When you verify your business, you can check that your business information is accurate and that you’re the only one who can access it. You must verify your business before you can edit your business information on Google products, like your business name.
Important: As a precaution in light of COVID-19, we're operating with a limited team. It may take longer than usual to connect with us. We recommend our Help Community and YouTube Channel. Thank you for your patience.
Guidelines
- Before you start the verification process, create or claim a Google My Business profile.
- Most local businesses verify by post. However, some businesses, like service area businesses, have other options like verification by email, phone, or Search Console.
- After you have verified your business, we may ask you to review your information and make any final changes.
- It may take a few weeks for your business information to display across Google. Once your info is live, you can check it out in your Business Profile. To find your profile, search for your business name and city in Google Search or Maps and view your results. Keep in mind that search results vary for many reasons and the results displayed for you may not be the same as for someone else. Find out how Google ranks local results.
Verify a business by post
To avoid unnecessary delays:
- Make sure that your address complies with our address entry guidelines.
- While you wait for your verification postcard:
- Do not edit your business name, address or category.
- Do not request a new code.
Get your postcard
The postcard includes a unique verification code specifically for your business. You must enter this code to confirm that your business is located at the listed address.
Important: Most postcards arrive within 14 days. Due to COVID-19, you may experience delays.
- On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
- Choose the business that you want to verify, then click Verify now.
- On the postcard request screen, make sure that your address is displayed accurately.
- To help deliver your postcard, you can also add an optional contact name.
- Request the postcard.
Enter your verification code
Verification codes expire after 30 days. If you update your business address, only the code you requested for your current address is valid.
Each verification code you receive is unique to your business account and the particular location for which you requested verification.
Keep your code secure
Important: Google will not call you to ask for a verification code.
Do not share your verification code with anyone. This includes third parties that help manage your business on Google, like an SEO or marketing firm. Your code is unique to your business account and you should be the only who uses it. If you share management of your business’s profile with a trusted third party:
- Verify your profile and personally enter your verification code.
- After you complete verification, you can add and remove owners and managers for your business. Then, you can transfer ownership of the profile to a third party.
Verify your code
- After you get your postcard, on your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
- Choose the business you want to verify.
- From the menu, click Verify location.
- Alternatively, click Verify now.
- In the 'Code' field, enter the five-digit verification code from your postcard.
- Submit the code.
Verify a business by phone
If your business is eligible for phone verification:
- On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
- Choose the business you want to verify.
- Go to Verify
Click on your phone number.
- To get your verification code, make sure you can directly answer your business phone number or receive texts.
- Enter the code from the automated message or text.
Click on your phone number.If you can’t find this option, verify your business by mail instead.
Verify a business by email
Important: Before you try to verify your business by email, make sure you can access the email address in the verification screen.
If your business is eligible for email verification:
- On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
- Choose the business you want to verify.
- Go to Verify.
- From the list, select Email.
- Follow the instructions in the verification email you receive.
If you don’t find this option, use another verification method.
Other verification methods
Instantly verify a business
If you've already verified your business's website with Google Search Console, you can verify your business instantly.
For instant verification, make sure that you’re signed in to Google My Business with the same email account you used to verify your site with Search Console. Some business categories may not be eligible for instant verification.Bulk verification
Verification after information changes
To maintain high-quality business information, Google may sometimes ask previously verified businesses to verify again. This process can be triggered by a change in the information you’ve given us about your business.
To re-verify your business, follow the instructions in GMB.
