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Verify your Google Business Profile (2026)

7 min read

What you’ll have at the end

Your Google Business Profile with verification completed and sent to Google for review. Google says you need to verify your business before you can edit its info on Google, such as its name or hours, and interact with customers. This guide ends at Google's review, which is a wait.

Before you start

You’ll need

  • A Google Business Profile you've created or claimed, not yet verified
  • The Google Account associated with that profile
  • Access to your business phone number or email, if Google offers those methods
  • A mobile phone, if Google offers a video recording

What it costs. Google says you can add or claim your business at no charge.

This guide follows on from creating your profile. If you haven't created or claimed one yet, please do that first.

Google chooses which verification method you're offered. Google says the methods are automatically determined and can't be changed, and depend on your business type, public info, region or business hours. You'll see one or more of these: a phone call or text, an email, a live video call, a video recording, or a postcard. Steps 5 to 20 cover each method. Please follow only the steps for the method Google shows you.

Please sign in with the Google Account associated with your profile. Google says you must, or you won't find it.

Steps

  1. 1. Sign in to your Google Account

    On a computer, sign in to the Google Account associated with your Business Profile.

  2. 2. Find your profile

    On Google Search, search for the words my business, or for your business's name and city. You can also go to business.google.com.

  3. 3. Click Get verified

    On your profile, click Get verified. If you're on business.google.com right after creating the profile, find the red banner at the top and click Verify now instead.

  4. 4. See which method Google offers

    Look at the verification options on screen. Then please go to the step for your method and skip the others: - Phone or SMS: step 5 - Email: step 7 - Live video call: step 8 - A video recording, made on your phone: step 12 - Postcard: step 17

    Google's verification help says that if your business is eligible for video verification, Google recommends you use it.

  5. 5. Choose Phone or SMS

    Before you choose, please make sure you can answer your business phone or receive text messages on it. Google says automated phone menus (IVR systems) won't get the code. Then select Phone or SMS.

  6. 6. Enter the code

    Answer the call or open the text with the code. On your profile, enter the code. Then go to step 21.

  7. 7. Choose Email and follow the email

    Please make sure you can use the email address shown on the verification screen. Select Email, then open the email from Google and follow its steps. Then go to step 21.

  8. 8. Get ready for a live video call

    Live video calls are only available within your business hours. Please be at your business, on a device that supports live video calls. Google asks you to be ready to show: - Your location: outside signs, nearby businesses, or a street sign that confirms where your business is. - Your business or equipment: your products, branded equipment, marketing materials, or customer service tools. - Proof you manage the business: for example, access to employee-only areas, a cash register, kitchen or storage room, business documents, or keys that open the premises.

  9. 9. Select Live video call

    Select Live video call, then Next.

  10. 10. Choose your language and select Start call

    Choose your language. Then select Start call. Google says this starts a text chat with a support representative.

  11. 11. Show your business on camera

    When the representative is ready, they'll help you join a video call. Please use your device's camera to show your location and that you run the business, as in step 8. Then go to step 21.

  12. 12. Plan your video recording

    Google asks for a video recorded and uploaded from a mobile device through your Business Profile, so please use your phone for steps 13 to 16. The video must be at least 30 seconds, unedited and in one take with no breaks. Google asks it to show: - Where your business is: street signs, building numbers, nearby businesses or landmarks. - That your business exists: if customers visit you, your storefront or sign, with your business name on a permanent fixture such as a signboard, wall or window. If you visit your customers, your professional tools, equipment, products, workspace, business cards or branded clothing. - That you manage it: something only an employee can do, such as opening the cash register, kitchen or storage room, or using your point-of-sale system. For a business that visits its customers, Google suggests recording yourself doing a service or opening a van with your business branding, or showing business documents such as a business permit, invoice or utility bill.

    Please don't show bank account, tax or ID numbers, other private info, or other people's faces.

  13. 13. Open your profile on your phone

    On your phone, go to your Business Profile and tap Get verified. Enter your phone number if asked, and tap Next.

  14. 14. Choose Business video

    Tap Business video, then Next. Read the video requirements and allow access to your camera and location.

  15. 15. Record your video

    Tap Next, then Start recording. Record your video in one take, then tap the stop button. If you'd like to re-record, tap Try again.

  16. 16. Tap Upload video

    When you're happy with your video, tap Upload video. Then go to step 21.

  17. 17. Choose Postcard

    Select Postcard. Please check that your mailing address is correct.

  18. 18. Request the code

    Request the postcard with your code. Google's verification help says most codes arrive within 14 days, and codes expire after 30 days.

  19. 19. Leave your details unchanged while you wait

    While you wait for the postcard, please don't edit your business name, address or category. Google says that if you do, the code won't work. Please don't request a new code either.

  20. 20. Enter the code and select Submit

    When the postcard arrives, go to your Business Profile. In the Code field, enter the 5-digit code, and select Submit.

  21. 21. Wait for Google's review

    After you complete the verification steps, Google reviews the information you provided. Google's verification help says verification reviews take up to 5 business days, and Google's video recording help says the same for a recorded video. This guide ends here, at the wait.

If something looks different

  • The methods at step 4 depend on your business. Not every business sees every method, and Google says you can't change the methods offered.
  • If Get verified appears on your profile again after the review, Google says it couldn't completely verify your business. Please try to verify again.
  • If a recorded video isn't accepted, Google says it didn't meet all the requirements and shares the reasons. You can record a new one; please check step 12 first.
  • If you can't find your profile at step 2, please check you're signed in to the Google Account associated with it.
  • If live video verification isn't offered or doesn't work for you, Google suggests trying the other options you're given, and contacting support if you still can't verify.

Related guides

Sources

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