Passing The Google Business Profile Video Verification Process
One of the most stressful situations a business owner can handle is going through the Google Business Profile Video Verification process but it does not have to be. Most owners get it wrong because they don’t know what Google is looking for. Here are some easy steps to take in order to avoid a video verification failure.
First its important to remember that a video verification must prove three things to the Google Business Profile Support Team.
- Location of your business
- Your business has the required equipment
- You manage/own the business
All of this must be done in a single, continuous shot with no edits. At MarketKeep when we have had to coach our clients through the video verification process we have told them that the video can be no longer than two minutes long.
Keep in mind that in order to complete this video you must be logged into your GBP profile on your phone since it gets directly uploaded to Google from your phone so be sure to plan ahead!
Tips for Passing the Google Business Profile Video Verification Process
Record the Video In One Continuous Take. Your video must be recorded in one continuous take. Do not edit or try to combine clips. Google wants to see an authentic recording.
Do Not Prioritize Talking. While we cannot confirm nor deny, talking during the video most likely does not help. In a recent Reddit AMA thread within LocalSEO, Brad Wetherall, a former executive at Google said “You don’t need to talk through the video. The agents reviewing these videos don’t even have speakers on their computers, so any audio in the video will not be heard. It is much more important to show than to tell.”
You Have A Much Better Chance of Verifying With a Work Email Address. One of the most common reasons a Google Business Profile Video Verification fails is because of the email address associated with the profile. A regular gmail account does not prove to Google that you are affiliated with the business and it can raise some red flags so make sure to do the following:
- Use a branded email like team@yourbusiness.com
- Make sure the account has a history of managing listings, edits made, and an ownership level in your Google Search Console Account.
Our 9 Recommendations for a Successful Google Business Profile Video Verification
Once you understand what Google is looking for, it becomes much easier to successfully pass.
Keep in mind that every successful Google Business Profile video verification comes down to the following:
- Your Location
- Operations
- Affiliation
- Credibility
Basically Google wants to verify that you are who you say you are and they want you to back it up.
Here is our complete checklist you can use in order to pass a GBP Video Verification on the first try. Keep in mind that this process can range depending on whether you own a storefront business or you operate a service radius based business. Which is why we provide directions for each.
Step 1: Show the Area Around Your Business
Start your video by showing the area outside your business or nearby surroundings. This can include street signs, intersections, nearby businesses, or building numbers.
- Storefront Businesses – Start outside your store
- Businesses in Buildings – Show this via a window in your office
- Service Radius Businesses – Show this either outside your home or via a window from your home office
At MarketKeep we would want to showcase the businesses in our immediate area. So directly across the street is a music recording studio called Music Space. On the street level of our office building is a retail store called Rosebud Flea Market, and the closest intersection is York Road and West Chesapeake Ave.
Step 2: Show Permanent Signage To Prove Location. For Some Businesses This Means The “Elevator Hack”
If you have a storefront clearly show your signage. Take your time! Acceptable formats include:
- A storefront Sign
- Door Sign
- Building Directory
Make sure that the business name matches your profile.
If your office is in a six-story building like ours is here at MarketKeep use your windows. This is called the Elevator Hack. From your window zoom in and show Google things such as:
- Street signs
- Intersections
- Recognizable Landmarks
This helps you to show your location without risking signal issues that can arise from going into an elevator. It also helps because you only have two minutes (our recommendation) to record the video itself.
Step 2 applies to both storefronts and service area businesses.
For step 2 our video would highlight the building directory located in the lobby as well as the directory sign to the left of our main door.
Step 3: Show Your Workspace and Where The Magic Happens
Show the place where your business operates. This can be your office, shop, job site, or home workspace.
If you are a service area business make sure to show your garage or home office space.
For step 3 at Marketkeep we would walk them through our office space where a majority of the team meets and performs their work. Here is a picture of that space.
Step 4: Show Tools, Equipment, or Inventory
Make sure part of your video includes the tools or materials you need to do your work. This helps to prove that the business is active.
If you are a roofer show them your trucks and roofing equipment. A plumber should show them their van and plumbing supplies. If you are an accountant then you would want to show your desk, computers and meeting area.
For service area businesses this definitely means showing them the tools, equipment, and vehicles required to perform your job.
With this step all you are doing is proving to Google that you are operating your business out of this location.
As a digital marketing agency in Towson, MD this one is tricky since we don’t really have tools in the traditional sense like a plumber or roofer would. But we have our computers, so we would show off those!
Step 5: Show Branded Assets
In our experience, we have also had GBP profile successfully verified when we show the following items in videos:
- Branded uniforms
- Vehicles with company name
- Equipment
- Marketing materials (Brochures, business cards, etc)
This is critical for service area businesses since they act as your storefront.
Brand assets are an important factor. So for us at MarketKeep we would show them our company sign located in the foyer or waiting area of our business suite.
Step 6: Open Your Vehicle or Equipment
This mainly applies to service-based businesses but whether a service business uses a physical location or is a service area business show Google your vehicle. Open your vehicle and show them the interior.
Open the trunk or truck bed and show them some of the tools you take onsite. This is one of the strongest ways to prove to Google that your business exists in the real world.
Again we are a digital marketing agency, so we don’t really have company vehicles. So here is a picture we had to take of our client who was highlighting their company vehicle!
Step 7: Prove You Can Access The Location
Sounds silly we know, but show you have control over the business location.
- For storefront locations unlock the door and enter
- For service area businesses unlock your vehicle or access secured equipment
For MarketKeep we would show the Google Business Profile Support team ourselves unlocking the main entrance to the office building.
Step 8: Show Official Business Documents
Another strong approach is to have official business documents ready to be showcased on a desk or table. This can include items such as your business license or tax registration.
As part of our video verification process we would walk to a desk inside our office building that showed Google our Business License, Tax Certificate, Lease Agreement, Utility Invoice, Bill, or a Marketing Flyer that had our company name, telephone number, and street address on it.
Step 9: Show Access to Business Systems
An added bonus can be showing industry-specific software. Examples can include:
- A CRM Software
- Quickbooks
- Contractor Portal
Showing access to industry-specific software is a massive extra credit signal to Google.
As an additional precaution we would also show them access to our company CRM, Quickbooks Account, or other piece of information further proving our validity as a business.
Initiating the Google Business Profile Video Verification Process
Now that you have your checklist complete and completed a dry run its time to start the video verification process. To do this, navigate to your Google Business Profile on your mobile device.
Please note a successful Video Verification Process requires you to record your video on your smartphone.
Your mobile device might ask you to allow Google Maps to access your location, camera, and microphone. Be sure that you grant access otherwise it will not work.
You must also be signed into Google Maps with the same account that you use to manage your Google Business Profile.
Once logged in on your mobile device follow these instructions:
- Tap “Get Verified and then “Capture Video”
- Tap “Start Recording”. Follow the steps and record your video.
- Once your record is complete, tap “Stop Recording” and then “Upload Video”.
This is where most business owners get it wrong. They try to pre-record their verification video. Google does not allow pre-recorded video verification videos.
Instead to successfully complete a Google Business Profile Video Verification you must record and upload your video on location. It must be done in real time as well.
Waiting for GBP to Verify Your Video
Once you have successfully filmed and submitted your video you just have to wait. Google will review your verification video within 5 to 7 business days.
The key is to be patient! Do not try to speed up the process by uploading another video or submitting a support ticket. This could derail your process.
If your video is accepted your profile will become verified and you will receive a notification from the Google Support Team. It is still recommended that you wait an additional 24 to 48 hours before making any further changes or adjustments.
If your video is rejected you may be notified but it’s unlikely. Instead continue to check your profile daily. You may see something like this. This is an indication that the video was rejected.
Here are three common scenarios to expect if your video was not verified the first time.
- If you find a “Review Issues” warning , your video was rejected by Google and they are letting you know why. Click on the warning to learn why your video verification failed and correct the mistakes in your next attempt.
- If you find a “Get Verified Button” but do not have an opportunity to learn why your video failed the first time you just have to try again. Make sure to revisit steps 1-9 in this blog article to make sure you did not miss anything.
- If you find a “Get Verified Button” but you do not have an option to record a video, Google support is looking for you to verify your business via an alternative method.
- If you no longer have any option to verify your business you are being directed to the Google Support Team where you need to speak with their team directly.
If your video has been under review for more than 7 to 8 business days something is wrong. Use the verification status tool to contact the Google Business Profile support team.
Using the Google Business Profile Verification Troubleshooting Tool
If you find yourself stuck (most small business owners do) use Google’s Verification status support tool for GBP profiles.
It is important that when visiting this website that you are logged into the email account that manages your Google Business Profile. Once you have confirmed that you are in the right email account select the business you wish to contact them about and click through the prompts until you find the Contact Us Link.
This link takes you to a contact form where you will be routed to the Google Business Profile support team. After explaining your situation in detail, they will be notified and will begin working on your case.
How Do I know If My Google Business Profile is Verified? You Get the Blue Checkmark On Your Profile
We are more than three quarters of the way through this article and we never addressed how to know if your business is verified! It’s the blue checkmark icon that you will see when you are in the backend of your Google Business Profile of course.
This blue checkmark will be visible in your Google Business Profile dashboard and appear next to your logo like so.
But Why Do Google Business Profile Verifications Fail in the First Place?
There are a few pretty common reasons as to why they fail.
- Your business name, address, or phone number does not match across your website, local citations, or supporting documents in your video.
- The address that you provided is incomplete, inaccurate or does not align with what Google expects for your type of business.
- Your business name includes unnecessary keywords, extra promotional language, or does not match your real-world name.
- Your video verification does not clearly show your location, signage, business operations, or proof that you actually manage the business.
- Your Google Business Profile is missing clear photos of your office, signage team, and or actual business activities.
- There are duplicate profiles for your business on Google which can lead to confusion, conflicts, and ultimately rejections.
- Your profile has been flagged because you constantly change your business name, address, or other important information.
- You are using a PO box, virtual address, or mailbox store which goes against Google’s Guidelines for profiles in good standing.
- Google cannot verify your profile or company via third party websites like Yelp, Facebook, or other local citations where you can list your business name, address, and phone number.
- Your profile has been rejected because you either knowingly or unknowingly violated GBP policies.
Still Struggling to Get Verified? Watch Our Video
If you have followed all of the steps outlined in this guide but still are not verified and you have no other ways to be verified any longer here is what you can do next.
Why Did Google Switch to Video Verification Anyway?
Google recently pivoted to a video verification first process to help combat rampant spam, reduce fraudulent listings, and ensure that small businesses are authentic and in operation physically.
By switching to this method it also helped to replace slower methods which made it easier to fake the verification process like postcards.
Combat Fraud: It stops or really limits a person’s ability to fake a business location such as a virtual address or residential address to game local search results
Real-Time Evidence: Video verification supports real-time evidence for Google’s support team. Video allows Google to see virtual proof that your business exists. Including permanent signage, office space, or equipment
Validates Your Operation: It proves that you actually work at your location. A successful video verification includes the business owner unlocking the door to the office, accessing a POS system, or showing business documents.
It Increases The Speed of Verification: Unlike the old and outdated ways like the physical postcard verification system, you can actually get verified faster via video verification methods.
