If you searched for a Google review widget or Google reviews widget, you want verified customer testimonials visible on your site — not buried on Google Maps. Google does not ship an official embed for that. A third-party Google review embed pulls live ratings and reviews from your Google Business Profile and renders them in a layout you control.
What is a Google review widget?
A Google review widget (sometimes called a Google widget for website pages) is a block of HTML and JavaScript that shows your Google star rating, review count, and selected customer quotes on pages you choose. Unlike a static screenshot, a proper widget syncs from Google so new reviews appear automatically after you approve them on your Business Profile.
Typical placements include:
- Homepage hero or header — a compact badge next to your logo or primary call-to-action
- Service and landing pages — a carousel or review feed near pricing or contact forms
- Footer or sticky corner — persistent social proof on every page without dominating the layout
Why embed Google reviews on your website?
Visitors trust peer recommendations more than branded copy. Displaying Google Reviews on your website closes the gap between discovery (search, ads, referrals) and conversion (calls, bookings, purchases). Benefits include:
- Higher conversion rates — star ratings near CTAs reduce hesitation on high-intent pages
- Stronger local SEO signals — review schema and consistent NAP data reinforce your Business Profile
- Fresh social proof — automatic sync means your site reflects recent customer feedback
- Brand control — filter by minimum stars, limit review count, and match colours to your design system
Need help connecting the right listing first? Read our guide on how to set your Google location for reviews.
Google review widget types and layouts
Not every page needs the same format. GR Widget includes 13 layouts across four families — all drawing from the same synced review pool:
Badge widgets
Compact star rating plus review count. Ideal for headers, footers, and sidebars where space is limited. A badge answers “Are you reputable?” in under two seconds.
Review feeds and grids
List, grid, or masonry layouts that show full review text. Best for dedicated testimonial sections where visitors read before contacting you.
Carousels and sliders
Rotate through multiple reviews in a horizontal strip. Works well above the fold when you want motion without a wall of text.
Floating stickers and flyouts
Corner badges that expand into a review panel on tap. Useful on mobile-heavy sites where a full feed would push primary content down.
Browse live demos of every layout on our Google reviews widget examples page, or compare capabilities on features.
How to embed Google reviews on any website
The process is the same whether you run a custom HTML site, Webflow, Laravel, or a CMS with an HTML block. You do not need developer access beyond the ability to paste embed code.
- Create a free GR Widget account — sign up with no credit card
- Connect your Google Business Profile — search by business name and address
- Customise your widget — choose layout, colours, filters, and review count
- Copy the embed snippet — one async script tag plus a placeholder
<div> - Paste into your site — header, page body, or site-wide footer template
<script src="https://grwidget.com/v1/grwidget.js" async defer></script> <div class="grwidget-embed" data-grwidget-key="YOUR_WIDGET_KEY"></div>
For a full walkthrough with platform tips, see our dedicated guide: how to embed Google reviews on your website.
Platform options: WordPress and beyond
This guide targets any website — the universal embed works everywhere. If you use a specific CMS, we also publish focused install guides:
- Embed Google reviews in WordPress — official plugin, Gutenberg block, and shortcode
- Embed Google reviews on Wix — HTML embed in the editor
- Embed Google reviews on Shopify — theme liquid or custom HTML section
WordPress users get a native plugin, but the underlying widget is identical — same sync, same layouts, same dashboard. Pick whichever install path matches your stack.
Choosing the right Google reviews widget
Before you embed, match the widget to page intent:
- High-traffic homepage — badge or compact carousel near the primary CTA
- Service detail pages — feed or grid with 4–6 recent reviews
- E-commerce checkout — small badge only; avoid distracting from payment
- Agency client sites — multiple widgets per domain on Business and Agency plans
Compare pricing plans — the free tier includes 6 layouts; paid plans unlock all 13, deeper review sync, and Review structured data (JSON-LD). Evaluating alternatives? Read our Elfsight alternative comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Google review widget?
A Google review widget is a small embed you add to your website that pulls live star ratings and customer reviews from your Google Business Profile. Visitors see real Google Reviews without leaving your site — building trust on homepages, landing pages, and checkout flows.
Does Google provide an official review widget for websites?
No. Google offers review links and Maps embeds, but not a customisable reviews widget for arbitrary website pages. Third-party tools like GR Widget fill that gap with layouts, filters, automatic sync, and a simple embed code that works on any CMS or hand-coded site.
How do I embed Google reviews on my website?
Create a widget in GR Widget, connect your Google Business Profile, customise the layout, then paste a two-line embed snippet — one async script tag and a placeholder div — wherever you want reviews to appear. See our step-by-step embed guide for HTML, WordPress, Wix, and Shopify instructions.
What is the difference between a Google review embed and a Google review widget?
The terms are often used interchangeably. A Google review embed is the code snippet you paste into your site; the widget is the visible component visitors interact with — badges, carousels, review feeds, or corner stickers showing your synced Google Reviews.
Do I need a Google API key to add a Google reviews widget?
Not with GR Widget. Search for your business by name in the dashboard — we resolve your Google Place ID and sync reviews on our servers. You never paste a Google API key into your website.
Which Google review widget layout should I use?
Use a compact badge in headers and footers for quick social proof. Carousels and review feeds work well on homepages and service pages where visitors read testimonials. Floating stickers suit mobile-heavy sites that need proof without pushing primary calls-to-action down the page.
Can I use a Google widget for website pages built with WordPress?
Yes. Paste the universal embed code into any page, or install the official GR Widget WordPress plugin for Gutenberg blocks and shortcodes. WordPress is one platform option — the same widget also works on Wix, Shopify, Webflow, and plain HTML sites.
Is there a free Google review widget plan?
Yes. GR Widget includes a free plan with 6 core layouts and no credit card required. Paid plans unlock all 13 layouts, deeper review sync beyond Google's five-review API cap, and Review structured data (JSON-LD) on Site plan and above.
Ready to add a Google review widget to your website?
Create your free widgetNo credit card · 6 free layouts · Works on any website