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Today we’re delving deep into the world of Google Business Profiles, formerly known as Google My Business. If you aim to get your business ranking and showing up in the map section of Google’s search results, verifying your business profile with Google is essential. But, if you’re struggling with the process—especially the verification step—then this guide will equip you with all the information you need.
The Importance of a Google-Approved Address
The first thing to understand about Google Business Profile verification is the importance of having an address that Google approves of. The address you list on your profile has a direct impact on whether or not Google will verify your business.
Based on our extensive experience with clients, we’ve identified ten address scenarios, ranked from best to worst, for Google Map 3-Pack ranking:
- Commercial addresses: Google prefers legitimate commercial addresses where customers can visit.
- Offices with signage: Google likes offices that feature signage with your logo, branding, and phone number.
- Residential addresses: While not as favorable as a commercial address, home addresses are acceptable. You can hide the address for privacy reasons and still achieve rankings.
- Apartments: Though getting apartments ranked on Google can be challenging, they can still be utilized for verification.
- Offices or warehouses without signage: Google frowns upon these as it often casts doubt on the legitimacy of your business location.
- Virtual or shared offices: Google does not approve of businesses using an address already occupied by another business.
- Addresses of other businesses: A significant no-no is using an address that clearly belongs to a different business type. For instance, a carpet cleaning business shouldn’t use a dental practice’s address.
- Local mailbox services: These are not ideal as Google prefers businesses to have a physical location.
- UPS stores: Similar to local mailbox services, Google doesn’t appreciate addresses that are clearly not business locations.
- PO boxes: The easiest for Google to shoot down, it’s recommended to never use a PO box for business verification.
Above all, ensure you adhere to Google’s guidelines and avoid any attempts to game the system. If you’re in it for the long haul, being genuine and truthful with your information will serve you best.
Verifying Your Business with Google: The Process Explained
The process of verifying your business with Google involves three common methods: postcard, phone call, and video verification.
1. Postcard Verification: The most prevalent method. Google sends a postcard to your listed address, usually arriving within one to three weeks. The postcard contains a verification code, which you enter on google.com/verifymybusiness to complete the verification process.
2. Phone Verification: In rare cases, Google allows businesses to verify through a phone call. This method is usually offered to businesses Google trusts.
3. Video Verification: Google offers video verification for businesses that struggle with the postcard method or lack the option for phone verification. This process involves a walkthrough of your business location, either live or pre-recorded, demonstrating to Google that your business is indeed located where you say it is.
An Insider Trick: Direct Request for Video Verification
Should all else fail, and Google doesn’t offer video verification as an option, you can request it directly from Google. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to support.google.com/business/gethelp.
- Select your business and type “verify” in the “What can we help you with?” box.
- Click “Fix postcard issue.”
- Fill out the subsequent forms and specifically request video verification in the “Tell us more” section.
While this method is a bit lengthy and doesn’t guarantee success, it has worked for many of our clients. It’s a resourceful tool to use when other options seem out of reach.
Conclusion: Be Legitimate, Be Verified
Verifying your business with Google not only legitimizes your online presence but also sets the stage for optimizing your Google Business Profile—a topic that deserves its own dedicated discussion. Ensuring your business adheres to Google’s guidelines and verification methods can significantly enhance your business’s visibility on Google and the overall success of your SEO efforts.
I hope you found this guide insightful. For more in-depth instructions and insights, don’t forget to download our free Google My Business Cheat Sheet from the link in the description. This document outlines all the steps we use to optimize a business’s presence on Google, complete with video links for further learning. Stay tuned for more content on SEO, digital marketing, and sales copywriting. We’re here to help you succeed in the ever-changing digital landscape.
