Review gating means asking customers how their experience was first, then sending only the satisfied ones to a public review site while steering unhappy ones to a private form. It can look like a clever way to protect a rating, but it filters out honest feedback before the public sees it.
Google's review policies prohibit selectively asking for positive reviews, and offering rewards for reviews is against them too. Businesses caught doing it risk having reviews removed. The safer path is to ask every customer the same way, give everyone the same public link, and answer criticism openly.
Imagine a roofing company called Summit Ridge Roofing that used a star screen: four or five stars went to Google, the rest to a private form. Switching to one honest ask for every customer, with the same Google link for all, keeps its reviews trustworthy and within the rules.
In aiKit, the Reviews tool sends every customer the same ask and the same Google link, and request wording written in your Brand Voice is checked so it never gates or rewards reviews. A private note is offered to everyone alongside the public link, not instead of it.
Related terms
See it in practice
How to get more Google reviews without review gating
Ask every customer for an honest review the same way, with reminders, tracking and your Google link for everyone. No gating, no rewards for reviews.
Use caseAI tools for bakeries: specials, photos, videos and reviews
AI tools for bakeries: daily special posts, menu flyers, captioned videos and review asks from one account. Free to start with a monthly AI allowance.
Use caseQuote software for contractors: from a voice note to a signed yes
Turn a voice note or a customer's email into a one-page contractor quote priced from your own prices. Send a live page they accept by typed name.
Use caseOnline booking for salons, on your own website
A booking page on your salon's website: services, stylists, real open times, reminders and self-serve changes, plus a day calendar for the front desk.