Google Business Profile verification proves to Google that you run the business, which unlocks editing your profile and replying to customers. You start it by opening your profile and selecting Get verified. Google then shows you which methods you can use, and in 2026 that’s usually a short video recorded on your phone.
Video is where most people get stuck, so most of this guide is about recording one that passes the first time. I’ll cover every method, a shot-by-shot plan for storefront and service-area businesses, the reasons Google rejects videos, and what to do if you’re asked to verify again.
Before you start
- Use the right Google account. You need a Google account to manage a profile. It can be Gmail or any other email address. Sign in with the account you want to own the profile long term, not a staff member’s personal one.
- Find or add your business. Search Google for your business name and city, or search “my business” while signed in. If it’s not there, add it at business.google.com. If it exists but nobody has claimed it, claim it.
- Check your details first. Make sure the business name, address or service area, and category are right before you verify. Changing them during verification can reset the process.
- Online-only businesses can’t verify. Google says e-commerce shops with no in-person service aren’t eligible for a Business Profile.
How to verify your Google Business Profile: the methods
Open your profile and select Get verified. Google chooses which methods you see, based on your business type, public info, region and opening hours, and you can’t change them. Sometimes Google asks for more than one.
| Method | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Video recording | Record a live video on your phone in the Business Profile flow and upload it | Must be one continuous recording; Google recommends this method when it’s offered |
| Phone or text | Google calls or texts a code to your business number; you enter it on your profile | Automated phone menus (IVR) won’t get the code, so answer in person |
| Google emails the address shown on screen; follow the steps in it | You must be able to use that exact email address | |
| Live video call | A Google support rep watches as you show your business on camera | Only during your business hours, and not offered to everyone |
| Postcard | Google mails a 5-digit code to your address | Usually arrives within 14 days, expires after 30; don’t request a new one or edit your details while waiting |
After you submit, Google reviews it. That takes up to 5 business days, occasionally longer, and you get an email when you’re verified. Some profiles are verified instantly, for example when your website is already verified in Google Search Console.
Google Business Profile video verification: the rules
Google’s requirements are strict, and most rejections come from breaking one of them. Your video must be:
- Live. Recorded inside the Business Profile flow on your phone. You can’t upload something you filmed earlier.
- One continuous take. No edits and no breaks. If you stop, you start again.
- At least 30 seconds long.
And it must not show:
- Bank account, tax or ID numbers.
- Private info about you or anyone else.
- Other people’s faces.
What you film depends on your business type. A storefront business serves customers at its own location and has permanent signage. A service-area business goes to its customers, like a plumber or locksmith, and shouldn’t show its address on the profile. Google says that if you don’t have permanent signage, you should be listed as a service-area business rather than a storefront.
How to record your verification video
Plan your shots before you press record
Write down the three things you’ll show, in order: where the business is, proof the business exists, and proof you manage it. Use the shot lists below. Walk the route once without recording.
Start the video flow on your phone
Open your Business Profile on your phone, tap Get verified, then Business video and Next. Read the requirements, allow camera, microphone and location access, then tap Start recording.
Show your location
Start outside. Film the street sign, the building number, and nearby businesses or landmarks so Google can match the spot on Google Maps.
Show that the business exists
Storefronts: film the signage with your business name, exactly as it appears on your profile. Service-area businesses: film your branded van, tools, equipment or business cards.
Show that you manage it
Unlock the door, open the till, use your point-of-sale system or walk into a staff-only room. Service-area businesses can unlock a branded van or show a business permit, invoice or utility bill in the business name.
Review, then upload
Stop recording and watch it back. If anything is missing or blurry, tap Try again. When it covers all three parts, tap Upload video.
Shot lists you can follow on the day
These are built only from what Google asks for. Copy the one that fits your business and keep it on your phone while you film.
Storefront or hybrid business shot list
- Street sign at the nearest corner, then pan to your building.
- Building number and neighbouring businesses either side.
- Permanent sign with your business name, exactly as it appears on your Google profile.
- Unlock the front door with your key and walk in.
- Staff-only proof: open the till or point-of-sale system, or walk into the kitchen, storage room or back office.
- Don’t stop recording until you’re done. No customers’ or staff faces, no paperwork with account or ID numbers.
Service-area business shot list
- Street sign and a recognizable landmark at your business address. Working from home? Film the signs in your immediate neighbourhood.
- Your branded vehicle, then unlock it.
- Tools, equipment or products you use on jobs.
- Business cards or branded workwear.
- A business document in the same name as your profile, such as a permit, invoice or utility bill, with account and tax numbers covered.
- One continuous take. No faces of other people.
Why Google rejects verification videos
If your video doesn’t pass, your profile shows a Review issues notice. Google lists the reasons, and its own examples are:
- Business name not visible on the storefront. The sign is missing, blocked, out of focus or doesn’t match your profile name.
- No nearby area shown. You went straight to the door without filming the street, building number or neighbours.
- Missing proof of authorization. Nothing in the video shows that you run the business, like a key, a till or a staff-only room.
The other common mistakes come straight from the rules: a pre-recorded or edited clip, a recording that stops and starts, a clip shorter than 30 seconds, and visible faces or sensitive numbers.
To try again, tap Review issues, read what Google flagged, and record a new video. Google says the new one should include everything from your first video plus the missing parts, so don’t film only the bit that was wrong.
If you’re asked to verify again
Google sometimes asks for verification again after you change your business info. If the Get verified button reappears, Google couldn’t completely verify you. Try again, or use another method if more than one is offered.
To avoid repeat checks, make big edits to your name, address or category only when they’re true, and one at a time.
What to do once you’re verified
Verification gets you control of your profile. The work that helps you rank in Google Maps starts after that: complete every field, pick the right categories, add real photos, and build a steady flow of reviews. My guide on creating a Google review link and QR code is a good next step.
If you’d rather have someone handle the profile setup and ongoing optimization, that’s a core part of my local SEO service.
