How to Claim Google My Business

Learning how to claim your Google My Business profile is one of the most powerful free marketing moves you can make for your local company. Think of it as your digital storefront on Google Search and Maps - a space you have complete control over. This guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step, covering everything from finding an existing listing to optimizing your new profile for maximum visibility.

Why You Absolutely Need to Claim Your Google Business Profile

In a world of complex marketing strategies, claiming your Google Business Profile (GBP) is straightforward, free, and incredibly effective. If a customer Googles your business name or searches for "pizza near me," the profiles that pop up in the map pack are often the first thing they see. Leaving this profile unclaimed is like leaving the front door to your shop unlocked and letting anyone wander in and rearrange the furniture.

When you have control, you can:

• Control Your Information: Make sure your hours, phone number, address, and website are always accurate. One wrong piece of information can lead to a lost sale and a frustrated potential customer.
• Manage Your Reputation: Respond directly to customer reviews - both positive and negative. Thanking happy customers and addressing concerns from unhappy ones shows you care and builds public trust.
• Share Updates Directly with Customers: Post about special offers, new products, holiday hours, or events directly to your profile. These updates show up directly in search results, giving you a direct line to your audience.
• Get Found in "Near Me" Searches: A complete and active profile is a major ranking factor for local SEO. When people look for services or products in their area, a strong GBP helps your business show up at the top of the list.
• Unlock Valuable Insights: Once verified, you get access to analytics showing you how customers find your profile, what search queries they used, what photos they engage with most, and how many called you directly from the listing.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Find and Claim Your Business Profile

The process is simple, but you have to do it methodically. There's a good chance Google has already created a basic listing for your business based on public data. Your first step is to find it and take ownership.

Step 1: Search for Your Business on Google

Start by heading over to Google Maps (maps.google.com). In the search bar, type your exact business name and city/state and hit enter. For example, "Main Street Coffee in Springfield, MO."

Alternatively, you can just do a regular Google search for your business name.

If a profile for your business appears in the search results or on the map, look it over. Does the address match? Is the name correct? If so, you're ready to start the claim process. If nothing shows up, you can skip to the next section about creating a new profile from scratch.

Step 2: Start the Claim Process

Once you've located your business profile on either Google Search or Maps, look for a link that says “Own this business?” or "Claim this business." You’ll usually find it right inside the business information panel. Click it.

Google will ask you to confirm that you are the rightful owner or authorized manager of this business. The system is designed to prevent just anyone from hijacking a business profile, so the next steps are all about proving you are who you say you are. You'll need to be logged into the Google Account you wish to use to manage the profile.

Step 3: Choose Your Verification Method

Verification is the most important part of the process. This is how Google confirms that you're legitimately associated with the physical business location. Google will offer one or more verification options, which can vary based on your business type and history.

These are the most common methods:

• Postcard by Mail (Most Common): This is the default method for most businesses. Google will mail a physical postcard to your business address with a 5-6 digit verification code on it. It usually arrives within 5-14 business days. This is the gold standard because it proves you have access to the actual physical location.
• Phone Call or Text: Some businesses may be eligible for verification via an automated phone call or text message to the business's registered phone number. This is the fastest method, but it's not available to everyone.
• Email Verification: A less common option, but sometimes Google will allow verification through an email address associated with your business domain (e.g., yourname@yourwebsite.com). A verification code is sent to that email.
• Video Recording: Newer businesses or service-area businesses sometimes have the option to record a short video to verify their business. You might be asked to film your storefront, your workspace, business documents, or branded vehicles to prove legitimacy.
• Live Video Call: Similar to a recording, you may be able to schedule a live video call with a Google representative where you show them proof of your business location and operations.

Select the method that works best for you and follow the on-screen instructions. For the postcard method, double-check that your address is displayed flawlessly before confirming, as any error will prevent it from reaching you.

Step 4: Enter Your Verification Code

If you chose any method other than the postcard, your verification is likely instant. If you're waiting on the snail mail, be patient.

Important: Do not edit your business name, address, or category while you wait for the postcard to arrive, as doing so can delay the process or invalidate your code.

Once the postcard arrives, log back into your Google Business Profile manager at google.com/business, select "Verify location," and enter the code exactly as it appears on the postcard. Once accepted, you'll have full control over your profile!

What If My Business Isn't on Google Yet?

If you searched and couldn't find your business, don't worry. Creating a profile from scratch is just as easy.

1. Navigate to the Google Business Profile manager.
2. Click the "Manage Now" button and log in with your Google account.
3. Enter your official business name.
4. Choose your business category. Start typing what you do (e.g., "lawn care," "bakery," "marketing consultant") and select the most accurate option from the list.
5. Decide if you want a physical location to appear on Maps. This is a yes for stores, restaurants, and offices. If you're a service-area business (like a plumber or delivery service) that doesn't serve customers at your address, you can choose "no" and instead define your service areas.
6. Enter your address and/or service areas.
7. Add your contact phone number and website.
8. Follow the steps to complete and verify your profile using one of the methods mentioned in the previous section. The postcard is most likely going to be the default option for a brand-new profile.

The Real Work Begins: What to Do After You’re Verified

Getting verified is just the starting line. Now it's time to turn your basic listing into a compelling marketing tool that wins you customers. Your goal is to fill out everything.

• Complete Every Section: Go through the tabs on your profile dashboard. Add your services, products, business description, and key attributes (e.g., "woman-owned," "free Wi-Fi," "wheelchair accessible"). The more information you provide, the better Google can match you to relevant customer searches.
• Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos: Profiles with photos get more clicks and location requests. Upload clear, well-lit photos of your storefront, your team at work, your products, and the inside of your location. This helps customers know what to expect.
• Start Getting Reviews: Customer reviews are social proof and a powerful local ranking signal. Encourage happy customers to leave you a review on Google. You can create a direct link from your GBP dashboard to send to them. And remember to respond professionally to every single one!
• Leverage the "Updates" Feature: Think of this as a mini-blog or social media feed. Regularly post about sales, new arrivals, company news, and special events. This shows customers (and Google's algorithm) that you are active and engaged.
• Turn On Messaging: Allow potential customers to message you directly from your profile. It's a low-friction way to answer quick questions and can be the difference between getting a new client or losing one to a competitor.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes things don't go perfectly smoothly. Here are solutions to a couple of common hiccups.

"My verification postcard never arrived."

Postcards can take up to 14 days. If it's been longer than that, log back into your GBP dashboard. You should see a notification or banner allowing you to request a new postcard. First, double-check that your address is 100% correct, then request a new one.

"Someone else has already claimed my business."

This happens, often when a former employee or marketing agency set up the profile and then disappeared. If you try to claim your business and get a notification that it's already owned, you'll see an option to "Request Access." Click it. Fill out the form, and Google will email the current profile owner on your behalf. They'll have 3 days to respond. If they grant access or don't reply, you'll be able to verify your connection and claim the profile yourself.

Final Thoughts

Claiming your Google Business Profile is a foundational task for any company trying to attract local customers. It's your official presence on the world's largest search engine, giving you direct control over your brand's information, reputation, and visibility in local search. Following the steps and taking the time to optimize your profile puts you leagues ahead of competitors who ignore it.

Getting your profile set up right is a huge first step, but keeping customers engaged long-term relies on consistently sharing great content where they're spending their time: on social media. Since GMB Posts are a bit like micro social posts, you're already in that mindset. We built Postbase to make that next step incredibly simple. We focused on making it a clean, reliable, and modern tool for planning and scheduling all your social media content - across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more - so you get hours back to actually run your company.