How to Get More Google Reviews as a Mortgage Broker (Without Being Pushy)

04 September 2026·3 min read

Quick answer: The best time to ask a mortgage broker client for a Google review is settlement day, not approval day — that's when relief and gratitude peak and the deal is actually done. A simple, personal text or email with a direct review link outperforms any generic mass request. 💬

Most brokers either never ask for reviews, or ask at the wrong moment — right after loan approval, before settlement has even happened. 💖 If something falls through between approval and settlement, that early review can feel awkward or premature. The clients who write the most genuine, detailed reviews are the ones asked once the whole process is actually finished and they can look back on it.

What most brokers get wrong

Asking too early is the most common mistake, followed closely by never asking at all and relying on whoever feels moved enough to leave a review unprompted — which skews heavily toward people who are unhappy, not happy. A steady, well-timed ask fixes both problems at once.

The review request timeline:

Approval — celebrate with the client, but don't ask yet.
Settlement day — send a short, warm, personalised text or email with a direct Google review link.
Two weeks later — one polite, final follow-up for anyone who hasn't responded. No more than one follow-up.
Refinance anniversary — a light touchpoint that can also double as a natural review request for long-term clients.

A broker working with first home buyers: Sends a settlement-day text personalised to the client's own journey — "you did it, [name]!" — with the review link attached. The personal framing gets noticeably more responses than a generic template ever did.

A broker who follows up once, politely: Sends a single, low-pressure reminder two weeks after settlement to anyone who hasn't left a review — no further nudges after that, respecting that not everyone will, and that matters more than the review count.

A broker specialising in self-employed clients: Asks these specific clients to mention how their more complex serviceability situation was handled — the resulting reviews now attract more of that exact ideal client type, because prospective clients see themselves in the story.

How to actually do this

Make it as easy as physically possible — a direct link with no extra steps, sent by text (higher open rates than email) on settlement day itself. A small settlement gift with a QR code linking to your review page is a lovely, non-transactional touch — just don't frame the gift as conditional on leaving a review. Always respond to reviews once they come in, thanking the client by name.

💡 Timing matters more than wording. The exact same request sent on settlement day will outperform a beautifully worded one sent a month later, after the excitement has faded.

Mistakes to avoid

Asking before the loan has actually settled.
Offering a discount or incentive tied to leaving a review — against Google's policy.
Sending an impersonal, mass-blasted request with no reference to the client's specific situation.
Never responding to the reviews once they come in.

Please note: general marketing information. Incentivising reviews breaches Google's policies and may raise separate compliance considerations for credit representatives — keep any post-settlement gift entirely separate from the review request itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can we offer a small gift for leaving a review?

No — tying any incentive to leaving a review breaches Google's policy. A genuine, unconditional settlement gift is a lovely gesture on its own; just don't link the two.

What if a client leaves a negative review?

Respond calmly and professionally, take specifics offline where possible, and never get defensive publicly — how you respond is often seen by far more people than the original review itself.

Does review volume or review detail matter more?

Both matter, but detailed, specific reviews (mentioning the type of loan or situation) do more to attract similar future clients than a high volume of generic five-star ratings with no detail.

Should we ask every single client, even quick, simple ones?

Yes, but keep the ask proportionate — a light, easy request works for every settlement, even a straightforward one; you don't need a different approach for "easy" versus "complex" clients.

Keep reading 🤍

Written by

Kate, founder of Chronically Online

I help Gold Coast and Brisbane businesses grow with branding, websites and marketing that actually works.

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