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Google decides which verification method your Business Profile can use. You cannot usually switch from video to postcard, phone, or email simply because another option is more convenient. Depending on your business and profile signals, Google may offer recorded video, phone or SMS, email, postcard, live video, or—sometimes—instant verification through a verified website.
Verification confirms that you are authorized to represent and manage the business. It does not guarantee higher rankings, more reviews, traffic, or protection from future reverification, policy action, or suspension.
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Use Google’s current instructions for verification methods and recorded business videos as the final authority, because labels and availability can vary by account, location, device, and business type.
Quick decision guide
- Business video: Record and upload one continuous mobile video of at least 30 seconds.
- Phone or SMS: Answer the call or receive the text, then enter the code.
- Email: Open the displayed email account and follow Google’s instructions.
- Postcard: Request the postcard, wait for the five-digit code, and enter it in your profile.
- Live video call: Chat with Google support and show the business in real time.
- No usable option: Use official Google Business Profile support. Do not create a duplicate listing or invent a verification method.
These options are conditional. Google automatically determines which methods are available and does not guarantee that every business will see every option.
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1. Check whether your business is eligible
Before verifying, classify the business correctly:
- Storefront: Customers visit a real location during business hours. The location should normally have permanent, visible signage.
- Hybrid business: Customers visit the location and the business also travels to or delivers to customers.
- Service-area business: The business travels to customers or delivers to them but does not serve customers at its listed address. Its public address should generally be hidden.
A rented mailing address, mailbox, or ordinary virtual office where the business does not operate is not an eligible business location. A coworking location is only potentially eligible when the business has clear signage, receives customers there during business hours, and is staffed by its own employees. Review Google’s Business Profile eligibility guidelines.
Do not create a storefront listing merely to obtain a visible address if customers do not visit that location. That can lead to verification failure or suspension.
2. Prepare before starting
For every business
- Sign in to the Google Account that manages or claims the profile.
- Confirm that the real-world business name is accurate and matches visible evidence.
- Use a mobile phone that can access the Business Profile.
- Enable location services and grant camera and microphone permissions if requested.
- Use a stable internet connection.
- Keep relevant business evidence available, while protecting private information.
For storefront and hybrid businesses
Prepare to show:
- Street signs, building numbers, landmarks, or neighboring businesses.
- Permanent exterior signage displaying the business name.
- The interior, customer area, or operating area.
- An area or action that only an authorized employee or manager can access, such as a point-of-sale system, kitchen, stockroom, keys, or employee-only area.
For service-area businesses
Prepare to show:
- The operating location or identifiable nearby surroundings.
- Tools, equipment, products, workspace, branded vehicle, or work clothing.
- Evidence of management or authorization, such as opening a branded vehicle, performing a service, or showing a permit, invoice, or utility bill.
Avoid showing bank-account numbers, tax identification numbers, government ID numbers, private customer information, or unrelated people’s faces. Include only the portion of a document needed to establish the business connection.
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3. Recorded business-video verification
Recorded video and live video are different processes. In recorded verification, you create and upload the video yourself. Google says the recording must be unique, unedited, continuous, and at least 30 seconds long. It must be recorded and uploaded through the Business Profile on a mobile device; you cannot record it offline and upload it later.
Exact steps
- On a mobile device, open the Business Profile.
- Tap Get verified.
- If prompted, enter the business phone number and tap Next.
- Select Business video, then tap Next.
- Read the requirements and grant location, camera, and microphone permissions if requested.
- Tap Next, then Start recording.
- Record one continuous video of at least 30 seconds.
- Review it and tap Try again if key evidence is missing.
- Tap Upload video.
A practical filming sequence
This is a useful order for a 30-to-90-second recording:
- Start outside and show the street, building number, or nearby landmark.
- Pan to permanent business signage.
- Enter the premises or show the operating area.
- Demonstrate an employee-only action or show an area requiring authorized access.
- For a service business, show tools, branded equipment, a vehicle, or active work.
- Show non-sensitive documentation only if it is needed to establish authorization.
Do not add music, cuts, transitions, overlays, artificial logos, screen recordings, or stitched clips. The business name visible in the recording should match the Business Profile name.
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After uploading
Google says review can take up to five business days. If the video is rejected, open the Business Profile on mobile, tap Review issues, read the stated problem, and record a replacement that includes the previous evidence plus whatever was missing.
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Common problems include an invisible business name, no nearby location evidence, or no proof that the person filming manages or represents the business. A rejection does not mean you should create another listing; correct the evidence and resubmit through the existing profile.
4. Phone or SMS verification
Use this method only if Google displays it.
- Open the Business Profile.
- Select Get verified.
- Choose Phone or SMS.
- Answer the call or open the text message.
- Enter the code in the profile.
The number must be accessible to the business. An interactive voice-response system may not receive the code. If phone or SMS is not displayed, you generally cannot force Google to offer it.
5. Email verification
If Google offers email verification:
- Open the Business Profile and select Get verified.
- Choose Email.
- Confirm that the displayed email address is accessible.
- Open Google’s email and follow its instructions.
A company-domain email may help associate the account with the business, but it does not guarantee that Google will offer email verification.
6. Postcard verification and the five-digit code
Request the postcard
- Open the Business Profile.
- Select Get verified.
- Choose Postcard.
- Confirm that the mailing address is correct.
- Request the code.
While waiting
- Most postcards arrive within 14 days, but that is an estimate rather than a guarantee.
- Do not edit the business name, address, or category while waiting.
- Do not request another code unless instructed. A new request invalidates the previous code.
- Codes expire after 30 days.
Enter the code
- Open the Business Profile.
- Find the Code field.
- Enter the five-digit code.
- Select Submit.
Keep the code private. Google says it will never ask anyone to share the verification code. Do not give it to an agency, marketer, caller, or another person claiming to manage the profile.
If the code fails
- Confirm that you opened the correct profile and Google Account.
- Check whether a later postcard request replaced the code.
- Confirm that the code has not expired.
- Do not repeatedly request new codes.
- Confirm that you did not change the name, address, or category during the process.
- Contact official Business Profile support if the postcard does not arrive or the profile remains unverified.
7. Live video-call verification
Live video is a real-time support call, not an uploaded recording. It is available only to some businesses and only during the location’s associated business hours.
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- Open the Business Profile.
- Select Get verified.
- Choose Live video call, then Next.
- Select a language.
- Select Start call to begin text chat with support.
- Follow the representative’s instructions to join the video call.
- Show the location, operations, and proof of management through the camera.
Have the same evidence ready as for recorded video: nearby location identifiers, signage where applicable, operating areas, tools or equipment, and proof of authorized access.
8. Instant verification through Search Console
Google says instant verification can sometimes occur when the business has verified its website with Google Search Console. This is a possibility, not a universal workaround that every owner can activate. If Google does not present instant verification, use the method shown in the Business Profile.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. Troubleshooting common failures
The video was rejected
Read Review issues rather than submitting an unrelated clip. Re-record one continuous video that clearly shows the nearby area, business name, operating evidence, and authorized access. Keep sensitive information out of frame.
The business has no permanent exterior sign
Do not create a temporary sign solely for verification. A business without permanent signage may not qualify to display a storefront address and may need to operate as a service-area business if it meets Google’s rules.
The business is home-based
A home-based plumber, cleaner, consultant, or contractor may qualify as a service-area business when it makes in-person contact with customers. If customers do not visit the home, hide the public address and show genuine operating evidence without unnecessarily exposing the private residence.
The business uses a coworking space
A coworking address is not automatically eligible. The business must meet Google’s conditions for signage, customer access during business hours, and staffing by its own employees.
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The postcard never arrived
Allow the stated delivery window before taking action, check that the address is accurate, and use official support if it does not arrive. Avoid changing core profile details or repeatedly requesting new postcards.
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Do not create duplicate listings or change key information impulsively. Save confirmation emails, screenshots, video-review notices, and support case numbers, then contact official Business Profile support.
The profile was suspended after verification
Verification does not override Google’s eligibility and content rules. Review the profile for address, name, duplicate-listing, and business-model problems, then use Google’s official suspension appeal process rather than trying to verify a replacement listing.
10. Agency and employee access
An employee or agency may help record evidence, but third-party involvement does not bypass Google’s requirements. The person filming should be able to demonstrate that they manage or represent the business. The owner should coordinate the evidence and remain available for follow-up.
Never give a third party a postcard verification code. Use Google’s profile access roles instead of sharing passwords.
Verification safety checklist
- Use only the verification option Google displays.
- Never share a postcard, phone, or SMS verification code.
- Do not pay a caller who claims payment will unlock or guarantee verification.
- Do not use a virtual office, mailbox, or rented address where the business does not operate.
- Do not create duplicate profiles for the same location.
- Do not keyword-stuff the business name.
- Do not film tax numbers, bank details, government ID numbers, or private customer information.
- Use official Google Business Profile support when the process loops or fails.
Does verification require paid software?
No. Google provides the verification flow and support resources at no charge. Tools such as BrightLocal or Semrush Local may be useful later for rank tracking, listing management, reviews, reporting, or multiple locations, but they cannot override eligibility rules or force Google to provide a particular verification method.
For one location and a one-time verification, Google’s free tools are generally sufficient. Consider paid management software only when you have an ongoing local-SEO, multi-location, or agency-management need. Check current vendor pricing directly because plans and prices change.
Quick Recap
Final checklist
- Classify the business as storefront, hybrid, or service-area.
- Confirm that the address and business model comply with Google’s guidelines.
- Open the profile and use the verification option Google provides.
- For video, prepare location, business, operations, and authorization evidence.
- Record one continuous, unedited mobile video of at least 30 seconds.
- For a postcard, wait for the five-digit code without changing core details or requesting another code.
- Keep every verification code private.
- Save notices and support case numbers if verification fails or loops.
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