Getting Patients to Leave a Review via SMS [Full Guide]

Getting patients to leave reviews isn’t always easy—emails get ignored, paper forms are forgotten, and front desk reminders rarely stick.

Yet, reviews remain one of the most powerful ways to build trust and bring in new patients.

The good news? Text messaging changes the game.

With SMS, you can reach patients instantly and give them a simple, one-tap way to share their feedback.

Why SMS Works for Patient Reviews

Text messages have an open rate of over 90%, far higher than email’s typical 20%.

This makes SMS one of the most reliable ways to ensure patients actually see and respond to review requests.

SMS also works because it’s quick and convenient.

Patients already use their phones throughout the day, so a short message with a direct review link makes leaving feedback effortless while their visit is still fresh.

Key Considerations Before Requesting Patient Reviews via Text

Before you start sending out SMS review requests, it’s important to understand the compliance, timing, and platform considerations that come with patient communication.

Confirm Patient Consent

Get permission before sending texts. Regulations like HIPAA and TCPA require it, and patients should always have the option to opt out.

Prioritize HIPAA Compliance

Never include personal health information. Keep the message short, general, and focused only on the experience with a direct review link.

Choose the Right Timing

Send requests within 24–48 hours of the appointment, while the visit is fresh. Stick to business hours for the best response rates.

That said, if you've kept these things in mind, let's now talk about how you can effectively send out review requests via text to your patients.

How to Ask Patients for Reviews via SMS

Asking for patient reviews through text messages doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does need to be thoughtful. The key is to make the process easy, timely, and respectful so patients feel comfortable sharing their experiences.

Step 1: Confirm Consent

Before sending any SMS, make sure your patient has agreed to receive text communications. This ensures compliance with HIPAA and TCPA rules while setting a respectful tone.

Step 2: Prepare Your Review Link

Identify the platform where you want reviews (Google, Healthgrades, Yelp, etc.) and generate a direct link to your profile.

Patients are more likely to leave feedback if they can click once and get straight to the review form.

Step 3: Send the Request Promptly

Timing matters. Send your SMS within 24–48 hours of the appointment, while the visit is still fresh in your patient’s memory.

Step 4: Personalize the Message

A simple personalization, like including the patient’s name or referencing the type of visit, makes the request feel more genuine.

Example:

“Hi Sarah, thanks for visiting us today. Could you share your experience in a quick review?”

Step 5: Keep It Short and Clear

Your message should be concise—ideally under 160 characters. Avoid medical details and focus only on asking for feedback.

Step 6: Provide a Direct Call to Action

Close with a clear instruction and link.

Example:

“Leave your review here: [link].” Patients should know exactly what you’re asking them to do.

Step 7: Use Automation Where Possible

Manually sending review requests can be inconsistent and time-consuming.

With a reputation management system like SurgePoint, you can automate SMS review requests, ensuring every patient receives a consistent, timely message without adding more work for your staff.

Proven Tips for Requesting Patient Reviews by Text

These proven tips will boost response rates while keeping patients feeling respected.

Use Clear Branding

Always include your practice’s name so patients know who the message is from. This builds trust and prevents the text from looking like spam.

Provide a Direct Review Link

Avoid making patients hunt for where to leave feedback. A one-click link to Google, Healthgrades, or another platform increases completion rates dramatically.

Avoid Over-Messaging

One follow-up reminder is fine, but don’t spam patients with multiple requests. Too many messages can create frustration and even damage your reputation.

Stay Neutral and Non-Pushy

Frame the request as optional and respectful. Patients should feel encouraged but not pressured to leave a review.

Conclusion

Getting patients to leave a review by SMS is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to strengthen trust and visibility.

As you move forward, remember that reviews are just one part of a bigger reputation strategy.

We’ve shared insights before on how to respond to a bad review on Facebook and whether product testimonials are truly reliable—both worth reading if you’re serious about improving how your business is seen online.

You can also dive deeper into reputation marketing to understand how reviews fit into the bigger picture of growth.

For those of you ready to take the next step, our platform offers more than just reviews.

With Referrals, Insights, Reviews, and Repeat, we help businesses turn customer feedback into long-term results.

You can explore all of this on our website or browse our full blog for more strategies you can apply right away.

We also know that every industry is different, which is why we’ve tailored our solutions for a variety of fields.

Whether you’re managing a law firm, dental office, medical practice, med spa, or even services like plumbing and landscaping, we’ve built tools designed with your needs in mind.

If you’d like to talk with us directly about how SMS review requests can fit into your reputation strategy, feel free to reach out at info@thesurgepoint.com—we’d be happy to help.

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