How to Verify Google My Business Without a Postcard

Waiting for a postcard to verify your business on Google can feel like your growth is trapped in a snail-mail time warp. You know how important that Verified badge is, but the traditional method can be slow, unreliable, and just plain frustrating. This guide walks you through every available modern method to verify your Google Business Profile without waiting for a postcard, getting you listed and attracting customers much faster.

Why Does Google Send Postcards in the First Place?

Before we look at the alternatives, it helps to understand why the postcard is Google’s default verification method. It all comes down to one thing: location. Google's main goal with Business Profiles is to connect searchers with legitimate local businesses at real-world addresses. A postcard sent by mail is the simplest, most universal way for them to confirm that a business physically exists where it claims to.

Because of this, you don't actually get to choose your verification method. Google’s system decides what options to offer you based on a variety of trust signals. These include:

• Your business category (e.g., service-area businesses sometimes have different options than storefronts).
• Your business's online history and consistency.
• Whether you manage other verified profiles.

If you only see the postcard option, it just means Google needs more evidence that your business is legitimate and at the address you provided. But if you're eligible for other methods, they are significantly faster and easier.

Verification Without Mail: Your Non-Postcard Options

If Google’s algorithm trusts your business enough, you might see one of the several instant or near-instant verification options. Here’s a breakdown of each one, how it works, and who is most likely to be offered it.

1. Phone Verification

This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get verified if it’s offered to you. Google uses this method when it has high confidence that the phone number you’ve provided belongs to your business. It often works for businesses that have been around for a while and have their phone number listed consistently across other online directories.

How a Phone Call or Text Verification Works:

• During the setup process, if you see an option that says "Verify by phone," select it.
• You'll be asked to confirm the phone number. You can choose to receive an automated phone call or a text message (SMS).
• A 6-digit verification code will be sent to that number almost immediately.
• Enter the code into your Google Business Profile dashboard, and you’re instantly verified. Done.

Who gets it? Businesses with an established and consistent online presence, where the phone number is clearly tied to the business name and address across multiple platforms (your website, Yelp, industry directories, etc.).

2. Email Verification

Similar to phone verification, the email option appears when Google can confidently connect your email address to your business. This is common for businesses that have their profile linked to a professional website.

How Email Verification Works:

• Look for the "Verify by email" option in the verification workflow.
• Google will display a sanitized version of an email address it recognizes as being associated with your business (e.g., mail@***yourdomain.com***).
• If you have access to that address, select this option.
• An email from Google containing a verification code will be sent to that inbox.
• Navigate back to your Business Profile and enter the code to finish the process.

Important note: The email must be on your business domain. A generic Gmail or Yahoo address will almost never be an option for this verification method.

Who gets it? Businesses whose website URL is listed in their profile, especially if the domain in the email address (like info@yourbrand.com) matches the business website (yourbrand.com).

3. Live Video Call Verification

This method has become much more common recently and offers a fantastic way to prove your legitimacy without waiting on the mail. It involves a scheduled video call with a Google representative where you give them a virtual tour to prove your business exists and is under your management.

How to Prepare for a Video Verification Call:

Preparation is everything for this method. The Google support agent needs to see three key things during the call:

• Proof of Location: You’ll need to show your business address in an undeniable way. The best way is to show a street view from your entrance with your street sign and business number visible. Then, you'll show your permanent business signage - both outside and inside, if possible. For service area businesses without a public storefront, you might show your branded company vehicle parked at your registered home address.
• Proof of Business: You need to show that you actually conduct business there. This can include having your tools of the trade visible (e.g., salon equipment, kitchen supplies, mechanic's tools), showing your official business documents (like a business license framed on the wall), or giving a quick look at your inventory or a workstation.
• Proof of Management: You have to prove you have access to and represent the business. The easiest way to do this is to unlock the front door with your keys or show them behind-the-scenes areas that only an employee would have access to, like a storage room or staff office. Access to a business-specific point-of-sale system can also work.

Step-by-Step Video Verification Process:

1. When setting up your profile, choose the "Video verification" or "Live video call" option.
2. You will be directed to schedule a time slot with a Google support representative.
3. Gather all your proof (signage, tools, documents, keys) and make sure your physical space is ready. Ensure you'll have a good internet connection at your location for the video call.
4. On the day of the call, a Google representative will join via a platform like Google Meet. Using your smartphone or tablet, you'll act as the camera operator based on their instructions.
5. They will guide you, asking you to show them the different proofs you’ve prepared. Just remain calm and follow their lead.
6. Once they are satisfied, they will end the call and your profile should be verified within a day or so.

Who gets it? This option is increasingly being offered to both new and existing businesses across various categories, especially for retailers, restaurants, and professional services with physical locations.

4. Bulk Verification for Multi-Location Businesses

If you're managing a larger business with 10 or more locations, you can forget about verifying each one individually. Google offers a bulk verification process that bypasses the need for postcards at scale.

How Bulk Verification Works:

• You must create a "location group" within your Google Business Profile account.
• You will then prepare a spreadsheet listing the name, address, phone number, and other key details for all of your business locations, following Google’s specific formatting guidelines.
• After submitting this file, you request bulk verification. A Google support team member will review your account and locations.
• If everything checks out and your brand is deemed legitimate, they can verify all of your listings at once, with no postcards necessary.

Who gets it? Chains, franchises, and businesses with at least 10 locations operating under the same brand.

What If I'm Stuck With Only the Postcard Option?

Sometimes, no matter what you do, the postcard is the only option Google offers. This is common for brand new businesses, businesses in residential addresses, or certain high-spam industries like locksmiths or plumbers. If this is you, don’t panic. You still have a path forward if the postcard method fails.

The "Postcard Never Arrived" Rescue Plan

1. Request it and wait. An old postal rule is to first double-check that your address is perfectly formatted. An incorrect suite number or zip code is the #1 reason for failure. Request the postcard and wait the full 14 days. Don't request another one during this period, as it will invalidate the previous code.
2. Request a second postcard. If 14 days pass and nothing has arrived, you can log back into your profile and click the "Request another code" button. Again, confirm every detail of your address before submitting.
3. Contact Google Support. After a second failed delivery attempt (some suggest waiting up to a month total), a link to contact Google Support will typically appear in your verification dashboard. This is your chance for manual verification. A tech may reach back with options similar to video verification by requesting specific photos or documents like:
   • Photos of your storefront showing permanent signage and the exterior of the building.
   • Copies of your business registration papers.
   • A copy of a recent utility bill (power, water, internet) that shows the business name and the service address.

This manual process requires patience, but it is often the final solution for businesses struggling with the postal service.

Final Thoughts

Verifying your Google Business Profile without a postcard has become much more achievable. Methods like phone, email, and especially live video calls can turn a weeks-long waiting game into a process that takes minutes. The key is understanding that Google offers these shortcuts based on the trust and digital signals it can find about your business, so having a consistent and professional online footprint is your best asset.

Once your location is officially on the map, your next job is to manage your online brand identity across social media. That's a task where having the right tools makes all the difference. We built Postbase to streamline this by bringing together everything you need - a visual content calendar, cross-platform scheduling, and a unified inbox - so you can focus on building your brand without fighting with your software. It helps you manage today's content, like Reels and TikTok videos, with the same ease as a simple photo post.