How Do You Verify A Google My Business Listing?

Story Based Question

Let’s say you’ve just opened a brand new boutique called Chic Finds in your city. You’ve claimed your Google My Business (GMB) profile and are excited to start attracting local customers. But there’s one hurdle left: Google wants to verify your business to make sure it’s legitimate. You’re now wondering, “How do I verify my GMB listing so that Chic Finds can start showing up in local search results and on Google Maps?”

Exact Answer

To verify your Google My Business (GMB) listing, you usually need to choose a verification method (most commonly a postcard sent to your business address) and enter the verification code you receive.

Explanation

Verifying your GMB listing is an important step that ensures your business appears in local search results and on Google Maps. Google requires verification to confirm that the business is real and that you are the owner or authorized manager. The process is straightforward but varies slightly depending on the method Google offers you.

Here’s how to verify your business:

1. Claim Your GMB Listing: If you haven’t done so already, you need to claim your business by logging into your Google account and filling in your business details, such as your name, address, phone number, and category.
2. Choose a Verification Method: Google will offer several verification methods, but the most common are:
   • Postcard by Mail: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to the business address you listed. This usually takes 5-14 days to arrive. Once you receive it, log into your GMB account and enter the code to verify your business.
   • Phone Verification: In some cases, Google may offer verification by phone. If eligible, you’ll receive a phone call with a verification code that you’ll enter on your GMB profile.
   • Email Verification: Sometimes, Google allows verification via email. If this option is available, you’ll receive a message with a verification code to enter.
   • Instant Verification: If you’ve already verified your website with Google Search Console, you might be eligible for instant verification. This is an option Google sometimes offers to trusted businesses.
   • Video or Live Verification: For certain businesses, Google may ask for video verification or a live video call to confirm your identity. This is more common for businesses that are harder to verify via traditional methods.
3. Enter the Verification Code: Once you receive the verification code (via postcard, phone, or email), log in to your GMB account and enter the code when prompted. After submitting, your business will be verified and eligible to show up in local search results.
4. Final Steps: Once verified, you can start optimizing your GMB profile by adding photos, business hours, and other details to make your listing more appealing and informative.

Example

Let’s return to Chic Finds, your boutique. You’ve already filled in all the details for your GMB profile, but Google needs to confirm that your business is legitimate. You’re eligible for the postcard verification method.

Here’s what you do:

1. You fill in all the details for Chic Finds (name, address, phone, website) on your GMB profile.
2. Google tells you a postcard will be mailed to your business address, which will include a verification code.
3. The postcard arrives in about a week with a code that looks like “123456.”
4. You log in to your GMB profile and enter the code to verify your business.
5. Now, Chic Finds is officially verified, and when someone searches for “boutique near me,” your business can show up in local search results.