate context. |
| Dentist / professional office | After the appointment or a defined service milestone | A consistent operational event is easier to automate than staff judgment. |
| Contractor | After a completed phase or final handoff, depending on project length | Long projects may need a meaningful milestone rather than waiting months. |
| Automotive service | After pickup / service completion | The customer has seen the completed work and checkout experience. |
Three rules
- Do not ask before the customer has a real experience to review.
- Do not let staff decide based on whether they expect a positive rating.
- Do not keep chasing indefinitely; cap reminders and monitor complaints.
Once timing is defined, implement it in a review request workflow.
Continue the research
Primary sources checked
Product details and prices can change. These sources were checked on October 1, 2026.