How do I ask permission to feature someone's feedback on my website?

Ask directly and warmly, while making the choice genuinely optional. Don’t assume that sharing feedback privately means the person wants it published. State what you’d like to use, where it would appear, and how you’d identify them. Then give them room to say no, suggest changes, or ask questions.

For example, you might write: “Your note about [specific result or experience] meant a lot to me. Would you be comfortable with me sharing the excerpt below on my website? There’s no pressure, and it’s completely fine to decline.”

Show the exact version you’re proposing to publish. That makes the request concrete and lets the person catch wording that feels inaccurate or too personal. If you’ve shortened or lightly edited their original message, say so plainly and invite them to revise the draft. Don’t silently change the meaning or turn a qualified comment into a stronger claim.

A useful layout is:

1. Their proposed words: “[Exact excerpt, or clearly labeled draft edit]”
2. Proposed attribution: “[Name, role, organization, or anonymous]”
3. Location: “[Website page or section]”

If you want to make a substantial edit, ask them to approve that exact wording rather than treating general permission as approval of every version.

Describe the use you’re asking about specifically. For example, say whether it would appear on your website’s [testimonials page], [service page], or another named section. If you may also want to use it in a newsletter, social post, or other material, don’t leave that possibility hidden in a vague phrase like “for marketing.” Ask about those additional uses separately, either now with clear examples or later with a new request.

Here’s a copyable request you can adapt:

“Hi [Name], thank you for sharing this feedback: ‘[original feedback].’ Would you be comfortable with me featuring this excerpt on [specific website page or section]?

Proposed wording: ‘[exact wording to publish]’ Proposed credit: [name and description, or anonymous]

Please feel free to edit the wording or credit, ask a question, or say no. There’s no pressure either way. I’ll wait for your approval before publishing it. Thanks for considering it.”

Treat that as part of the approval process, not an inconvenience. Confirm the requested version back to them so both of you are discussing the same text and attribution. If they request anonymity, use the exact anonymous description they approve—or ask what description they prefer—instead of adding identifying details yourself.

For example: “Thanks. I’ll use ‘[approved wording]’ and credit it as ‘[approved attribution]’ on [page]. Is that the version you’re comfortable with?” Wait for confirmation of the revised version before posting it. Keep your request and their reply together so you can refer to what they approved.

You can explain how someone can contact you to request a change or removal, but don’t use that as a substitute for asking first. Avoid promising an instant or guaranteed removal process if you can’t ensure it. A simple line might be: “If you later want to discuss changing or removing it, contact me at [business contact method].” Use a contact method you actually monitor, and keep the initial request focused on informed, voluntary approval.