To verify your Google Business Profile, sign in to your Google Business Profile Manager, search for your business, and select Get verified. Google determines the methods available for your profile using factors such as business type, public information, region and business hours. Follow an option shown in your account; some businesses must complete more than one method.
Preparing first can save a second attempt. This guide explains what to gather, how to plan a verification video, how long review can take, and which next step fits the status you see. The instructions were checked against Google’s linked guidance on 27 October 2026.
What is Google Business Profile verification?
Google Business Profile verification checks that a business is real and that you are authorized to manage its information. It enables eligible owners and representatives to manage important profile details and customer interactions. Verification is separate from eligibility, paid advertising and local rankings; completing it does not guarantee first place on Google Maps.
For example, creating a profile for a repair shop is different from proving that you can manage that shop’s information. Google may ask for a code or evidence connecting you to the business and its location.
Google Business Profile was previously called Google My Business, or GMB. If you are unfamiliar with the tool, read our beginner’s guide to Google Business Profile.
You can add or claim an eligible business directly through Google without paying a verification fee. A provider’s charge pays for its agreed work. See Google’s add-or-claim instructions.
How do you start the verification process?
Start by signing in to the Google Account associated with the business and finding the correct profile. Check for an existing listing before creating anything new. Add or claim the business as appropriate, select Get verified, and follow an available method. Then wait for Google’s review or complete any further action it requests.
Work through these steps:
- Search Google Search or Maps for your business name and city.
- Open the correct existing profile, or add the business if no listing exists.
- Check the name, category, operating details and location settings.
- Select Get verified and read the options shown.
- Complete the required steps and check for Google’s confirmation.
If another person has already verified the profile, follow Google’s ownership-request process. Creating a second listing is not the appropriate way to solve an access problem.
The account matters. A missing management screen can mean you are signed in to a different account. Google’s verification instructions explain how to find your associated profile.
Which verification methods can Google offer?
Google may offer video recording, phone or text, email, a live video call, or mail verification. The available options vary between profiles, and you cannot freely add another method because you prefer it. Some profiles verify instantly or qualify for bulk verification, but these are conditional situations rather than options available to every business.
| Method | What you do | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Video recording | Record and submit a continuous video through the profile on a mobile device. | Evidence of location, business operations and management authority. |
| Phone or text | Receive a code and enter it in your profile. | Access to the business number that can receive the call or text. |
| Follow the instructions sent to the address shown on the verification screen. | Access to that inbox. | |
| Live video call | Show your business to a Google representative in real time. | A suitable device and someone authorized at the location. |
| Mail or postcard | Request a mailed code and enter it when it arrives. | An accurate address and access to incoming business mail. |
Phone, email and live-call details
For phone verification, make sure the call or text can reach you. Google’s instructions say automated phone menus, also called IVR systems, cannot receive the code.
For email verification, check the address displayed on the screen. Google’s current instructions do not say every applicant must have a domain-based email address. Having one does not guarantee this option will appear.
Live video calls are not offered to every business and are available within the business hours of the location. Follow the joining instructions provided by the representative. You will need to show the location, business assets and evidence of management.
Instant and bulk verification
Google says instant verification can happen in some circumstances, including when a website is verified through Google Search Console. Treat it as a possible outcome, not a guaranteed shortcut.
Bulk verification is intended for qualifying businesses with at least ten locations of the same business. Agencies cannot combine unrelated client businesses to meet the minimum, and service-area businesses are not eligible for this process. Additional checks can still apply. See Google’s bulk-verification guidance.
What should you prepare before verification?
Prepare accurate business details, access to the correct account, and evidence showing where the business operates and why you can represent it. Check your business model and any existing listing first. The required proof depends on the method Google offers; there is no single document pack that guarantees approval for every business.
Use this preparation worksheet before selecting a method:
| Check | Write down or confirm |
|---|---|
| Existing profile | Does a listing already represent this business or location? |
| Account and authority | Which Google Account should manage it, and who has permission to help? |
| Business name | Does it reflect the name customers recognize from the real business? |
| Business model | Do customers visit you, do you travel to them, or do both happen? |
| Location | Is this the genuine operating location, with accurate address information? |
| Public address | Should customers be directed there, or should the address be hidden? |
| Contact details | Can you access the number or email shown for verification? |
| Evidence | Which location, operational and management proof can you show? |
A business serving customers entirely online is generally ineligible. Hiding an address or selecting a service area does not create in-person operations. Read who is eligible for a Google Business Profile if your business model is unclear.
For a customer-facing location, check the actual signage and operating arrangements before recording. A mailing address alone does not establish that customers can receive services there. Google requires businesses to represent their operations accurately.
How do you prepare a video verification recording?
Plan a continuous recording that connects your location, real business activity and management authority. Google requires you to record live through your Business Profile on a mobile device, with no edits or breaks, for at least 30 seconds. Choose evidence appropriate to a storefront, hybrid or service-area business before you start filming.
Google’s video verification instructions distinguish these business types. A shop receiving customers needs different evidence from a plumber visiting customers’ homes.
Evidence to show for your business type
| What Google needs to establish | Storefront or hybrid example | Service-area example |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Street sign, building number or recognizable neighboring businesses. | Street signs or landmarks near the genuine operating base. |
| Business existence | Storefront, showroom or permanent signage matching the profile name. | Trade tools, equipment, workspace, products or relevant business materials. |
| Management authority | Access to a staff-only room, register, kitchen or point-of-sale system. | Access to business-only assets, performing a service, or suitable non-sensitive business documents. |
A storefront’s business name should be clearly shown on a permanent fixture, such as its signboard, wall or window. A temporary printed sheet is not a substitute for the required permanent signage.
For a service-area business, a branded vehicle can help if you have one. It is an example of evidence, not a universal requirement. Show genuine assets and operations relevant to your work. You may also show an appropriate permit, invoice or utility bill matching the profile name, without exposing sensitive information.
If customers do not receive services at your operating address, keep that address out of public display. You may still need to demonstrate where the business operates during verification.
Illustrative filming plans
These are planning examples, not recordings tested for approval or a required sequence.
Customer-facing repair shop: Start with the street and building number. Move toward the permanent business sign and entrance. Show the repair counter or relevant equipment, then demonstrate access to the staff-only work area.
Mobile plumber based at home: Show a nearby street sign or recognizable location marker. Continue to the genuine equipment-storage area. Show plumbing tools and relevant business materials, then demonstrate control of business assets or show suitable non-sensitive documents.
Keep enough context for the evidence to make sense. A close-up of a business card by itself does not show where the business operates or demonstrate control of its assets.
Privacy and recording checklist
- Charge your phone and check that the camera works.
- Read the current requirements in your profile.
- Prepare the route and items before recording.
- Follow requested camera, microphone and location permissions.
- Exclude other people’s faces and private information.
- Keep bank account, tax and ID numbers out of view.
- Record one complete, unedited take through the profile.
- Review it before uploading.
If using a document, keep sensitive fields out of the frame or cover them before recording. Do not edit the completed video to remove information; the submission must remain continuous and unedited.
Recording and submission
On your mobile device, open the profile, select Get verified, and follow the Business video instructions if that option appears. Start the recording, capture the required evidence, review it, then upload through the verification flow.
Do not record an ordinary video offline and expect to upload it later as verification evidence. If Google rejects the recording, read Review issues and capture a new video containing the previous required evidence plus whatever was missing.
How long does Google Business Profile verification take?
Google says verification review can take up to five business days after you complete the required steps, although rare cases take longer. Mail adds delivery time before you can enter the code. Receiving a phone message or email quickly does not guarantee that every profile will finish all required checks immediately.
| Stage or method | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | Complete the code or email instructions when received; check for any further verification requirement. |
| Video recording | Allow up to five business days for review after submission. |
| Live call | Availability depends on the offered process and the location’s business hours. |
| Most mailed codes arrive within 14 days; delivery is separate from subsequent checks. | |
| Instant verification | Possible for some profiles, with no universal entitlement. |
Where mail is offered, the code expires after 30 days. Avoid changing the business name, address or category while waiting. Requesting another code invalidates the one already in the mail and can extend the process.
Enter the mailed five-digit code in the profile yourself. Google says not to share verification codes, including with people who manage the profile. See the mail and review instructions.
Approval and ranking are separate. A completed verification does not mean your business will immediately appear for every service search.
How do you check status and fix verification problems?
Check the Business Profile management view and the email associated with your account for confirmation, pending review or a requested action. Read the actual notice before trying again. A rejected recording, an ownership conflict and a suspension require different responses; repeated verification attempts or another listing will not resolve every type of problem.
| What you see | What it means or what to check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Review is pending | Google has not confirmed completion. | Note the submission date and check for any additional request. |
| Review issues after a video | The recording did not meet the requirements. | Read the missing-evidence explanation and record a complete replacement video. |
| Get verified appears again | Google could not fully verify the business or needs another check. | Follow the current instructions and any other options shown. |
| Code missing or not working | Delivery, expiry or an invalidated earlier code may be involved. | Check the current screen, entered details and relevant time window. |
| No usable verification option | The available self-service process has not resolved the issue. | Use official support after attempting the methods provided. |
| Another person manages the listing | Access ownership is the issue. | Follow Google’s ownership-request guidance. |
| Suspended or disabled | A restriction needs resolution. | Follow Google’s applicable policy and appeal process. |
| Verified but absent for a service search | This may concern visibility or ranking. | Check public access, relevant notices and the search context. |
If a video will not upload, Google’s FAQ advises trying the upload again. Treat an upload failure separately from a review rejection; the latter requires addressing the identified evidence problem.
If the review window has passed, first check that every requested step was completed. For unresolved issues, use Google Business Profile support. There is no guaranteed manual approval or alternative method simply because you contact support.
Have your profile URL, displayed status, submission date and relevant screenshots ready. Explain what you tried and what happened. Send additional documents only through the official process when requested; keep private information out of public community posts.
For a listing that is verified but difficult to find, read why your business is not showing on Google Maps. Do not assume another verification attempt is the answer to weak rankings.
Why might Google ask you to verify again?
Google may request re-verification when business information changes or when it needs additional evidence to confirm accuracy. A previously verified profile is not permanently exempt from checks. Review the current request, confirm that the profile reflects the real business, and follow the verification method offered for the updated information.
For example, an address change may require evidence of the new operating location. A recording of the previous premises would not establish the updated facts.
Avoid repeatedly changing accurate details to try to obtain a different method. Google’s re-verification instructions explain the Get verified and Review issues prompts.
What should you do after verification?
After verification, confirm that your business has appropriate owner access and review the information customers can see. Correct remaining errors, test contact links and maintain accurate hours, services and photos. Verification establishes management authority; ongoing optimization helps the profile represent your business clearly and gives customers useful reasons to contact you.
Start with these checks:
- Confirm the business controls its owner account.
- Add authorized helpers through account invitations.
- Review address visibility, hours and contact details.
- Test the website and supported booking links.
- Add useful, authentic images and accurate service information.
- Record available performance information for future comparison.
Use our Google Business Profile optimization checklist for the detailed next steps. An active profile you control may also suit our Google Business Profile optimization service.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Google does not charge an eligible business to add or claim its profile. Professional assistance is optional and pays for agreed work. It does not purchase Google’s approval or a better organic ranking.
Only if Google offers email for your profile. You cannot freely replace a required video with a preferred method. If the available process fails, follow Google’s instructions and contact official support when needed.
An eligible service-area business can keep its operating address hidden when customers are not served there. It must still provide suitable verification evidence. Working from home does not make a business eligible when all services are delivered online.
There is no universal requirement to show both. Relevant documents or a branded vehicle are possible evidence for appropriate business types. Follow the actual requirements for your profile and show genuine operations and management authority.
An authorized representative can assist, but Google’s ownership rules require it to work directly with the business owner. Some checks need an authorized person at the location. Agree on responsibilities and access before hiring; read our guide to choosing a Google Business Profile service provider.
No. Verification and local ranking are different. A verified profile may still face stronger nearby competition or need more accurate information. Investigate the actual visibility problem rather than treating verification as a ranking guarantee.
Get help setting up a new Google Business Profile
Need a new listing for an eligible business? Our new Google Business Profile setup service starts with an assessment before payment. We review your business, explain the agreed setup work and manage the available verification workflow. Google determines the checks required for each profile.
Already control an active profile? Compare setup vs optimization or explore our Google Business Profile services. Existing-profile ownership recovery and suspended-profile recovery are outside our standard service scope. Choose assistance that matches the problem you actually need to solve.
