How to write custom review response prompts?
Learn to create AI-powered review responses that sound genuinely human and perfectly match your brand.
Standard Prompt Templates
We offer 5 pre-built templates you can use directly within platform or customize for your business:
1. Short / Generic Positive
Best for: Generic responses that suit most scenarios
Response length: 1-4 sentences
Tone: Professional, neutral
Please respond to the following review: {review} from the author: {author} that has a rating of {rating}. Keep the response short, professional and always respond in {language} on behalf of {organization}.
2. Quick & Grateful ⚡
Best for: High-volume businesses needing fast, authentic responses
Response length: 1-3 sentences
Tone: Casual, warm, efficient
Respond to {author}'s {rating}-star review: "{review}" in {language} on behalf of {organization}.
Instructions:
- Thank them genuinely in ONE specific way (avoid "thank you for your review")
- Reference ONE detail from their experience if mentioned
- End with a warm, simple invitation back
- Maximum 3 sentences total
- If review has no text, just one warm sentence thanking them for the rating
Tone Guidelines:
- Write like you're genuinely pleased, not performing customer service
- Use simple, everyday language
- Skip formal phrases like "We appreciate your patronage"
- Don't use marketing language or superlatives
Example patterns:
"So glad you enjoyed [specific thing]. [Personal observation]. Looking forward to serving you again!"
"This made our day! [Specific acknowledgment]. Do visit us again soon."
Sign off naturally without titles or formal signatures.
3. Warm and Conversational 🤝
Best for: Hospitality, salons, clinics, building personal connections
Response length: 3-4 sentences
Tone: Personal, friendly, engaging
Craft a warm, personable response to {author}'s {rating}-star review: "{review}" in {language} for {organization}.
Your approach:
- Start with genuine appreciation using their first name (ONLY if clearly a first name, not username)
- Share ONE specific thing that made you happy about their experience
- Add a personal touch that shows you care about them as an individual
- Close with a neighborly invitation that feels like it's from a friend
Writing style:
- Imagine you're talking to a neighbor who visited your business
- Use "we" to represent your team, showing collective care
- Include ONE relevant emoji if appropriate (🙏 ✨ 💚 😊)
- Keep it conversational but respectful
Absolutely avoid:
- "Your satisfaction is our priority" or similar hollow phrases
- Overly formal language
- Generic responses that could fit any review
- Marketing speak or promotional content
Signature: "Team {organization}" or just "{organization}"
4. Professional & Polished ✨
Best for: Premium services, B2B, luxury brands
Response length: 3-4 sentences
Tone: Sophisticated, refined, composed
Compose a refined response to {author}'s {rating}-star review: "{review}" in {language} representing {organization}.
Brand voice:
- Gracious and composed, never effusive
- Acknowledge their experience with understated appreciation
- Use elevated but accessible language
- Reference the specific service/experience they mentioned
- Subtly reinforce your commitment to excellence
Structure:
- Opening: Dignified acknowledgment
- Middle: Specific reference to their experience
- Close: Refined invitation for continued association
Language notes:
- Use formal address unless clearly inappropriate
- Choose precise words over flowery language
- Maintain warmth within professionalism
- Never sound defensive or overly eager
Sign professionally: "{organization}"
5. Problem Solver 🛠️
Best for: Addressing negative reviews (1-3 stars)
Response length: 3-5 sentences
Tone: Empathetic, accountable, solution-focused
Respond to {author}'s critical {rating}-star review: "{review}" in {language} for {organization}.
Your mission: Show genuine concern without being defensive or offering false promises.
Response framework:
1. ACKNOWLEDGE
2. EMPATHIZE: Show you understand their specific frustration
3. EXPLAIN (only if helpful): Brief, honest context without excuses
4. COMMIT: Express commitment to improvement without specific promises
5. APPRECIATE: Thank them for helping you improve
Critical rules:
- NEVER say "We apologize for any inconvenience" or similar templates
- Don't question their experience or contradict them
- Avoid offering compensation, discounts, or asking them to contact privately
- Don't make promises you can't keep ("This will never happen again")
- Skip corporate deflection phrases
- If the review length is shorter than 10 words or if the review has no comments, keep your response under 50 words and don't exaggerate things or overexplain
- Don't repeat any message inside response
Tone:
- Human and humble, not corporate
- Take responsibility without over-apologizing
- Show you've actually read and understood their concern
- Keep dignity while being accountable
- Uses simple, empathetic language instead of corporate phrases
Write a unique response to the user review while maintaining the core response framework.
Sign: "Team {organization}"
6. Natural Flow 🌊
Best for: Brands wanting maximum variety to avoid AI detection
Response length: Variable (1-5 sentences)
Tone: Adaptive, human-like, unpredictable
Generate a natural, unique response to {author}'s {rating}-star review: "{review}" in {language} for {organization}.
CORE MISSION: Create responses that feel genuinely human-written by avoiding detectable patterns while maintaining professional quality.
FOUNDATION RULES (Always Apply):
- Stay professional and appropriate
- Be genuinely grateful for positive reviews
- Show empathy for negative reviews
- Keep the brand voice consistent
- Ensure the message is clear and complete
PATTERN-BREAKING MECHANISMS:
1. OPENING VARIETY (Choose based on review content, not randomly):
For positive reviews with specific mentions:
- Jump straight to the specific detail they loved
- Express how their feedback impacts the team
- Share genuine enthusiasm about what they experienced
For positive reviews without details:
- Simple, heartfelt appreciation
- Brief acknowledgment of their rating
- Genuine reaction to their support
For negative reviews:
- Direct acknowledgment of the issue
- Empathetic understanding
- Honest ownership without corporate speak
2. STRUCTURAL FLEXIBILITY (Let content determine structure):
- If the review is brief → Keep response brief
- If review has multiple points → Address the most impactful one
- If emotional review → Match with appropriate warmth
- If factual review → Respond with clarity
- Never force a three-part structure (opening-middle-closing)
3. LENGTH VARIATION (Based on context, not random):
- Rating without text: 1 sentence
- Brief review (under 10 words): 1-2 sentences
- Detailed review: 2-4 sentences
- Complex/negative review: 3-5 sentences
- Never pad to reach a certain length
- Never cut important acknowledgments to stay brief
4. NATURAL LANGUAGE PATTERNS:
Rotate between different expression styles:
- "Love that you noticed [detail]" vs "The [detail] is something we're proud of"
- "So happy you enjoyed..." vs "Great to hear about..." vs "Glad the [X] worked out"
- "Appreciate the feedback" vs "Thanks for sharing this" vs "This helps us improve"
Use natural transitions and connectors:
- "Actually," "Honestly," "You know what," (sparingly)
- Start some sentences with "And," "But," or "So" when natural
- Use contractions normally (we're, that's, you've)
- Occasional parenthetical thoughts (but not forced)
5. SIGNATURE INTELLIGENCE:
Based on response tone:
- Warm response → "Cheers!" or "Best," or emoji
- Professional response → "{organization}" or "Team {organization}"
- Apologetic response → "With regards," or full team name
- Brief response → No signature or just initials
- Match signature weight to response weight
6. AUTHENTICITY MARKERS (Use naturally, not randomly):
- Mention time/day ONLY if relevant ("Friday afternoon boost" for a review that comes on Friday)
- Use specific details from review to show careful reading
- Reference seasonal/local context ONLY when it adds value
- Include team reactions ONLY when genuine
- Use one emoji maximum, ONLY when it enhances (not decorates)
7. PHRASE AVOIDANCE (Never use these AI giveaways):
- "Thank you for your review/feedback"
- "We appreciate your business"
- "We hope to see you again"
- "Your satisfaction is our priority"
- "We strive to provide"
- "It's great to hear"
- Any phrase that could fit any business
8. RESPONSE FRESHNESS RULES:
- Never use the same opening twice in a row
- Vary sentence structure (not all starting with "We" or "Thank")
- Mix statement types (declarations, observations, appreciation)
- Change emphasis points (sometimes food, sometimes service, sometimes atmosphere)
- Rotate between "we," "our team," and implied first person
9. CONTEXT-AWARE RESPONSES:
For 5-star reviews: Don't over-thank. Be pleased but natural.
For 4-star reviews: Acknowledge positivity, curious but not desperate about the gap.
For 3-star reviews: Balanced response, acknowledge both good and areas to improve.
For 2-star reviews: Focus on understanding and improvement without groveling.
For 1-star reviews: Professional, accountable, but maintain dignity.
10. QUALITY CONTROL CHECKLIST:
Before generating, ensure the response:
✓ Addresses the actual content (not generic)
✓ Sounds like a human wrote it quickly but carefully
✓ Varies from previous responses in structure
✓ Matches the energy level of the review
✓ Feels complete without being formulaic
✓ Would make sense if read aloud
EXAMPLES OF NATURAL VARIATION (same review, different approaches):
Review: "Amazing pizza and great service!"
Approach 1: "Your comment about our pizza just made our chef's day! Thanks for the love."
Approach 2: "Amazing pizza is what we aim for - so glad we hit the mark. Appreciate you!"
Approach 3: "This is exactly what we love hearing. Come back soon!"
Approach 4: "The team's going to love this. Thanks for making our day!"
Approach 5: "Really glad both the food and service hit the spot. Cheers!"
Notice: All professional, all appropriate, but each structured differently with different focal points.
FINAL INSTRUCTION:
Write as if you're a real person who cares about the business, reading and responding to this specific review for the first time. Don't try to be perfect - be genuine.
Standard Elements (The Essentials)
These are the foundational elements used in all our standard prompts. Include these in your custom prompt for best results:
📝 1. Core Instructions
Define the primary task and context:
Template:
"Respond to {author}'s {rating}-star review: '{review}' in {language} on behalf of {organization}."
Customization Options:
- Add platform context: "...for our Google Business profile"
- Add timing context: "...received during our busy season"
- Add reviewer context: "...from a first-time customer" (if known)
🎨 2. Tone & Style Guidelines
Set the voice and personality:
Template Options:
- Casual: "Write conversationally, like texting a friend"
- Professional: "Maintain polished, business-appropriate tone"
- Warm: "Be friendly and welcoming, like a neighborhood shop owner"
- Empathetic: "Show genuine understanding and care"
Style Modifiers:
- Energy level: High/Moderate/Calm
- Formality: Very Casual/Casual/Neutral/Formal/Very Formal
- Warmth: Distant/Professional/Friendly/Very Warm
📏 3. Response Length Control
Manage response size:
Length Templates:
- "Maximum 2 sentences for 5-star reviews"
- "Keep all responses between 50-100 words"
- "1-2 sentences for ratings without text"
- "3-5 sentences for detailed reviews"
- "Never exceed 150 words regardless of review length"
Platform-Specific:
- Google: 50-100 words optimal
- Instagram: Under 50 words
- TripAdvisor: 75-125 words
✍️ 4. Signature Format
How to sign off responses:
Basic Templates:
- Simple: "{organization}"
- Team-based: "Team {organization}"
- Warm: "With gratitude, {organization}"
- Professional: "Best regards, {organization}"
Conditional Signatures:
- For positive: "Cheers! - {organization}"
- For negative: "Regards, {organization} Management"
- For neutral: "{organization} Team"
🚫 5. Anti-Pattern Rules
Avoid AI detection and generic responses:
Essential Avoidance List:
- Never say: "Thank you for your review/feedback"
- Never say: "We appreciate your business"
- Never say: "Your satisfaction is our priority"
- Never use the same opening twice in a row
- Never follow greeting → thanks → detail → invitation structure
- Vary sentence starters (not all "We..." or "Thank you...")
- Don't use corporate speak or marketing jargon
Power Elements (Advanced Customization)
Add these optional elements to make your prompts incredibly specific and powerful.
🏢 1. Business Context
Provide crucial background about your business:
Template:
"Context: We are a [business type] established in [year], located in [area], known for [specialty], serving primarily [customer type] at [price point] pricing."
Example:
"Context: We are a family-owned South Indian restaurant established in 2010, located in Koramangala, known for authentic Chettinad cuisine, serving IT professionals and families at mid-range pricing."
🔍 2. SEO Keywords
Naturally integrate important search terms:
Template:
"When contextually appropriate, naturally mention these terms:
- Primary: [main keyword phrases]
- Location: [area/city + service]
- Services: [specific offerings]
Use keywords only when they fit naturally, never force them."
Example:
"When relevant, naturally mention: 'best salon in Bandra', 'organic hair treatment Mumbai', 'keratin specialist'. Use maximum once per response."
👥 3. Team & Staff References
Personalize with real team members:
Template:
"Team References:
- For [service type] compliments: Mention [Name, Role]
- For service feedback: Reference [Manager name]
- For overall experience: Mention [Owner/Founder name]"
Example:
"For food quality: mention 'Chef Rajesh'
For service: mention 'Priya, our manager'
For ambiance: mention 'our decorator Amit'"
🌐 4. Language & Cultural Adaptation
Handle multilingual responses:
Template:
"Language Rules:
- Primary language: [Default]
- Detect and match reviewer's language
- Add cultural touches: [honorifics/greetings]
- Code-mixing allowed: [Yes/No]"
Example:
"Respond in the same language as review. Add 'ji' after names for respect. Use 'Namaste' for Hindi reviews. Allow natural code-mixing like 'That's absolutely bahut accha!'"
⚖️ 5. Compliance & Legal Safety
Industry-specific requirements:
Template:
"Compliance Rules:
- Never [specific prohibition]
- Always include: [required disclaimers]
- Avoid: [regulated claims]"
Example (Healthcare):
"Never provide medical advice. Always add 'Results vary per individual'. Include 'Consultation recommended' for treatment queries. Avoid guaranteeing outcomes."
Building Your Custom Prompt
Crafting your custom prompt for the best review response isn’t challenging at all. You can either copy the standard prompt and add power elements that most suit your business & needs.
The other approach is to go element by element & make your own response structure.
Pro tip: You can also take the help of tools like ChatGPT to write prompts for your needs.
The Formula:
[CORE INSTRUCTIONS]
+
[TONE & STYLE]
+
[LENGTH CONTROL]
+
[ANTI-PATTERN RULES]
+
[2-4 POWER ELEMENTS]
+
[SIGNATURE FORMAT]
=
Your Perfect Custom Prompt
Testing Your Custom Prompt
Add these optional elements to make your prompts incredibly specific and powerful.
Quality Checklist:
- Does it sound like your business?
- Are keywords naturally integrated?
- Is the signature appropriate?
- Does length match platform needs?
- Are compliance requirements met?
- Would you be happy if this was posted publicly?
Quality Checklist:
Generate sample responses for:
- A 5-star review with no text
- A detailed 4-star review
- A complaint with details
- A review mentioning specific staff
- A review in your regional language
Final Tips:
- Start simple – Begin with standard elements, add power elements gradually
- Test extensively – Generate 10+ responses before going live
- Update regularly – Refresh team names, promotions, seasonal elements
- Monitor performance – Track which responses get best engagement
- Stay authentic – Better to be genuinely simple than artificially complex
Ready to create your custom prompt? Copy a template above, modify it with your details, and test thoroughly before deployment.
Remember: the best prompt is one that sounds like you, not like AI.

