A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Verifying Your Google Business Profile and Building Your Online Reputation
If you want more Google reviews, there is one important job to take care of first.
Make sure you have claimed and verified your Google Business Profile.
Your Business Profile is what allows your business to appear on Google Search and Google Maps with information such as your phone number, hours, services, photos and customer reviews.
Once your business is verified, you can manage the profile, interact with customers and respond to reviews.
Fortunately, getting verified is usually straightforward.
Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Find or Add Your Business on Google
First, sign into the Google account you want to use to manage your business.
Then search Google for:
Your business name + your city
If Google already knows about your business, you may see an existing Business Profile.
If you own the business but don’t currently manage the profile, you’ll need to claim it.
If your business doesn’t appear at all, you can create a new Google Business Profile and add your business information.
Make sure the information you provide is accurate.
That includes your:
Business name.
Business category.
Phone number.
Website.
Address or service area.
Business hours.
Google requires businesses to add or claim their profile before completing verification.
Step 2: Select “Get Verified”
Once you have access to the profile, Google will show you the verification options available for your particular business.
This is important:
You don’t get to choose from every possible verification method.
Google determines which methods are available based on factors such as your business type, region and the information Google has about your company. In some cases, Google may require more than one verification method.
You may be offered verification by:
- Video recording
- Phone or text
- Live video call
- Postcard
Simply follow the verification option Google gives you.
Step 3: Be Prepared for Video Verification
Video verification has become an important verification method, especially for local and service-area businesses.
This can include businesses such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, landscapers and contractors that travel to customers rather than operating primarily from a storefront.
Google may ask you to record a video proving that the business actually exists and that you genuinely operate it.
Google says video verification can be used for storefront businesses, service-area businesses and hybrid businesses. The recording must be made live through your Business Profile, be unedited and be at least 30 seconds long.
So what might you need to show?
If you’re a plumber, for example, you might show:
Your work vehicle.
Your plumbing tools and equipment.
Business signage or branding.
Your business location.
Materials you use to serve customers.
Evidence showing that you actually manage the business.
The exact requirements depend on your type of business.
The important thing is to demonstrate that this is a genuine operating business—not simply a listing somebody created online.
Step 4: Complete the Verification
If Google gives you phone or SMS verification, you’ll receive a code by call or text.
If email verification is available, Google will send instructions to the email address displayed during verification.
If postcard verification is offered, Google mails a code to your business address.
Google says postcard codes generally arrive within 14 days and expire after 30 days. Avoid changing important Business Profile information such as your name, address or category while you’re waiting because this can invalidate the code.
Simply follow the instructions shown on your profile.
How Long Does Google Verification Take?
Sometimes verification happens quickly.
Other times, Google needs to review the information you’ve provided.
Google currently advises that its review process after completing verification steps can take up to five business days.
Once approved, Google sends you confirmation.
Now you can properly manage your Business Profile.
What Happens Once You Are Verified?
This is where things get interesting.
Your Google Business Profile can become an important part of your local marketing.
You can keep your business details accurate.
Upload photographs.
Update your opening hours.
Manage how your company appears on Google Search and Maps.
Respond to customer reviews.
And, importantly, start making reviews part of your customer follow-up process.
Don’t simply verify the profile and forget about it.
Use it.
Start Asking Customers for Reviews
Once your profile is ready, build a simple review system.
Complete the job.
Make sure the customer is satisfied.
Ask them for honest feedback.
Send them a direct Google review link.
Follow up politely if they forget.
Then repeat the process with your next customer.
This is where many local businesses have a huge opportunity.
They already have happy customers.
They simply aren’t consistently asking those customers to share their experiences.
Imagine your plumbing company completes 50 successful jobs this month.
That’s potentially 50 opportunities to generate customer feedback.
Next month, you get another 50.
Over time, those reviews can become powerful evidence that your business is trusted by people in your local area.
Verification Is Only the Beginning
Getting your business verified on Google isn’t particularly exciting.
But what it allows you to do can be incredibly valuable.
Your Google Business Profile gives prospective customers somewhere to find you, learn about your business and read what previous customers have to say.
So claim your profile.
Complete Google’s verification process.
Make sure all your business information is accurate.
Then start consistently asking customers for honest reviews.
Because the goal isn’t simply to have a verified Google Business Profile.
The goal is to turn that profile into another reason for local customers to choose you instead of your competitors.