To verify your Google Business Profile, complete the verification method Google assigns to your profile.
You usually cannot choose the method yourself. Depending on your business and profile, Google may offer phone or SMS, email, mail, video, live video call, or instant verification (source: Google).
Verification comes after claiming your profile. Claiming starts the process of taking control of a Business Profile; verification confirms that you are authorized to manage it. Google requires verification before you can fully manage important profile information and interact with customers through the profile.
If you have not claimed your profile yet, start with our guide to claiming your Google Business Profile first. (The link to that guide is in Step 1 below.)
This guide explains:
Verification helps Google confirm that the person managing a Business Profile is authorized to represent the business (source: Google).
Without it, someone could try to take control of a business listing and change important information such as its phone number, address, or business details. Google therefore uses verification as an ownership and authorization check.
Verification is not a ranking factor by itself. Getting verified does not guarantee higher placement on Google Maps or Google Search. It is better to think of verification as the control and access step that comes before ongoing profile management.
A common source of confusion is assuming a business can pick whichever verification method it prefers.
You generally cannot choose or change the verification method yourself. Google automatically determines which options are available for your Business Profile. (source: Google)
The options Google makes available can depend on factors such as:
Some businesses may be asked to complete more than one method. And if Google offers video verification for your business, Google recommends using that option (source: Google).
The important point is simple:
Do not build a verification plan around a method you want. Start with the method Google actually offers on your profile.
A verified profile can still be incomplete — and incomplete profiles miss opportunities. The free 25-Point Google Maps Visibility Checklist walks through primary and additional categories, hours, holiday hours, phone, website, services, and photos — so you catch what’s missing before it costs you visibility.
Get the Free 25-Point Checklist →Google supports several verification paths. The exact options you see depend on your individual Business Profile (source: Google). The main ones:
If this option appears:
You need access to the business phone number shown during the process. If Google does not offer phone or SMS verification, you cannot simply request it as an alternative.
Email verification is only available when Google offers it for your profile.
If Google offers mail verification, it sends a verification code to the business mailing address on the profile.
Google says most codes arrive within 14 days (source: Google).
Important while waiting for the postcard: do not change the business name, address, or category; do not request another code just because it hasn’t arrived yet — requesting a new code invalidates the previous one and can make the process take longer (source: Google).
Google says mail verification codes expire after 30 days (source: Google).
Keep the code private. Google will never ask you for your verification code. (source: Google)
Google may ask you to verify by recording a video. Video verification can apply to storefront businesses, service-area businesses, and hybrid businesses (source: Google).
Video requirements. Google’s requirements state the video must be (source: Google):
Avoid sensitive or private information in the video — for example bank account information, tax information, identification numbers, or private information belonging to you or other people.
What should the video show? Google uses the video to confirm your business exists and you are authorized to represent it.
The goal is evidence that connects your business → its real-world operation → your ability to manage it, not a promotional video.
Rule for service-area businesses: if you operate as a service-area business and do not serve customers at your business address, do not add a physical address simply to make verification easier (source: Google). Businesses that operate entirely online without in-person customer contact are not eligible for a Business Profile.
Google may offer a live video call instead of, or in addition to, a recorded video. This method is not available to every business.
If Google offers it, the call must be completed during the business hours shown for your location, and you should be at the business location, using a device that supports live video, ready to show evidence of your location and that you manage the business (source: Google).
Google may ask you to show exterior signs, a street sign or nearby business, your products or equipment, branded materials, tools, restricted business areas, or keys — evidence that you manage the location.
This is real-time, so prepare the location and evidence before starting the call.
Some businesses can be verified without entering a code. Google says instant verification may be available when (source: Google):
Instant verification is not available to every business. If you don’t see it, use the methods Google provides.
Bulk verification is mainly relevant to chains and businesses with 10 or more locations of the same business (source: Google). Additional requirements:
Bulk verification is generally not relevant to a typical single-location local business, and it is not available for service-area businesses (source: Google).
If you have not claimed the profile yet, complete that process first:
See How to Claim Your Google Business Profile.
Claiming and verification are separate steps — claiming ends where verification begins.
Sign in to the Google Account associated with the Business Profile and make sure you’re managing the correct business before starting.
Open your Business Profile and select the available Get verified option. Google will show the method or methods currently available to you.
Follow the instructions for the method Google provides. That may mean entering a phone or SMS code, completing email verification, requesting and entering a mailed code, recording a verification video, completing a live video call, or finishing instant verification. You cannot assume another method will be available simply because you prefer it.
After you complete the process, Google reviews the information you provided. Google says verification reviews can take up to 5 business days, although some take longer (source: Google).
When verification succeeds, Google sends a confirmation email (source: Google). At that point your profile is verified and you can move to the next stage: making sure the profile is complete and accurately represents the business.
Verification codes can be used to establish control of a Business Profile, so this deserves its own section.
Google explicitly states it will never ask you for your verification code. (source: Google) Do not give the code to:
Even if someone says they need the code to “finish verification,” do not share it. If another person needs access to help manage your Business Profile, use the appropriate profile access and ownership controls instead of giving them your code.
Wait through the expected delivery period, confirm the mailing address on the profile is correct, and avoid changing the business name, address, or category while waiting. If the code still doesn’t arrive, follow Google’s instructions for requesting another code — but remember that requesting a new one invalidates the previous code (source: Google).
Mail verification codes expire after 30 days (source: Google). If the code has expired, restart the verification process.
If you completed verification but the Get verified option appears again, Google may not have been able to completely verify the business. Try again, or try another method if Google offers one (source: Google).
If your video is not accepted and Google shows a Review issues notification, select it, read the instructions, correct the problem, and resubmit (source: Google). Do not resubmit the same video repeatedly without addressing the issue Google identified.
Google may ask for more information or ask you to verify again. This can happen after business information has been changed. If Google asks you to re-verify, select Get verified, follow the new instructions, provide what’s requested, and wait for the new review (source: Google).
Service-area businesses often face different requirements. Before submitting verification, check:
For video verification, focus on evidence of the real operation of the business rather than trying to recreate a storefront (source: Google).
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Postcard hasn’t arrived | Wait through the delivery period and confirm the address is correct; requesting a new code invalidates the old one |
| Business info changed while waiting | Follow Google’s current instructions rather than assuming the original code still works |
| Mail verification code expired (30 days) | Restart verification and request a new code |
| “Get verified” appears again | Try verification again, or another method if Google offers one |
| Video shows “Review issues” | Open “Review issues” and follow Google’s instructions |
| Google requests additional info | Re-verify and provide the requested information |
| Verification fails | Try another available method or contact Google support |
| Someone asks for your verification code | Do not share it — Google never asks for it |
| You have 10+ locations | Check whether you’re eligible for bulk verification |
Verification is the beginning of profile management, not the end. Once your profile is verified, the priorities are to make sure the business information is complete and accurate, check categories and services, review hours and special hours, add appropriate photos, and make sure your website and profile present the same business information.
For the next step, see our guide to Google Business Profile Optimization: What to Check First.
If your profile is verified but still does not appear where you expect it, read why your business may not be showing on Google Maps.
The free local business audit looks at your profile, website, reviews, and conversion signals and turns your answers into five priority fixes — a clear starting point instead of guessing.
Run Free Audit →Usually, no. Google automatically determines which verification methods are available for your profile, based on factors like your business type, public information, region, and business hours. You must use the method or methods Google makes available to you.
It depends on the method. For mail, Google says most codes arrive within 14 days. After you complete verification, Google says its review can take up to 5 business days, though it may occasionally take longer. Phone, SMS, and email don’t require waiting for a physical postcard, but the exact process depends on the option Google provides.
Instant verification lets some businesses become verified without entering a separate code. Google says this can happen when your website is verified in Google Search Console and matches your Business Profile, or when you use bulk verification. It is not available for every business.
Yes, if Google offers another method for your profile — such as phone or SMS, email, video, live video call, or instant verification. But if Google only offers mail verification, you can’t simply switch to another method because you prefer it.
Only when Google assigns or requires it for your profile. Some businesses see video as one of several options; others may be required to use it. If Google offers video verification, Google recommends using it when eligible.
Show evidence that confirms where the business operates, what it does, that it’s real, and that you’re authorized to manage it. The exact evidence depends on whether you’re a storefront, service-area, or hybrid business. Do not include sensitive or private information.
An authorized representative can help with the process, but you should never give anyone your verification code. Google explicitly says it will never ask for that code. If an agency manages your profile, use the appropriate profile access and ownership controls rather than sharing verification credentials.
Google may ask a previously verified business to verify again. One reason is that business information has recently changed. If Google asks you to re-verify, follow the process shown on your Business Profile.
Google’s documentation does not state a fixed number of attempts. If Get verified appears again, try the process again, or try another method if one is available.
Verification itself should not be treated as a ranking tactic. It confirms you’re authorized to manage the profile. After verification, focus on profile accuracy, completeness, relevance, and overall local visibility.
Once you own your profile, the work shifts to getting it complete and accurate. Start with our guide to Google Business Profile Optimization: what to check first.
Or, if you’re not sure which part of your local presence needs attention first, run the free local business audit.