Why Am I Asked to Verify my Google Business Profile?
The verification process is essential for Google to determine whether your business is legitimate and actually exists at the specified location. By completing the verification process, you prove not only that your business is genuine but also that you have owner or manager rights. Google aims to prevent fake listings or unauthorized persons from claiming your business listing. Keep in mind that verified Google Business Profiles are prioritized in local searches, as Google is more confident that directing potential customers to your business will not leave them in front of anything but your business! Verifying your GBP can be quite overwhelming if you are not familiar with each step.
Our customer success manager Diana helps clients daily with the verification or re-verification process and shares all the little tricks in this article!
When Do You Have to Verify Your Google Business Profile?
There are different scenarios in which you may be asked to verify or re-verify your Google Business Profile. You will be asked to verify when you create a new Google Business Profile or when you claim an existing one. If your already verified profile is flagged by Google, you may be asked to re-verify your profile. This happens often if new information is changed frequently or suspicious activities are reported on your listing.
How Do I Check my Google Business Verification Status?
You can check whether your GBP is active or needs (re-)verification by logging into your Google Business Profile Manager. If you are creating a new GBP from scratch, the verification process will be part of the initial setup process of your listing.
When you are logged in, follow these steps:
- Locate your business under the column “Businesses”“
- Check your status under the column ““Status”“
- Verification Required: The profile needs to be verified (or re-verified)
- Pending Edits: The changes that have been made are now reviewed and not yet published.
- Duplicate: There is another GBP that conflicts with the current one. You need to take action and either merge the duplicate listings or delete the obsolete listings. Learn how to handle duplicate GBP.
- Processing: Your verification is in progress.
- Verified: Your profile is verified and no action is required.
How to Verify Your Google Business Profile
Verifying your GBP is straightforward. Before starting the verification process for an existing profile, ensure you have “Manager Access” to the profile. Without this access, you will not be able to proceed. If you are setting up a profile from scratch, make sure to use the correct email address of the person who will be listed as the primary owner. If this person is you, you’re good to go. If you will be managing the profile, be sure to add yourself as a manager.
Google Business Profile Verification Methods
There are different verification methods that Google offers.
1.Postcard Verification
- Ensure a correct address on your GBP
- Request the verification postcard
- After 5-14 days a postcard with a code will arrive at your address
- Come back to your GBP and complete the verification by entering the code from the postcard
2.Phone Verification
- Ensure a correct phone number on your GBP
- Choose between call or SMS
- Enter the code received in the designated field
3.E-Mail Verification
- Ensure your e-mail address is correct and that you have access to the inbox
- Request the e-mail
- Follow the instructions in the e-mail. Mostly you will be asked to fill in a code similar to the phone verification.
Important: While email verification seems convenient, in our experience, it is unfortunately rarely offered as an option. While this may seem annoying at first, it is actually beneficial that Google prefers a more thorough background check to ensure your business is legitimate and that you are indeed the rightful owner. This helps prevent false claims on GBPs.
4.Video Verification
- Pre-set-up required: an employee, manager or the owner must be present at the location and able to prove a minimum of manager access. The person must have manager access to the GBP.
- Click on the verify now button in your GBP
- Scan the QR code with your phone
- Record the video and make sure you include the following 3 things
- Show the surrounding areas, such as street signs or neighboring businesses
- Show the business name on a signboard
- Show access to a cash register, enter a staff-only area, and open the business premises
- The video verification has to be done directly via your GBP
Diana’s tip: "Many businesses forget that they cannot upload a video and must capture all requirements in one go from the profile itself. That's why I always recommend to practice before and make sure to start the verification recording during a quite time at the location.”
5.Instant Verification
If your business has already been verified by Google Search Console, you might qualify for instant verification. This method, however, is limited to certain regions and accounts. In this case, no “Get verified” prompt will appear, and you can immediately edit your profile and reach new customers.
6.Bulk Verification
- Applicable for 10 or more locations that belong to the same business and are not a service-area business (you need a physical location such as a hotel, restaurant, doctor’s office).
- Create a bulk spreadsheet by clicking on “Add profile” → “Import profiles” → “Download the template” → complete each field → upload the spreadsheet
- Submit a verification
- Sign in again to your Business Profile Manager
- Click on “Verifications” and select “Chain”
- Fill out the form
You will receive an email once your account has been bulk verified. If your account is verified, all eligible profiles from your spreadsheet that have not yet been claimed will be automatically verified.
In some cases, you can choose the preferred method of verification; in others, Google does not offer a choice. Occasionally, you may need more than one verification method. If you need to re-verify your business and demonstrate that you are either the owner or authorized to manage the business on the owner's behalf, you may be asked to record a video at the specific location.
How Long Does the Verification Process of my Google Business Profile Take?
The time it takes for your business to be verified depends heavily on the verification method you choose. Postcard verification usually takes between 5 and 14 days, while phone, email, or instant verification is completed within minutes. Video verification may take a couple of days, and bulk verification can take up to 7 days.
Can I Skip the Google Business Profile Verification?
Skipping the verification process is not possible, and without verification, your GBP will not be publicly visible or active. It will not appear in local searches or on Google Maps, as Google aims to display only legitimate businesses in search results. The only exception, instant verification, allows you to immediately edit your profile and make it visible to local customers. However, instant verification requires a previously verified website by Google Search Console and may not be available for your business or region.
What Should I Do if the Verification of my Google Business Profile Is Rejected?
If your verification is rejected, follow these steps to resolve the issue:
- Check the reason for rejection: When verification is rejected, Google will provide a reason, such as incorrect address information or a mismatch with Google’s guidelines. If you recorded a video, the rejection may be due to missing required information or poor video quality that prevented Google from verifying all details.
Diana’s tip: "We had many clients for which the video got rejected the first time. There is no need to worry! From our experience, re-doing the video a second time".
- Double-check all information: Based on the rejection reason, double-check all your business information to ensure it aligns with your website and official documents.
- Contact Google Support: Once all details are confirmed, reach out to Google Support for assistance. They can review your case and may request additional information (for instance they will ask for a utility bill) to complete the verification.
- Choose an alternative verification method: Depending on the initial verification method, consider choosing an alternative (if applicable). For example, video verification can demonstrate your presence at the specified location and verify ownership more effectively than phone or postcard verification.
How Do I Reclaim Ownership of a Google Business Listing?
If a person outside your business has wrongfully claimed ownership of your business’s GBP you can request ownership back. There are two options “direct claim” or “ownership request” that, if successful, hand over the ownership rights of the GBP to you. Why is this important? Having ownership of your GBP is essential if your profile needs to be verified.
Follow the steps below:
- Find your business by entering the name and address
- Select the correct one from the search results
- Click on “Claim this business”
- Click “Continue”
- You will see a message, that someone else has already claimed your business
- Click on “Request access”
- Fill in all required information
- Click “Submit”
- The current owner will receive an e-mail with your request
What if the Current Owner Doesn’t Respond or Hand Over Ownership?
If you requested access but the person who wrongfully claimed your business does not cooperate within 3 days, you can take the following actions:
- The current owner rejected your request: You will receive an email notifying you of the rejection. Reach out to Google Support to appeal this decision. You will need to demonstrate that you are the rightful owner of the business.
- The current owner doesn’t respond: If there is no response within 3 days, you can claim the profile yourself. Locate the email confirmation about your ownership request and follow the on-screen instructions to verify that you are the rightful owner (or the manager on behalf of the owner). You can also check your Google Business Profile Manager for the “Claim” or “Verify” button on your dashboard.
After the successful verification of your GBP it is time to fill out your profile and optimize it for more online visibility! Read more about how to optimize your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility among local searches!
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