Google My Business Verification Guide

Let us give it to you straight, Google will ultimately decide what other ways you can verify, so every other verification method is gonna be dependent on what Google provides your listing outside of the postcard.

Overview

One of the most important pieces in your local SEO toolkit is your Google My Business profile. Most local businesses verify by mail. Some businesses, like service area businesses, have other verification options, like verification by email, phone, or Search Console. Let us give it to you straight, Google will ultimately decide what other ways you can verify, so every other verification method is gonna be dependent on what Google provides your listing outside of the postcard.

Different Verification Methods

Mail

This is typically the easiest way for a listing to verify if the building is accepting mail at their location. Follow the steps below to use a computer to request a verification postcard:

  • Sign in to Google My Business.

  • Choose the business you’d like to verify, then click Verify now.

  • On the postcard request screen, make sure that your address is displayed accurately. If it isn’t, edit the address before you request your letter. You can also add an Optional contact name to help us get your postcard to you.

  • Click Send postcard.

  • Check the mail for your postcard. Most postcards arrive within 14 days. Do not edit your business name, address, or category, or request a new code while you’re waiting. This may delay the verification process.

To enter the verification code after you get your postcard, follow these steps:

  • Sign in to Google My Business.

  • If you have multiple locations, open the location you’d like to manage.

  • Click Verify location from the menu, or click the Verify now button.

  • In the Code field, enter the 5-digit verification code from your postcard.

  • Click Submit.

If you didn’t get a postcard, you can always request a new one to be sent to your property. Below is an example of what this postcard will look like. It can look a little spammy so it’s important that the onsite team know what it will look like so it doesn’t accidentally get thrown away.


Google My Business Postcard Example

Google My Business Postcard Example

Google Search Console

This verification method is not guaranteed for listings like the postcard but might potentially be a verification option. This is another fast and easy way for a location to verify their listing.

If you’ve already verified your business’s website with Google Search Console, you may be able to verify your listing instantly. To verify your business listing instantly, make sure you’re signed in to Google My Business with the same email account you used to verify your site with Search Console. If the email that is attached to both the Google Search Console is the same as Google My Business it may auto-verify the business listing if the admins of both accounts line up. It is important to note that some business categories may not be eligible for instant verification. If you own a new business or one that barely has any online presence, it’s unlikely that you can get your business verified instantly. In such cases, sending the postcard is the best way for Google to check your business.

Email

Not all businesses can verify their listing by email. If you don’t see this option, try another verification method. Before trying to verify your listing by email, make sure you can access the email address that is shown in the verification screen (see screenshot below). To verify a business by email, follow the steps below:

  • If you return to verify after you create your listing, go to Google My Business, choose the business you’d like to verify, and click Verify now.

  • Click Email from the list of verification options.

  • Check your email.

  • Click the Verify button in the verification email. (You can also enter the code from the email in your Google My Business dashboard.)


email_verification.png

Photo

While this method is an option to verify a listing, it is important to note that this verification process does take longer as we have to manually reach out to the Google My Business Support team and must be able to provide the photos they are requesting to verify the listing. We would recommend trying the previous verification methods before starting the photo verification method. Below is a list of the images that are required to verify the location’s listing (even missing one of the images will result in the location not being able to be verified).

  • Storefront pictures

  • Photos of the building’s signage

  • Interior office space pictures

  • Photo of the buildings entrance/signage

Again, we have seen in previous attempts using this verification method that even missing one of the images above can result in the listing remaining unverified.

Make sure to check out the GMB support contact page for more help on getting your listing verified or hit up the Digible SEO team, we’d love to help!

Related Posts

Test. Discover. Transform.

World-class support to help your multifamily property work smarter.

Show Me How To...

Contact Us
Show me how to....