Direct answer
Yes. Google says the reviewer gets a notification when a verified business replies to their Google review. The reply is also public on the Business Profile, although Google notes that it might not appear immediately. After reading the reply, the reviewer can update their original review.
The notification gives the original reviewer another chance to see how the business handled the feedback. It does not create a private support conversation, guarantee that the reviewer opens the notification, or guarantee that they change the rating. The public reply remains useful because future customers can read it beside the review.
Write the reply for two audiences: the customer who receives the notification and the people comparing the business later. A useful response acknowledges the actual feedback, adds relevant context, and moves private details to a direct channel instead of asking the reviewer to repeat sensitive information publicly.
What to know
The original reviewer is notified
Google explicitly says the reviewer gets a notification after the business posts its reply. Other readers can see the public reply, but the notification belongs to the reviewer who wrote the review.
The reply may take time to appear
Google says owner replies might not show immediately. Avoid posting the same reply repeatedly just because it is not visible the moment you submit it.
The reviewer can update the review
After reading the response, the reviewer can edit the original review. That makes a calm, specific recovery reply more useful than a defensive argument or generic request to call the business.
What should a business put in the reply?
- 1
Acknowledge the feedback
Reference the real issue or positive detail without copying the entire review. A direct opening shows the reply was written for this customer.
- 2
Add one useful next step
Explain what changed, answer a question, or provide a direct private contact when the situation needs account-specific follow-up.
- 3
Protect private information
Do not confirm health, legal, billing, account, or customer-history details in public. The reviewer receiving a notification does not make the response private.
Sources
- Google Business Profile: Manage customer reviews
Google documents profile verification, public business replies, reviewer notifications, review updates, and how a business edits or deletes its reply.
- Google Maps: Add, edit, or delete reviews and ratings
Google documents how reviewers find their past contributions, edit their own review, mark another review helpful, and report policy violations.