How to Get Verified on Google My Business

Getting that verified checkmark next to your Google Business Profile is a huge step in making your business look legitimate to local customers. It’s what separates a real, active business from just another name on the map. This guide will walk you through every option and step of the Google Business Profile verification process, from the classic postcard to video calls, so you can get it done right the first time.

Why Getting Verified on Google is a Non-Negotiable

Verifying your business with Google isn’t just about getting a cool badge on your profile. It's a fundamental part of building an online presence that actually brings in customers. When you verify your business, you're telling Google - and your potential customers - that you are who you say you are, where you say you are.

Here’s what that little checkmark really does for you:

• Builds Trust and Credibility: A verified profile immediately signals legitimacy. Customers are far more likely to visit a location, make a call, or click on a website if they see that the business has been authenticated by Google. It removes the guesswork and hesitation for them.
• Improves Your Visibility: Google’s algorithm tends to favor verified businesses in local search results and on Google Maps. Verification is a strong signal that you’re an active and authentic business, which helps you rank higher when someone searches for "restaurants near me" or "plumber in [your city]".
• Unlocks Powerful Features: You can't access some of the best parts of your Google Business Profile until you're verified. This includes things like responding to customer reviews, using Google Posts to share updates and offers, activating messaging, and accessing detailed performance insights. Without verification, you're pretty much locked out of managing your online reputation on the world's biggest search engine.

In short, verification is the key that unlocks your ability to control your business's narrative on Google. Without it, you’re just a listing, with it, you're a functioning part of the local online ecosystem.

First, Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile

You can't verify a profile that doesn't exist, so your first step is to either create a new one or claim an existing one that Google may have auto-generated for your business.

Step 1: Head to the Google Business Profile Manager

Start by going to google.com/business and sign in with the Google account you want to manage your business with. It’s best to use a professional email address associated with your business rather than a personal Gmail account.

Step 2: Find Your Business Name

Type your exact business name into the search bar. As you type, Google will show you potential matches.

• If your business appears in the dropdown list with an address, select it. This means a profile already exists, and you'll just need to claim it.
• If nothing shows up, click "Add your business to Google" and get ready to create a brand new profile.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Business Information

Whether you're creating or claiming a profile, you'll need to go through a setup process. Be as accurate and detailed as possible. You'll enter key information like:

• Business Category: Choose the primary category that best describes what you do (e.g., "Italian Restaurant," "HVAC Contractor," "Marketing Agency").
• Business Location: Do you have a physical location customers can visit (like a shop or office), or are you a service-area business that travels to your customers (like a plumber or landscaper)?
  • For storefronts, you'll enter your full street address.
  • For service-area businesses, you'll define the specific towns, cities, or zip codes you serve instead of showing a physical address.
• Contact Information: Add your business phone number and website.

Once you’ve filled everything out, Google will prompt you to begin the verification process. This is where you prove you’re the legitimate owner.

Choose Your Verification Method: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Google offers several ways to verify your business, and the options available to you will depend on your business type, location, and account history. You don't necessarily get to pick your favorite, Google will present you with the methods it deems appropriate for your profile.

1. Snail Mail Postcard (The Most Common Method)

This is the default verification method for most new businesses, especially those with a physical storefront.

How it Works:

1. When prompted, confirm that your business address is correct. This is very important because this is exactly where the postcard will be sent.
2. Google will mail a physical postcard to your business address. It typically arrives within 5-14 business days. It looks like personal mail, so be sure you or your staff don't accidentally toss it as junk mail.
3. Once the postcard arrives, it will contain a 5-digit verification code.
4. Log back into your Google Business Profile dashboard, navigate to the "Pending verification" section, and enter the code exactly as it appears on the postcard.

Pro Tip: Do not change your business name, address, or category while you are waiting for the postcard to arrive. Doing so can mess up the process and may require you to start over.

2. Phone Call or Text Message (The Fast Option)

Some businesses - often ones that have been around for a while - will be given the option to verify by phone.

How it Works:

1. If this option is available, select either verification by an automated phone call or a text message.
2. Google will immediately call or text your official business phone number.
3. The call or text will provide a 5-digit verification code.
4. Enter the code into your Google Business Profile dashboard to complete the verification instantly.

3. Email Verification (The Easiest, if Offered)

Similar to the phone option, email verification is instant but not available to everyone. It usually works for businesses that also have a Google Search Console account verified for their business domain.

How it Works:

1. If this option appears, select "Email."
2. Google will send a verification code to a business email address associated with your website domain (e.g., yourname@yourcompany.com). A generic @gmail.com or @yahoo.com won't work.
3. Open the email, copy the code, and enter it into your dashboard. That's it!

4. Video Verification (The New Standard)

This method is becoming much more common, especially for service-area businesses or if Google needs extra confirmation.

How it Works:

This method requires you to show proof of your business through either a live video call with a Google representative or by recording a video on your phone and uploading it.

You'll need to show three main things:

1. Your Location and Signage: Show your storefront from the outside, including any street signs and your permanent business sign. If you don't have a storefront, you’ll show your service vehicle with its branding or an official home office setup.
2. Your Business &, Equipment: Take the camera inside to show your place of work. This could be your retail space, your office, or industry-specific tools (e.g., kitchen appliances for a caterer, salon chairs for a hairdresser).
3. Proof of Management: Show that you have access to the business location and its operations. This means showing you can unlock the door with a key or providing official business documentation like a business license, utility bill, or invoice that clearly shows your business name and address.

This option feels more intensive, but it’s often the fastest way to get verified if you have everything in order.

5. Bulk Verification (For Chains and Franchises)

If you're managing 10 or more locations of the same business, you can apply for bulk verification instead of verifying each location individually. This is a separate, more involved process that requires you to submit a spreadsheet with all your locations' information. It’s a huge time-saver for large brands.

Acing Your Video Verification: Your Prep Checklist

Because video verification is becoming so frequent, it's smart to be ready. Having these items on hand will make the process smooth and successful.

• ✅ Permanent Signage: Can you clearly show a sign with your business name on the exterior of your building or on your work vehicle? Painted-on signs and branded decals work well. Paper signs taped to a window will likely be rejected.
• ✅ Your Business Location: You must be physically at the address listed on your profile. Start your video outside, capturing the street name and building number if you can.
• ✅ Tools of the Trade: Show what you use to run your business. For a digital agency, this might be your office with computers, for a contractor, it’s your equipment or materials in a workshop or truck.
• ✅ Proof of Business Registration: Have your business license or registration documents handy. Make sure the name and address match your Google Business Profile exactly.
• ✅ Proof You Can Access the Property: Be ready to show a unique key that unlocks your business or office door to prove you have legitimate access.

"Help! My Verification Isn't Working!" - Common Issues &, Fixes

Sometimes, the process hits a snag. Here’s what to do when things go wrong.

"My postcard never arrived!"

This is the most common frustration. First, wait a full 14 business days. Holidays and mail delays can slow things down. If it still hasn't shown up after that, you can log back into your dashboard and request a new postcard. Double-check your address is 100% correct before requesting a new one.

"My verification failed."

If your video or other verification method fails, Google will usually tell you why. The number one reason for failure is inconsistency. Does your business document show a slightly different name or address than your profile? Fix any and all discrepancies, and then try the process again.

"None of these options are working for me."

If you've tried the available methods and are stuck in a loop, your last resort is to contact Google Business Profile support. You can do this through your dashboard by finding the "Help" section. Be prepared to provide documentation and a clear explanation of what you've already tried. It can be a slow process, but an agent can often manually troubleshoot the issue.

You're Verified! Now, Let the Real Work Begin

Congratulations, the hard part is over! But verification isn't the finish line - it's the starting line. Now you can use your profile to its fullest potential to attract local customers.

Here are the first things you should do:

• Complete Your Profile 100%: Fill out every single section. Add your hours, services, attributes (like "woman-owned" or "wheelchair accessible"), and a detailed business description.
• Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos: Show off your space, your team, and your products. Aim for at least 10 high-quality images to start.
• Use Google Posts Weekly: Share updates, promotions, new products, or blog articles with Google Posts. This keeps your profile active and fresh.
• Get and Respond to Reviews: Actively ask satisfied customers to leave a review, and make sure to reply to every single one - both positive and negative.
• Turn On Messaging: Let customers message you directly from your profile for quick questions and quotes.

Getting verified on Google Business Profile is an essential first step for any business that wants to be found by local customers. While the process can sometimes feel a bit tedious, it's a straightforward pathway to building trust, improving your search ranking, and taking full control of your online presence.

Once you’re verified, the real fun begins: engaging your local audience with updates and responding to their inquiries. Managing this consistently across Google and all your other social platforms is a different challenge. That’s why we created Postbase - to give business owners a single, peaceful place to plan, schedule, and publish content to their Google Business Profile, Instagram, TikTok, and more, all from one clean calendar. We made it to solve our own headaches of constantly jumping between a dozen different apps just to stay active online.