How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Tattoo Studio: The System That Works
My shop went from 12 Google reviews (4.3 rating) to 87 reviews (4.8 rating) in eight months. During that time, our Google-sourced bookings tripled. Not because we got better at tattooing — because more people could find us and trust us when they did.
Google reviews are the most underrated marketing tool for tattoo studios. They’re free, they directly impact your search ranking, and they’re the first thing potential clients look at when deciding between you and the shop down the street.
Here’s the exact system I use to consistently generate reviews without being annoying about it.
Why Google Reviews Matter More Than You Think
For Local Search Ranking
Google’s local search algorithm heavily weights reviews. More reviews + higher rating = higher ranking for “tattoo shop near me” searches.
| Review Profile | Typical Ranking |
|---|---|
| 0-10 reviews | Rarely visible in top results |
| 10-30 reviews, 4.0+ | Sometimes appears |
| 30-50 reviews, 4.5+ | Regularly in top 5 |
| 50-100 reviews, 4.7+ | Consistently top 3 |
| 100+ reviews, 4.7+ | Dominant position |
For Client Trust
When someone finds your Google listing, they look at three things:
- Your photos (is the work good?)
- Your rating (4.5+ feels trustworthy)
- Your reviews (what do real people say?)
A shop with great photos but 8 reviews loses to a shop with good photos and 80 reviews. Volume builds trust.
For Conversion
Shops with 50+ reviews see 30-45% higher conversion rates (profile view → booking action) compared to shops with fewer than 20 reviews. People are more likely to click “book” when they see consistent positive feedback from real clients.
The Review Collection System
Step 1: Get Your Direct Review Link
Your direct review link bypasses Google’s business listing and takes people straight to the review form. This removes friction and increases completion rates.
How to get it:
- Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard
- Click “Share review form” (or search for “Google review link generator”)
- Copy the URL
- Shorten it with bit.ly or similar (optional but cleaner)
Save this link — you’ll use it everywhere.
Step 2: Automate the Ask
The most effective review requests are automated and timed. Set these up once and they run forever.
Through your booking software:
Most tattoo booking platforms support post-session email sequences:
Porter: Built-in review request automation. Set it to send 10-14 days post-session with your Google review link.
TattooPro.io: Post-session email with customizable content. Include your review link.
If your software doesn’t automate this, set a recurring reminder to send review request texts/emails every Monday for the previous week’s clients.
The email/text template:
“Hey [name]! Hope your [piece description] is healing beautifully. If you’re happy with how it turned out, I’d really appreciate a quick Google review — it helps other people find the studio. Takes about 30 seconds: [review link]. Thanks so much! — [your name]”
Why 10-14 days works: The tattoo is past the ugly peeling phase and starting to look great. The client feels good about it and is most likely to share their positive experience.
Step 3: Ask In Person (For Max Impact)
The automated email catches most people, but an in-person ask during the aftercare wrap-up has the highest conversion rate.
At the end of every session:
“Awesome, you’re all done! Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions. Oh, and if you love how it turns out once it’s healed, I’d really appreciate a Google review — it’s the biggest thing you can do to support the studio. I’ll send you a link in about two weeks.”
This plants the seed. When the automated email arrives, they remember the ask and are more likely to follow through.
Step 4: Make It Visible
QR code at the reception desk: Print a QR code that links to your Google review page. Small sign: “Love your new ink? Leave us a Google review!” Place it where clients pay.
On your aftercare cards: Add “Love your tattoo? Review us on Google: [QR code]” to the back of your aftercare instruction cards.
In your email signature: “Happy client? Leave us a Google review: [link]”
Instagram story highlight: Create a permanent “Reviews” highlight showing screenshots of great reviews with a “Leave yours!” CTA.
Step 5: Respond to Every Review
Why it matters:
- Shows Google you’re active (positive ranking signal)
- Shows potential clients you care
- Encourages others to leave reviews (they see you’ll respond)
For 5-star reviews:
Personalize your response. Don’t copy-paste the same response for everyone — Google may flag it as spam.
“Thanks so much, [name]! That [piece type] came out amazing. Loved working on it. Can’t wait to see you for the next one!”
For 4-star reviews:
Still positive. Acknowledge, thank, and move on.
“Thanks for the kind words, [name]! Really glad you love the piece. We’re always working to make the experience even better. Hope to see you again!”
For negative reviews:
Stay professional. Don’t argue. Offer to resolve.
“I’m sorry your experience didn’t meet expectations, [name]. We take feedback seriously. Please reach out to us directly at [phone/email] so we can make it right.”
Then actually try to resolve it offline. If you do, the client may update or remove their review.
Never:
- Get defensive or argumentative in public responses
- Reveal personal details about the client’s tattoo or visit
- Offer compensation publicly (do this privately)
- Ask the client to remove their review in the public response
Handling Fake or Unfair Reviews
Sometimes you’ll get reviews from people who were never clients, competitors leaving fake 1-stars, or clients who are angry about something unrelated to your work.
Flag fake reviews: In your Google Business Profile, click the three dots on the review and select “Report review.” Google removes reviews that violate their policies (fake, spam, irrelevant).
Respond professionally to unfair reviews: Even if the review is unreasonable, your response is for future clients, not the reviewer. Show grace and professionalism.
Don’t obsess over the occasional bad review. One 2-star review among 80 five-star reviews barely affects your rating. What matters is the overall trend.
Advanced Strategies
Review Velocity Matters
Google favors businesses that receive a steady stream of new reviews over time, not businesses that got 50 reviews two years ago and nothing since. Consistency > volume.
Target: 4-8 new reviews per month. If you’re tattooing 15-20 clients per week and 20-30% leave reviews, that’s 3-6 reviews per week. Achievable with consistent asking.
Review Keywords Help SEO
When clients mention specific services or locations in their reviews, it helps your ranking for those terms.
You can’t ask clients to use specific keywords (that violates Google’s policies), but you can ask good questions that naturally elicit useful language:
“What style did you get?” (they’ll mention “fine line,” “blackwork,” etc.) “Would you recommend us to friends in [city]?” (they might mention the city name)
Google Review Cards
Some shops create physical “review cards” — business-card-sized cards with a QR code and “Leave us a Google review!” message. Hand one to every client at checkout alongside their aftercare card.
Cost: $20-30 for 500 cards (Moo, Vistaprint) Impact: Adds another touchpoint that reminds clients to review.
The Numbers From My Shop
| Metric | Before System | After 8 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Total reviews | 12 | 87 |
| Average rating | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Monthly Google profile views | ~200 | ~650 |
| Monthly booking actions from Google | ~8 | ~28 |
| Monthly revenue attributed to Google | ~$2,000 | ~$7,000 |
The review system costs nothing. The automated emails take zero ongoing effort. And the revenue impact is $5,000/month.
That’s the kind of ROI that makes me wonder why every tattoo shop isn’t doing this.
Quick Start: This Week
Today: Get your Google review direct link Tomorrow: Set up automated review request email in your booking software (10-14 days post-session) This week: Print QR code and place at reception desk After every session: Mention reviews during the wrap-up conversation Weekly: Respond to all new reviews (5 minutes)
Within 3-6 months, you’ll have a review profile that dominates your local market. And it happens on autopilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Google reviews does a tattoo shop need?
Aim for 50+ reviews with a 4.5+ rating to be competitive. Shops with 100+ reviews dominate local rankings. Focus on consistent, ongoing collection.
When is the best time to ask for a Google review?
1-2 weeks after the session, when the piece is healing well. Avoid asking immediately after or during the peeling phase.