> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dealerfunnel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automate Google Review Requests with Dealer Funnel

> Connect your Google Business Profile to Dealer Funnel and automatically send SMS review requests to customers after a sale or service appointment.

Online reviews are one of the most powerful factors in a car shopper's dealership selection process. Dealer Funnel's Reviews feature makes it easy to systematically ask every sold customer to share their experience on Google — without adding any manual steps to your team's workflow. Once you connect your Google Business Profile and set up your review request message, Dealer Funnel handles the rest: the right message goes out at the right time, and you can track exactly how many of those requests turn into published reviews.

## What the Reviews Feature Does

When a lead's status is changed to **Sold** in Dealer Funnel, the platform can automatically send that customer an SMS review request directing them to your Google Business Profile. The message is personalized with the customer's first name and includes a direct link to your Google review page — no searching required on the customer's end. Agents can also send review requests manually from within any conversation with a single click, giving your team flexibility to time the request perfectly.

## Connecting Your Google Business Profile

To enable automated review requests, you first need to connect the Google account that manages your dealership's Business Profile.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Reviews Settings">
    Click **Settings** in the left navigation menu, then click **Reviews**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the Google Connection">
    Click **Connect Google Account**. A Google authorization window will open in a new tab or popup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign In with Google">
    Sign in with the Google account (Gmail address) that has owner or manager access to your dealership's Google Business Profile. If you're already signed in to Google in your browser, you may be prompted to confirm the correct account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Dealer Funnel">
    Review the permissions Dealer Funnel is requesting and click **Allow**. Dealer Funnel needs access to read your business profile location and to retrieve your review link. It does not post to your Google account or modify your Business Profile.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Business Location">
    After authorization, Dealer Funnel loads the business locations associated with your Google account. Select your dealership from the dropdown. If you manage multiple rooftops under the same Google account, select each location individually from the appropriate dealership account in Dealer Funnel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Selection">
    Click **Save**. Dealer Funnel confirms the connection and auto-populates your Google review link in the review request message template.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuring the Review Request Message

After connecting your Google Business Profile, customize the review request message your customers will receive.

The default template looks something like this:

> Hi {{first_name}}, thank you for choosing \[Dealership Name]! We'd love to hear about your experience. Leave us a quick Google review here: \[Google Review Link]

You can edit the message text to match your dealership's voice. Keep the following in mind:

* **`{{first_name}}`** — This variable is automatically replaced with the customer's first name when the message sends. Always include it to keep the message feeling personal.
* **Google review link** — This is auto-populated from your connected Business Profile. Do not remove it.
* **Message length** — Keep the message concise. One to three sentences is ideal. Long messages have lower engagement rates.

<Tip>
  Customize your review request message to mention the specific vehicle the customer purchased for a noticeably more personal touch. For example: "We hope you're loving your new Silverado, {{first_name}}!" When customers feel like the message was written for them specifically, they're more likely to follow through and leave a review.
</Tip>

## When Review Requests Are Sent

You can control review request timing in two ways:

**Automatic sending:** When auto-send is enabled, Dealer Funnel sends the review request message automatically any time an agent changes a lead's status to **Sold**. The message goes out immediately after the status change. Enable auto-send by toggling **Auto-Send Review Request on Sold** in the Reviews settings.

**Manual sending:** Even when auto-send is off, any agent can send a review request from within a conversation by clicking the **Send Review Request** button in the conversation toolbar. This gives agents the flexibility to time the ask around the customer relationship — for example, waiting until after delivery is complete.

## Auto-Reply to Google Reviews

Dealer Funnel can automatically respond to new Google reviews posted to your Business Profile using AI-generated replies. When a new review comes in, the AI generates a personalized response based on the review content and your dealership name. You choose which star ratings trigger an auto-reply — for example, you might enable auto-replies for 4- and 5-star reviews only.

### Configuring the AI Prompt

The tone and style of every auto-reply is shaped by an AI prompt that you write and control. Navigate to the **Auto-Reply Settings** section of the Reviews configuration page and enter your instructions in the **AI Prompt** field. Use this field to tell the AI how to represent your dealership — for example, you might specify your dealership's name, the tone you want (warm and friendly, professional and concise, etc.), and any phrases you always or never want to use.

**Example AI prompt:**

> You are responding to Google reviews on behalf of \[Dealership Name]. Always thank the reviewer by name if available. Keep replies under four sentences. Use a warm, professional tone. Never make promises about pricing or service.

The more specific your prompt, the more consistent and on-brand your auto-replies will be.

### Selecting Which Ratings Receive Auto-Replies

In the Auto-Reply Settings section, use the star rating selector to choose which review ratings should trigger an automatic response. Selecting only 4- and 5-star reviews, for instance, lets you handle lower-rated reviews with a personal touch from a manager rather than an automated reply.

### Enabling Auto-Reply

Toggle **Auto-Reply to Google Reviews** on or off in the Auto-Reply Settings section. When enabled, Dealer Funnel posts an AI-generated reply to each new review that matches your selected star ratings. When disabled, reviews are not replied to automatically — your team can still reply manually through Google.

<Warning>
  Google's review policies prohibit offering customers anything of value in exchange for a Google review — including discounts, gifts, service credits, or cash. Review requests sent through Dealer Funnel must not include any language that could be interpreted as incentivizing a review. Violating Google's policies can result in your Business Profile having reviews removed or being penalized. Keep your review request message straightforward and genuine.
</Warning>

## Viewing Review Performance

To see how your review requests are performing, navigate to **Reports > Reviews**. The Reviews report shows:

* Total review requests sent in the selected date range
* Estimated number of new reviews generated (based on review count changes on your profile)
* Request send rate by agent (if agents are sending manual requests)

Use this report monthly to gauge whether your review request cadence is working and to hold the team accountable for sending requests consistently after every sold deal.