How do I verify my Google Business Profile?
Verification proves to Google that your business is real and that you manage it. Until you verify, you cannot edit details such as your business name or hours, and you cannot interact with customers through your profile. Adding or claiming a profile costs nothing.
What do I need before I start?
You need a Google Account. It can use a Gmail address or any other email address. If you have a company email address, you can link it to your Google Account, which makes the profile easier to manage.
You also need an address that Google can find. Enter a complete street address, and include the unit, suite, or floor number if you have one. Do not write an address such as “Across from the arena.” If your business does not serve customers at its address, such as a plumber or a mobile cleaner, you can hide the address and list your service area instead. Hide the address only if you are a service-area business.
How do I find my profile?
- Sign in to the Google Account that you want to own the profile.
- Search Google for your business name and city, or search for “my business”.
- If the profile does not exist, add your business at business.google.com/add.
- If an unverified profile already exists, open Google Maps, search for your business name and city, and select Claim this business, then Manage now.
If someone else already verified the profile, you cannot claim it. You must request ownership from the current owner.
How do I verify by phone, text, or email?
Phone, text, and email are the fastest methods when Google offers them.
- Go to your Business Profile.
- Select Get verified.
- Choose Phone, SMS, or Email.
- Answer the call, open the text, or follow the steps in the email.
- Enter the code on your profile.
Phone verification fails if an automated phone menu answers the call. These systems do not receive the code. Answer the line yourself. For email, make sure you can open the address shown on the verification screen.
How do I verify by live video call?
Google recommends video verification when your business is eligible. The call is only available during the business hours of your location, and you must be at your business.
- Prepare a device that supports live video calls.
- Go to your Business Profile and select Get verified, then Live video call.
- Choose your language and start the call.
- When a support representative joins, use your camera to show your location and your ownership.
Show outside signs or a street sign to prove the location. Show your products, branded equipment, or tools. Show that you manage the business, for example with a cash register, a storage room, or keys that open the facility. Do not show sensitive documents.
How do I verify by postcard?
Postcard verification is not available for every business.
- Go to your Business Profile and select Get verified, then Postcard.
- Check that your mailing address is correct.
- Request the code.
- When the postcard arrives, return to your profile, enter the 5-digit code in the Code field, and select Submit.
Most codes arrive within 14 days. While you wait, do not edit your business name, address, or category, because the code will stop working. Do not request a second code either. A new request cancels the first code and can make the process longer. Codes expire after 30 days.
Keep the code private. Google never asks you for it, and you should not give it to anyone, even a person who helps you manage the profile.
What happens after I submit the code?
Google reviews the information you provided. This review takes up to 5 business days. You can use that time to prepare photos, hours, and services, but do not change your name, address, or category until the review ends.
Why can I not choose the method I want?
Google decides the verification methods automatically, and you cannot change them. The options depend on your business type, public information, region, and business hours. Sometimes Google asks you to verify with more than one method.
If you do not see a method, try the ones that appear. If you still cannot verify, contact Google Business Profile support.
Questions people also ask
Does it cost money to verify my Google Business Profile?
No. Google says you can add or claim your business at no charge. Be careful with anyone who asks you to pay for verification.
Do I need a Gmail address to verify?
No. You need a Google Account, but you can create it with any email address, including your company email address.
Do I need to verify again if I move or change my business name?
Yes, in many cases. Google says that if you move your business to a new address after verification, you must verify again. A name change after verification might also require it.
Can I give my verification code to the person who manages my profile?
No. Keep the code private. Google says it never asks for the code, and you should not share it with anyone, including people who manage your profile.
What should I do if I cannot verify by any method?
Try each option that Google shows you, then contact Google Business Profile support. You can also ask in the Business Profile community.
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