Google review NFC plate: what it is, how it works and how much it costs

NFC review plates have become a common sight in bars, hair salons and clinics. Here we explain what they are, how they work and what to look for before buying one.

What is an NFC review plate?

It's a plate (made of acrylic or PVC, or shaped like a card or sticker) with a small NFC chip inside. The chip stores a link. When the customer holds their phone close, the phone reads the link and opens the window to leave a review on your Google profile directly. It needs no battery or connection: the chip is powered by the phone itself.

Which phones does it work with?

With any iPhone from the 7 onwards (hold the top of the phone close) and with most Android phones, which have NFC turned on by default (hold the middle of the back close). For the few phones without NFC, it's normal to also have a QR code with the same link.

What makes it truly useful?

• The link should be changeable. If the chip points directly to Google and one day you change profile or want it to open your Instagram, you'd have to reprogram it. If it points to an intermediate link you control from a dashboard, you change the destination without touching the plate.
• Counting taps. Knowing how many times it's used and when helps you decide where to put it.
• A rewritable, unlocked chip. Some cheap plates come locked or with another company's link.

Where should it go?

Wherever the customer already has their phone in hand: next to the card terminal, on the bar, at reception, on a hair salon mirror or on each table. What works best in a small shop is one at the door, another at the till and a card for each person who serves customers.

How much does it cost?

On the market there are plates from about 10 to more than 30 euros. Some brands also charge a monthly fee for the dashboard. At Tocky, an NFC card costs €8.90 and an adhesive plate or a standing acrylic plate €14.90, with dashboard, tap counter and new-review alerts at no monthly fee, and free shipping from €29. If you need several, there's an automatic discount: 10% from 3 units, 20% from 5 and 25% from 20.

Is it legal? Does Google allow it?

Yes. The plate simply shortens the path to your profile. What Google prohibits is paying or giving something in exchange for reviews, and asking only happy customers for reviews. With a plate visible to everyone, each customer decides whether to leave a review and what rating to give.

How is it set up?

Tocky plates arrive blank. In your dashboard you choose what each one opens and, when it arrives, you program it by holding it to your phone in about 30 seconds. Here's the step-by-step guide.