How to Verify Your Google Business Profile: The Ultimate Guide

Verifying your Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence. A verified GBP not only enhances your credibility but also improves local SEO, making it easier for potential customers to find you. This guide will walk you through the process of verification, highlighting its benefits and providing step-by-step instructions.

Why you should verify your Google Business Profile

Here are some of the benefits enjoyed by business owners with verified Google Business profile:

a. Credibility and trust

Verification enhances business legitimacy by confirming that your business is authentic and trustworthy. Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that have verified profiles. This is especially important these days, as recent surveys suggest that 81% of consumers are likely to visit Google Reviews before purchasing from a business.

b. Increased visibility and search rankings

Google Business Profile verification boosts your visibility in local search results. Verified businesses are prioritized by Google search console algorithms, leading to higher search rankings and increased foot traffic. In a recent Forbes article, Google currently holds 90.68% of the search engine market share, making Google My Business (GMB)an essential marketing strategy.

c. Control over business information

With a verified Google Business profile, you have control over the information displayed about your business on Google. This includes your address, hours of operation, and contact details, ensuring that potential customers receive accurate information. Verified Google Business listing can effectively increase foot traffic on your business.

d. Access to insights and features

The Google Business Profile Manager offers a wealth of SEO analytics and marketing tools, including Google Posts, "Reserve Now" buttons, and detailed insights into customer interactions. These features help you understand and enhance your online presence, making it easier to attract and engage with customers.

To learn how Google Reviews boosts your online visibility and customer trust, read our article Boost Credibility and Trust: Adding Google Reviews to Your Website.

{{blog-cta-video="/features/product-updates"}}

‍Can anyone get verified on Google?

Most businesses can have their Google Business profile verified, provided they meet certain criteria. To be eligible, businesses typically need a physical location or a defined service area where they interact with customers in person. This includes retail stores, restaurants, offices, and service providers like plumbers or cleaning services. Online-only businesses, virtual offices, and PO Boxes generally do not qualify for verification as Google requires a verifiable address where customers can physically visit or receive services.

For example, a local boutique clothing store or a plumbing company with a defined service area can easily get verified, enhancing their visibility and credibility on Google. However, an e-commerce store without a physical presence or a consultant using a virtual office address for mail handling would likely face challenges in the verification process. Understanding these eligibility requirements helps businesses prepare adequately to meet Google's standards for verification.

Click here to learn more about the requirements for Google My Business verification.

What documents do I need to verify my business on Google?

To verify your business on Google, you'll need to provide specific documents that prove your business’s legitimacy and physical location. These documents help Google ensure that your business is authentic and operates from the claimed address. Commonly required documents include:

• Proof of business address: Documents such as utility bills, lease agreements, or mortgage statements that clearly show your business name and address.
• Business registration documents: Official papers like a certificate of incorporation, business license, or tax documents that verify your business is legally registered.
• Personal identification: Government-issued ID such as a driver's license, passport, or ID card to confirm the identity of the person requesting verification.

How do I get my Google Business listing verified?

Ensuring your Google Business listing is verified is crucial for enhancing your online presence and credibility. This section provides a step-by-step guide to help you through the verification process.

1. Create a Google Account for your business

1. Go to Google Account and create a new account specifically for your business.
2. Follow the prompts to set up your account, ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date.

2. Set up a Google Business profile listing

1. Visit Google My Business and click “Manage now.”
2. Enter your business name and address. If your business does not have a physical location, you can specify a service area.
3. Choose your business category and add contact details.

3. Claim your Google Business profile listing

1. If your business is already listed, search for it on Google My Business and select it.
2. Click “Claim this business” and follow the prompts to confirm ownership.

To learn more about claiming a Google Business Profile, read our complete guide here.

4. Verify Your Google Business profile listing

Google offers several methods for verifying your business listing:

• Phone or Text: Google will send a verification code via phone call or SMS.
• Email: Google will send a verification code to your business email address.
• Video Recording: You may be asked to submit a video showing your business location and signage.
• Video Call: Schedule a live video call with a Google representative.
• Postcard: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your business address. Enter the code on your Google My Business account to complete the process.

How can I check to see if a company is verified on Google Business?

To determine if a business is verified on Google, search for the business on Google Maps or Google Search. Verifiedbusinesses will typically appear with a complete profile, including accurate information, photos, and reviews. Although there is no longer a specific "Verified" badge, you can still identify a verified business by its comprehensive and well-maintained listing.

Additional Methods:

1. Google Business Profile Manager verification checker tool:
   • Step 1: Visit the Verification Status Checker page and sign in using the email address associated with your Google My Business (GMB) account.
   • Step 2: Confirm that the email address is linked to the business profile you want to check.
   • Step 3: Select your GMB account from the list. If you have multiple accounts, choose the relevant one.
   • Step 4: The status of your account will be displayed, indicating whether it is verified or pending verification.
2. GMB dashboard notifications:
   • Log into your GMB dashboard and look for a "Verify now" notification banner. If you do not see this message, your account is likely verified.
   • If your account is verified but you encounter issues like suspension or a re-verification ban, different notifications may appear on your dashboard.

What to do if you can't verify your Google My Business profile listing? Troubleshooting tips

Here's a quick guide on Google Business profile verification troubleshooting:

If Google My Business video verification is not working:

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
• Check your camera and microphone permissions.
• Restart the verification process.
• Contact Google Support for further assistance and alternative verification methods.

Verify your business on Google without a postcard:

• Opt for phone or email verification.
• Schedule a video call with a Google representative for real-time verification.

Calling Google for Business verification:

• Contact Google Support for help with phone verification or other methods.

Avoid bypassing Google Business verification:

• Follow official verification procedures to prevent listing removal or flagging.
• Methods include phone, email, video call, or postcard verification.

What to do if Google My Business video verification is not working?

If your video verification isn't working, first ensure that you have a stable internet connection and that your camera and microphone permissions are properly set. If you continue to experience issues, try restarting the verification process. If problems persist, it's best to contact Google Support for further assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue and provide alternative verification methods if necessary.

How do I verify my business on Google without a postcard?

If you prefer not to use the postcard method for verification, there are alternative options available. You can opt for phone or email verification, where Google will send a verification code directly to your business phone number or email address. Additionally, video call verification is another option, where you can schedule a live video call with a Googlerepresentative who will verify your business in real time.

Can I call Google to verify my business?

Yes, you can call Google Support to request assistance with verifying your business. They can guide you through the phone verification process or help you with other verification methods. Contacting Google Support can be particularly helpful if you're facing difficulties with the standard verification options or if you need personalized assistance.

How do I bypass Google Business verification?

Bypassing Google Business verification is strongly discouraged as it can lead to your business listing being removed or flagged. Google has established verification procedures to ensure the legitimacy and accuracy of business listings. Always follow the official verification methods provided by Google, such as phone, email, video call, or postcard, to ensure your business is properly verified and compliant with Google's guidelines.

What happens if you don't verify your Google Business account?

An unverified Google Business account can significantly impact your online presence. Without verification, your business may not appear prominently in search results, which could result in reduced visibility among potential customers. Moreover, you'll have limited control over the information displayed on your profile, potentially leading to inaccuracies or outdated details that deter customers from engaging with your business.

For instance, imagine a local bakery that has yet to verify its Google Business account. When potential customers search for "bakery near me," verified bakeries in the area with complete profiles appear first in the search results. However, the unverified bakery, lacking crucial details and not appearing prominently, misses out on potential foot traffic and orders from local customers who rely on Google for information.

To learn more about the benefits of Google reputation management, read our article Mastering the Art of Searching Google Reviews for Informed Decisions.

How do I verify my business on Google Maps?

Once your Google Business profile is verified, this status will be reflected not only on Google Maps but also across other Google platforms like Google Hotels and Google Restaurants.

To ensure your business is verified on Google Maps, follow these steps:

1. Check your Google Maps listing: Open Google Maps and search for your business name.
2. Claim your business: If your business appears, click on "Claim this business" or "Own this business?" to start the verification process.
3. Complete verification: Follow the prompts provided to verify your business using one of the available methods, such as phone, email, video call, or postcard.

This Google Business profile verification ensures that your business information is accurate and accessible to potential customers searching on Google Maps and other related services.

Unlock business potential with this guide to Google Maps Marketing in this comprehensive guide.

Unlock business potential with this guide to Google Maps Marketing in this comprehensive guide.

What happens when your Google Business Profile gets verified?

After successfully verifying your Google Business Profile, several key actions can enhance your online presence and engagement:

1. Update listing information

Ensure all business details, such as contact information, operating hours, and services offered, are kept current. This helps potential customers find accurate information about your business.

2. Optimize data across Google platforms

Consistently update and maintain your business information not only on Google Business but also on related platforms like Google Maps and Google Hotels. This consistency improves your business's visibility and reliability across different Google services.

3. Upload photos and videos

Visual content plays a crucial role in attracting customers to your Google Business Profile. Regularly upload high-quality photos and videos that showcase your products, services, and ambiance. This helps potential customers get a better sense of what your business offers.

Optimize your Google Business profile to boost your ranking on relevant Google searches by following this guide.

4. Collect and respond to Google Reviews

Actively monitor and respond to customer reviews on your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews can attract more customers while addressing negative feedback demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Learn why you should reply to every Google review and how it can help your business in this article.

{{blog-cta="/features/product-updates"}}

5. Share your Google Business listing

Utilize the share feature to promote your verified listing across social media, your website, and other digital channels. This increases visibility and encourages more interactions with your business.

Learn How to Generate and Share a Google Reviews Link: A quick guide on how you can gather Google reviews and use them to boost your online reputation, sales, and customer retention.

Make the most out of your verified Google Business listing with MARA: Product-led content

Responding to online reviews can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be with our AI Review Assistant of MARA. This intuitive tool is designed to ease your Online Reputation Management process, making it more efficient, personalized, and time-saving. It offers the best and most personalized AI for responding to and analyzing your guest reviews.

Review Inbox

One of the key features of this tool is the Review Inbox. Your review inbox makes responding to reviews as simple as hitting "Generate reply" and clicking "Send". The Review Inbox connects to multiple review sources, including Google, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor, giving you a panoramic view of all your reviews. And you can even configure review response automation: Why not allow MARA to automatically respond to simple reviews, like 5-star Google reviews with no text, ensuring you never miss a review? Daily notifications about new reviews keep you updated and in control.

Review Analytics

To help you understand and analyze the multitude of reviews, the Review Assistant also incorporates Review Analytics. This provides actionable, easy-to-understand insights that are tailored exclusively to your business. With MARA, you can quickly get the gist of all your reviews without needing to read each one. The analysis is so detailed that you can find out about specific issues like "water in the pool is too cold" or "lack of vegan breakfast option”. These insights help optimize guest experience without requiring you to be a data expert.

The most personal response AI

MARA's AI isn't just about efficiency; it's about personalization too. The Brand Voice feature allows the AI to adapt to your tone, making sure your responses sound authentically you. Plus, with Smart Snippets, you can "teach" the AI how to respond to recurring praises or complaints. Your AI then incorporates this information into its responses, but always with different words, providing more personalized, relevant replies.

This review response assistant has quickly become a game-changer for over 2000 customers. Its promising capacity to elevate your overall rating, amplify response rates, glean insights from customer feedback, and economize both time and money, is the reason behind its growing popularity.

Final Thought

Verifying your Google Business Profile is essential for enhancing your online presence, credibility, and local SEO. A verified profile ensures your business appears prominently in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find and trust you. By following the verification steps, you can maintain accurate business information, access valuable insights, and utilize Google's marketing tools, unlocking numerous benefits to help your business thrive in today's digital landscape. Additionally, managing online reviews need not be overwhelming; with the right software, you can streamline the process, personalize responses, and derive valuable insights from reviews. Why hesitate to try our AI Review Assistant, MARA? It's free for testing, requires no credit card, and can be fully operational in less than five minutes.

This article is part of our hero content on "Mastering Google Reviews - A Complete Guide."