How to Verify Your Google Business 

The purpose of verification is straightforward: Since anyone can claim a Business Profile, Google must ensure the person claiming the business is the rightful owner or manager. To achieve this, Google introduced a verification process.  Verifying your listing makes it possible for customers to discover your listing in Google Search, create posts, view performance insights, and respond to customer reviews.

Given that every business is unique, Google offers multiple methods to verify your GBP, such as:

• Phone or text
• Video
• Email

What Does a Verified GMB Look Like?

A verified Google Business Profile displays a blue checkmark badge and the text "You manage this Business Profile" beneath the business name, showing that Google has confirmed the profile as a genuine representation of the business.

Keep in mind that only the manager of this verified profile, and only when logged into their account, can see this tick. 

Check if Your Business Needs Verification

Use your business profile manager to check if your business needs verification. It’s best to use this if you manage multiple profiles/locations. To use business profile manager, go to  https://www.google.com/intl/en_in/business/ or search Google Business Profile on Google search to visit the site.

You can also use this tool from Google. Just sign in with your Google account and choose the business you want to check to see its verification status.

Email Verification

Before clicking “Verify now”, make sure that the email displayed on the verification screen is correct and that you have access to it.

Google will then send an email with a verification code and an activation link. Click that link, pop the code into the space on the next page, and hit “Verify.”

Follow These Steps:

1. Open your Google Business Profile
   
   

2. Choose the location you wish to verify (if multiple locations)
   
   
3. Click Get Verified
   
   
4. Select the Email option
   
   
5. Enter the email address
   
   
6. Open your inbox and find the email from your Google Business Profile.
   
   
7. A verification code and a link to the GBP page where you can activate it are both included in it.

Phone Verification

You can either choose to receive a phone call or a text message. Make sure to use your actual phone number, as you must be able to answer calls directly or receive texts.

Follow These Steps:

1. Open your Google Business Profile
   
   
2. Choose the location you wish to verify (if multiple locations)
   
   
3. Click Get Verified
   
   
4. Choose language
   
   
5. Select the preferred verification method: Phone or SMS
   
   
6. Answer the call or open the SMS to get the code
   
   
7.  Google will send you a 5-digit code that you need to enter in the code field.

Video Verification

Video Verification is one of the most comprehensive methods and is used to confirm your access to the premises you are claiming as your business address. 

Make sure you already have:

• The opening hours of the store.
• Nice photos of the store from the outside, with different angles. 

Follow These Steps:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile (Sign in to the same Google Account you use to sign into your Business Profile).

   
   
2. To access your Business Profile, in the Google Maps app , at the bottom right, tap Business
   
   
3. Choose the location you wish to verify (if multiple locations) and select "Get Verified"
   
   
   
   
   
4. The verification options Google provides are flexible and based on the details in your Google Business Profile. (e.g. if your profile lacks a public address or website, then Google won't provide an email or video for verification)
   
   
   
   
5. Fill in the necessary information according what is required. For the address, sometimes it will show that it does not recognise the address.
   
   
   
6. When you reach the recording page, please prepare to record all the way to the store. You have up to 5 minutes recording time, and a minimum of 2 minutes video is ideal to submit.

Your video should include the following:

Your Current Location:

• Nearby businesses or the area around your business
• Signage from the outside of the building 
• Your address on the door, building, or signage 
• The street sign (if it's close enough to capture before you film the front door)
• If within a mall, start recording from the front of the mall, where the mall name sign is obvious. Record all the way to the store, ideally pointing upwards so all the neighbours signboards are visible, avoiding to show faces of people as well.

Business Equipment:

• Inside of the store
• Business equipment at the location 
• Stock for sale
  
• Tools you use to serve your customers 
• Marketing materials (business cards, flyers, branded products like pens, coffee mugs, etc)

Proof of Access or Management:

• Unlocking the business entrance 
• Logging into a point-of-sale system 
• Operating a payment tool 
• Operating some equipment that only an owner or manager could operate
• The store’s license and any other official letters, make sure that it is clear.
  
  

You don’t need to show Google any sensitive information; you can keep that off-camera.

7. Once all is recorded, and you’ve recorded at least 2 minutes, please submit by press the submit button.

8. You will then be taken to a page to fill in the opening hours of the stores. Please fill in accordingly.

9. Next, please put in a description of your business in the field required.

10. After that, you will then be taken to a page to “Add photos of your business”. 

and you're done! Kindly wait till you're verified :)

Optional: 

Once verified, you can delete the video from Google’s servers. Go to your Google Business Profile > More > Advanced Settings > Video Uploads > Delete Videos.