How to verify Google My Business?

You spent a lot of time preparing your Google My Business profile to make sure it looks just right. You’re ready to make the profile live, but you’re not done with the process just yet because you still need to verify Google My Business. Just follow the steps below to verify your profile and then it will be ready to show to the world.

Choose Your Verification Method

Google allows you to select a method that is most convenient for you to confirm your profile details, including by postal mail, email, phone, or video. Depending on the category of your business listing and other details like hours and location, you may need to verify your business profile in more than one way.

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Why is Verification Important?

Having to verify Google My Business when you just want to publish your listing can feel like an inconvenience. However, Google needs to confirm that you are who you say you are before you can publish or make any changes to your listing. Here are just some of the things you will need to hold off on until the verification process is complete:

• Editing any business details, including hours, location, and how your business appears on Google Maps.
• Upload any new images.
• Respond to customer questions or reviews.
• View data about your business listing in Google My Business Insights.

Expectations Regarding Turnaround Time on Google My Business Listing

The verification process is not instant in most cases, and you should expect to wait between five and seven days for Google to complete it. The only exception to instant verification is if Google has already verified your business through its Search Console. Google will present you with options for verifying your business profile after you have finished creating it.

Postal Mail Verification

Postal mail verification can take up to two weeks. You should allow up to one week for Google to send a postcard with instructions and another week for them to receive the postcard back and complete the verification process. Look over your listing before submitting your verification by mail request to ensure that you have included all address details, such as floor number, suite number, or building number.

Log back into Google My Business after receiving the postcard and enter the verification code Google mailed to you. Since the code expires in 30 days, it’s to your advantage to complete the verification process as soon as you receive it.

Email Verification

You should receive an email within minutes of your request if you choose this method to confirm the details in your business listing. The email will provide detailed instructions on what to do next. Once you complete and return the email, it takes Google approximately one week to manually confirm the information you provided.

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Video Verification

Google allows you to select between video call and video recording. You need to be physically present at your business location to take advantage of video verification. For video calls, login to your Google My Business account and select the verify and video call options. You then need to wait for a support assistant to connect with you via a text window. This person will walk you through the rest of the verification process.

Should you choose video recording, you should be ready to begin recording as soon as you select this option. Be sure to include video footage of your physical business location, nearby street signs, and proof that you own or manage the business. You can confirm ownership by recording yourself opening the door with a key or working in staff-only areas of the company.

Verification via video takes about five days from the time you upload your data until Google confirms it. Be sure to look for the support hours for your region before requesting Google to send you video download instructions.

Text or Phone Verification

Not all businesses are eligible to verify their listing by phone or text. You will see the phone option appear after you click the verify button if Google allows you to proceed with text or phone verification.

Google will send you an automated voicemail or text right away, so make sure you have your smartphone handy. The last step is to return to your business listing to enter the code. You can expect to hear from Google that the verification process is complete within about five to seven business days.

Regardless of which verification method you choose, you will see that the process is complete when you can login to the Google My Business dashboard.

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