How to claim and verify your Business Profile on Google
Key take-aways
Business Profile on Google is a free business listing from Google My Business that helps you stand out when users are looking for businesses like yours on Google Search or Google Maps. Learn how to claim and verify your profile so you can manage the information that potential customers see there.
1. Why should I claim and verify my Business Profile?
2. How do I create or claim my Business Profile on Google?
3. How do I verify my Business Profile on Google?
Make sure the address shown is the exact street address for your business, including any floor or building numbers and avoid unofficial information such as "on the crossroads".
1. Why should I claim and verify my Business Profile?
A Business Profile on Google is a fast, free and convenient way for users to find you online. It shows important information like your business name, logo, address and phone number. You can also use your profile to show helpful information like changes to your opening hours – over Christmas, for example – and start conversations with users by responding to reviews.
First, however, you'll need to create or claim your profile, then verify it. You can also then choose and claim a short name and URL so users can easily find you in Google Maps. This process puts you in control of the information people see about your business across Google Search and Google Maps.
Service-area businesses:
A service-area business is a business that doesn't serve customers at its own address, for example, instead of being a cafe-owner with a bricks-and-mortar cafe, you run a delivery service.
2. How can I create or claim my Business Profile on Google?
The first step to creating or claiming your Business Profile on Google is to search for your company on Google. If a Business Profile doesn't appear, you should create one. If a Business Profile on Google already exists (which sometimes happens when Google aggregates information from third parties), you should claim it to make sure the details are correct and complete. A profile could also already exist if someone else owns it, in which case you will have to request ownership of it.
Creating a profile
To create a Business Profile on Google, sign into your Google Account. If you don't already have an account, you can easily create one.
Next, go to the Google My Business website and click "Start Now". Type in the name and address of your business and enter a phone number or website address when asked. You may also be asked to move a marker to show its location on a map.
Choose a business category from the menu, and if you are a service-area business like a gardener, you will be asked if you would like your business address to show on Google Maps. If you do not accept customers at your physical location, or do not have a shopfront, you should select 'No, I prefer not to'. From there, you can choose to show the region you serve instead of your business address. Then highlight the areas you are willing to travel to for customers, by either postcode or city name. Click 'Continue' to finish creating your profile and then move onto the verification step.
You can also create a profile through the Google My Business mobile app, but if you want to add details like service area, you should create it using desktop instead.
Claiming a Business Profile
To claim an existing profile, sign into Google My Business on either desktop or the mobile app using your Google Account and click "Add your business" to edit the details. Then select your business category and whether or not you deliver goods or services. If you serve an area rather than operating from premises, you can also add the region you serve.
Lastly, read and agree to the terms and conditions and click "Continue" to move on to verification. If your business appears on Google Maps, you can also claim it here by tapping on "Claim this business" in the business information panel.
3. How do I verify my Business Profile on Google?
To ensure that only genuine representatives of a business are able to manage and edit a Business Profile on Google, you'll be required to verify that you own or are responsible for the business before your changes go live and you can begin sharing posts and official photos (labelled "From the owner").
Verifying your profile is a two-step process. Make sure you don't change any of your business information before the final step as this may result in delays. There are several options for completing verification:
Verify by postcard
Google will send you a postcard through the mail with a verification code that you enter on the Google My Business website. To request the card, sign into Google My Business and click "Verify Now" on a computer or "Send Postcard" in the app.
Make sure the address shown is the exact street address for your business, including any floor or building numbers and avoid unofficial information such as "on the crossroads". If the address shown is wrong, make changes before clicking "Verify Now" or "Send Postcard". You can also choose to add an "Optional contact name" to help your card reach you. Your card should take no more than 14 days to arrive. If a card hasn't arrived after 14 days, login and click "Request another code".
Once your card arrives, sign into Google My Business again, choose the Business Profile you want to complete and click "Verify Now" on desktop or "Enter code" in the app. If you have more than one location, check you have selected the right one and click "Verify location". Enter the 5-digit code from your postcard and submit. You have now verified your Business Profile on Google.
Verify by phone
Some businesses may be able to verify their profile by phone. If this is the case, the option to "Verify by phone" will show up automatically when you request verification. If it doesn't, follow the postcard process described above instead.
To verify by phone, you should be able to answer your business phone number when you click on "Verify now". An automated message will tell you your code, and you'll be prompted to enter it on the Google My Business website.
On the Google My Business app, click "Call me now". An automated message will provide the code, which you should enter into the app, then click the arrow symbol. You have now verified your Business Profile on Google.
Verify by email
A limited number of businesses will be able to verify by email. Sign into Google My Business on a computer and click "Verify Now". If you see this option, choose "Email" from the list. Check your email account and either click "Verify Now" in the message or enter the code from the email into Google My Business.
If you are using the app and the option appears, choose "Send email" and then enter the code you receive then click "Submit". You have now verified your Business Profile on Google.
If the email option is not displayed, you'll need to choose an alternative verification option.
Verify instantly using Google Search Console
If you are registered with Google Search Console and sign into Google My Business with the same email account, you may be able to verify your profile instantly. Signing up for Google Search Console helps you monitor how well your website is doing in Google Search, allowing you to use those insights to improve your content, so your website performs even better on the search results page.
For example, a clothing retailer may want to add its pop-up shop business listing to Google Maps. With its website already registered with Google Search Console and a linked email address, the business owner can verify their new Google My Business profile immediately and start adding images and reviews to capture more potential customers.
Business Profile on Google gives you the chance to show your business to potential customers at no extra cost. Taking the time to claim and verify your business listing helps you make the most of that opportunity — so get started today.