Should your restaurant reply to every Google and Yelp review?

Short answer: yes, reply to almost all of them, and do it within a few days. Replies show future guests that someone is paying attention. Google recommends replying to reviews in its own Business Profile tips. With an AI assistant set up once, a week of replies takes about 15 minutes.

Why unanswered reviews cost you money

People read reviews before they choose where to eat, and they read the owner's replies too. An angry review with no reply looks like the owner doesn't care. The same review with a calm, specific reply often reads as a good sign.

Unanswered reviews also waste free feedback. Reviews tell you which dishes people love and where service slips.

What to say (the short version)

• Happy review: thank them by name, mention something specific they said, and invite them back. Keep it to 2–3 sentences.
• Unhappy review: stay calm, apologize for the experience without arguing about the facts, and give them a way to reach you privately. Never share a customer's details.
• Mixed review: thank them for the good, own the bad, and say what you're changing if it's true.

Never offer anything in exchange for a review or ask only happy guests to leave one. Both break Google's and Yelp's rules.

How AI makes it fast

1. Create a project in ChatGPT or Claude called "Review Replies."
2. Paste in a setup prompt with your restaurant's name, tone, sign-off and rules, like "never promise refunds in public."
3. Once a week, paste in new reviews and get draft replies.
4. Read every draft. Fix anything that isn't true, then post it yourself from Google Business Profile or Yelp for Business.

The AI drafts, and you approve. Nothing posts automatically.

Step-by-step

The free playbook has 8 copy-paste prompts (happy, unhappy, mixed, batch and more), a video script and an AI coach prompt: Reply to Google and Yelp Reviews with AI.

FAQ

Is it OK to use AI to write review replies?

Yes, as long as you read and edit each one before posting. Replies should sound like you and be accurate. AI is the first draft, not the final word.

Should I reply to old reviews?

Reply to recent ones first, starting with the last few months. Old negative reviews with a thoughtful reply are worth doing too.

What if a review is fake or breaks the rules?

Report it through Google Business Profile or Yelp for Business. Don't argue with the reviewer in public.