Updated June 2026

What are people saying about your dispensary?

Or, are they not saying much at all?

If you want to gain a competitive edge and continue to bring in new customers, Google reviews are incredibly important.

Google reviews matter…a lot

In today’s era of social media and instant gratification, social proof matters A LOT. In terms of things that affect buyer behavior, social proof (reviews) might just be the number 1 factor to consider.

What is social proof? Simply put, it is peer-based proof that a brand is worth a buyer’s money and effort. In other words, consumers are more inclined to believe other customers about their experiences with a brand than they are to believe the brand itself.

The truth is, people have grown less responsive to traditional ads and more likely to look for real feedback from other customers. Reviews also play a role in how customers compare dispensaries on Google, Google Maps, and other local search platforms.

A 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey from BrightLocal found that 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, with 41% saying they always read reviews when browsing for businesses.

For dispensaries, that matters. A customer may find your store through Google Maps, compare your star rating against nearby competitors, scan a few recent reviews, and make a decision before they ever click your website or browse your menu.

With all this in mind...

Getting positive reviews from happy customers can be one of the most important things you ever do

The question is, how do you get more Google reviews for your dispensary? We’ve got the details to help you out below.

How to get more Google reviews

1. Make sure your dispensary is easy to find

Go on a search for your dispensary on Google or Google Maps and see what you find. If your Google Business Profile shows up easily, it should not be too difficult for customers to find either.

If you don’t see your dispensary in the lineup, this can get in the way when happy customers want to leave a review. It could also lead to potential customers reading reviews for your competition and choosing them simply because you don’t show up.

If you want to strengthen this part of your local presence, start with our guide to Google Business Profile for Dispensaries.

A few good pointers to make sure your Google Business listing is easy to find:

• Make sure all of your business information is accurate and filled out, including address, contact info, operating hours, website link, menu link, and business category.

• Include related keywords in your Google Business Profile description, such as cannabis dispensary in City, State.

• Upload photos of your dispensary for visual recognition purposes.

To take things a step further, make sure your Google Business Profile and website are working together. Your website should reinforce your location information, link customers to the right menu, and make it easy for people to get directions. We cover that in more detail in Incorporating Your Google Business Profile Into Your Dispensary Website.

2. Ask for reviews

While soliciting positive reviews is against Google’s guidelines, there is nothing wrong with asking customers for reviews. Happy customers can be your biggest brand advocates, especially when you are just getting started, and many will want to help you spread the word so your business grows.

One important note: asking for reviews is fine, but offering anything in exchange for a review is not. Avoid discounts, loyalty points, free products, gift cards, raffle entries, or any other incentive tied to leaving, changing, or removing a Google review. Google considers incentivized reviews fake engagement, which can lead to reviews being removed and restrictions being placed on your Business Profile.

You can ask for reviews in a lot of different ways, such as:

• In-person: Thank a customer who gives in-person praise and ask them to leave a review on Google for others to see.

• Receipts: Offer a simple request, with a QR code if possible, to leave a review on in-store receipts.

• Marketing materials: Include a request for customer feedback on business cards or other promotional materials.

• Email: Add a simple review request to post-purchase emails or customer follow-ups.

3. Strive to offer excellent customer experiences

This may seem obvious but it’s often forgotten – customers who have a bad experience at your dispensary are more likely to leave a review. This fact is something you have to strive to overcome as a business owner. The best way to do that? Work super hard to make a good impression with your products and services.

The goal should always be to make sure every customer walks away as a happy one. While the old adage may be that you can’t please all customers all the time, you can please most customers most of the time. And, if you make an exceptional impression on several customers, this can always mean the potential for more positive reviews on Google and word-of-mouth referrals.

4. Mention reviews to your email subscribers

Email subscribers are direct points of contact, and there is nothing wrong with asking for Google reviews when you send out email communications. While it is not a good idea to send an email solely to ask something of your subscribers, a review request can easily be worked in when it makes sense.

For example, you may include a short review request in a thank-you email, a post-purchase message, or a customer appreciation campaign. Keep the ask neutral, simple, and easy to act on.

5. Work on your SEO strategy

The better you rank in search results and on Google Maps, the more likely customers are to find your business and leave you a review. Your website also has a big impact on how your dispensary shows up locally, especially when your location pages, business information, backlinks, and content are working together.

If you are trying to improve visibility in local search, reviews should be part of a bigger SEO strategy. A strong review profile helps, but it works best when paired with a complete Google Business Profile, accurate local information, a healthy website, and location-focused content.

For more on this, read our guide to Mastering Local Dispensary SEO.

6. Work with us!

CannaPlanners helps dispensaries build stronger local visibility through Google Business Profile support, local SEO strategy, website improvements, content, and review response guidance. Responding to reviews helps build your reputation, gives customers a better experience, and creates another opportunity to keep your local presence active.

Need a little help with your dispensary’s reputation?

Garnering positive social proof for your dispensary is a big deal. It’s not always easy, and there are several steps involved in moving your review count and rating in the right direction. That’s why we’re here.

At CannaPlanners, we help cannabis businesses connect local SEO, Google Business Profiles, websites, and customer experience so people can find you, choose you, and come back.

Ready to improve your local visibility?