A review response is the reply you write to a customer’s review on Google, Yelp, or another review platform. Both the review and your response are visible to everyone who reads your reviews afterward.
Responding to reviews matters because potential customers read your responses to judge how you handle feedback. A thoughtful response to a positive review shows appreciation. A calm, professional response to a negative review shows maturity. Both build trust.
For positive reviews, keep it short and specific: mention something from their review, thank them, and invite them back. For negative reviews, acknowledge the problem, apologize where appropriate, and offer to continue the conversation privately via email or phone.
The best practice is to respond to every review within 24-48 hours. For detailed examples and templates, see our guide on how to respond to Google reviews.