An NFC plate for Google reviews allows a customer to open a business's profile by tapping their phone. The gesture is simple, but several elements work together: an NFC chip, a Google review link, and a compatible smartphone.
Here's how it works completely, for both the merchant and the customer, along with the limitations to be aware of before installation.
What is NFC?
NFC, or Near Field Communication, is a very short-range communication technology. It allows a phone to read a small amount of information stored in a chip placed a few centimeters away.
In a Google review plate, this information is a web address. The chip is passive: it does not need a battery or electrical connection. The phone provides the necessary power at the time of reading.
How is the plate prepared for the merchant?
Each establishment has a link that leads to its Google review form. This link is saved in the chip before the plate is shipped.
Specifically, two pieces of information are sufficient for ordering: the exact name of your establishment and, if you already have it, the direct review link of your profile. If you can't find this link, the name and address allow us to identify the correct profile before programming — a useful precaution when several establishments have similar names in the same city. If you still need to retrieve your link, please see our tutorial on how to get your Google review link.
Once programmed, the plate arrives ready to be tested and then installed. No DPA TAP account or subscription is necessary to keep the link in the chip.
What happens on the customer's side?
- The customer taps the NFC area of their phone to the plate.
- The phone detects the link and displays a notification.
- The customer touches the notification.
- The Google profile or review form opens.
- The customer freely decides to post a rating and a comment.
The plate never automatically posts a review. It only shortens the path between the merchant's request and the page where the customer can express themselves.
Which smartphones are compatible?
Most recent iPhones and Android phones can read an NFC chip. However, the exact experience varies by model.
On iPhone
On a compatible iPhone, reading is generally done by tapping the top part of the phone. A notification appears when the link is detected.
On Android
On Android, the antenna can be in the center or at the top of the phone's back. NFC may sometimes need to be activated in quick settings or connection settings.
An older phone, deactivated NFC, a very thick case, or too distant positioning can prevent immediate detection. Often, simply moving the phone slowly over the plate is enough.
How is the Google link programmed?
The chip contains a web address in NFC format. During preparation, DPA TAP records the direct link provided for the establishment, then verifies that it can be read.
If the Google profile changes, the chip can be reprogrammed with a phone and a compatible app. It is best to test the new link in a private browser before replacing the old one.
Why no subscription is needed
This is a direct consequence of how the chip works. The address is written into the chip, and the customer's phone reads it and then opens it. No DPA TAP server intervenes at the time of the gesture: there is therefore no service to maintain, nor account to keep active.
This is what distinguishes the purchase of a physical medium from subscribing to a monthly service. By purchasing the plate, you acquire an object whose chip contains your link. A subscription service, on the other hand, charges for access to additional features — reading statistics, remotely modifiable redirection, automated reminders — and generally routes the customer through an intermediary address.
This nuance has a practical consequence: when the chip points directly to your Google link, nothing can be deactivated remotely. In return, you do not have reading statistics and a change of link requires physical reprogramming of the chip. To compare the two models over time, see our guide on the price of an NFC plate for Google reviews.
What happens after your order
- You provide the name of your establishment and, if possible, your Google review link.
- The correct profile is identified, then the link is written into the chip.
- The reading is verified before shipping.
- You receive the plate already programmed, with no configuration step required.
- You test the reading with a compatible phone, then choose the final location before removing the adhesive protector.
No software installation is required at any of these stages, neither for you nor for your customers.
Where and how to install the plate?
Choose a visible location where the customer experience ends: near the checkout, on the reception counter, or at the exit. The DPA TAP plate measures 10 × 10 cm and has 3M adhesive on the back.
- Choose a flat, clean, and dry surface.
- Test reading with several phones before sticking.
- Clean the surface and let it dry.
- Remove the adhesive protector.
- Position the plate once and press evenly.
Avoid sticking it before you have tested the link and validated the location: an adhesive designed for long-term hold is not intended for repeated repositioning.
What are the concrete advantages?
- The customer does not have to enter an address.
- No dedicated application is necessary.
- The plate requires neither battery nor power.
- The link is prepared before shipping.
- There is no subscription linked to the number of readings.
NFC is particularly suitable when the merchant can show the plate and guide the gesture with a few words.
What are the limitations to be aware of?
An NFC plate does not create a review in place of the customer and does not guarantee a specific increase in the number of reviews. The customer must have a compatible phone, an internet connection, and, depending on the Google journey displayed, a Google account.
Detection may also require a second attempt if the phone's antenna is poorly positioned. Finally, the result depends on the quality of the chosen moment: asking for a review after a real and satisfactory experience remains more natural than soliciting every person without context. We detail these conditions in our guide does a Google review plate really work?
Examples of use
In a restaurant or café
The plate can be placed near the payment terminal. The team presents it at the time of payment, after ensuring that the customer has finished their experience. We detail the locations and the right time in our guide for restaurants.
In a hair salon
The customer can tap their phone during checkout, when the result of the service is still visible. See our specific advice for hair salons.
In a shop or hotel
A location at the reception or exit allows for proposing the gesture without interrupting the purchase, stay, or service.
Are you hesitating between several media? Consult the comparison NFC or QR code for Google reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Does the plate work without internet?
Reading the chip does not require internet, but the phone must be connected to load the Google profile and publish a review.
Does the customer need to press their phone against the plate?
No. A very short distance is sufficient. It is better to slowly bring the phone's NFC area close without hitting it against the plate.
Can two establishments be programmed on one plate?
One plate opens one link at a time. For two distinct establishments or links, use two plates and program each separately.
Can the link expire?
The chip retains the recorded address. However, if the Google profile or its link changes, the plate will need to be checked and reprogrammed.
To equip your establishment, you can discover the NFC plate for Google reviews, available in black, blue, and in a pack of two.