How to Get Your Google Business Profile Approved

Eliminate the GBP verification nightmare

In this article: If you must verify your Google Business Profile by video, I go over the steps needed to get approved. Most times now you must submit a video of your home-based business to prove you are a real business. I will show you the steps that work to get approval from Google’s AI gatekeeper.

Introduction to Google Business Profile

Let’s face it, for all small local service businesses, a GBP is essential requirement as part of a serious marketing plan. We all use search engines to find things we need and want. Or answers to questions about a problem we’re trying to solve.

So Google came up with a business listing database to better serve their users. And you can register your business in this Google owned phonebook. And you should if you want to be considered as an answer to someone local search question.

For local service companies, having a listing on Google is very important. You want to have a verified listing complete with a heavy-hitting description of your services. Photos of your work. And promotional offers.

What you’ll need to set up a GMB profile

1. A Google Account – Gmail or Google Workspace
2. An real Physical address – P.O. Boxes not allowed
3. A real business – official business license

Google Business Profile set up Procedures

To create your Google Business Profile you will have to fill out Google’s online form. Here’s the link to begin the process: Google Business Profile start

You should see a simple page like this one to the left. Asking you to type in the name of your business.

1. Type your business name in the field.
2. Click the “Add you business to Google” link

What happens next in the GBP process?

One of two things.

1. Business name is found in Google system…good news
2. Business name is not found in Google’s system…don’t worry

 

Advanced steps to get GBP verification

The first way to get easier GBP verification is to already have a professional business website that has the following items on the site:

1. NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on the footer and contact page.
2. Use Schema markup to structure business details.

Then, add your site to Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster tools). To accomplish this, you will need to insert some code into your websites structure. Google Search Console has instructions on where the code snippet has to go, but if you hired someone else to create your website, ask them to help you get this done.

Shameless self plug…I provide this as part of my website development services … Call CharleyBlue Designs for more information.

If you want to skip these two steps for now, that’s okay. Getting back to the GMP setup.

Steps to get GBP verified by video

Here are the recommended steps to get your GBP video approved:

1. Preparation – Get ready to shoot your verification video.

Outside your home

• House number visible
• Work truck with business banner (if you have one)
• Storage shed with tools (if you have one or in your truck/car)
• Keys to your front door

Home Office – Set up on a desk or table

• Business license
• A bill with the business name
• Laptop/Tablet opened to your company’s website

With the prep steps out of the way, open Google Chrome and log into your Gmail account. Go to the webpage to input your information.

2. Take the video in Google’s Verification window

Start outside your home

When your outside your home and are ready to record, start at the street house number location

1. Start recording
2. State your name with the camera pointing to you
3. State the name of your business and your relationship
4. Show and state the street address
5. Show your work truck or car and tools
6. Go to the front door and put the key in the lock stating your opening the door to your home.
7. Go to your office space, show the business license
8. Show the laptop/tablet with your business website
9. Show a bill with the name of your business and home address showing
10. Stop recording and submit

If you took less than 2 minutes and covered all of the base I mentioned above…fingers crossed, you get to the next step…approval.

Disclaimer. I did not have to do this procedure. Our business uses a business address, not our home address. I am going off of researching with AI.

What to do if it is rejected

Click the Contact Support option before closing the app

Gather the evidence like business license, utility bill showing business name and address, and the business license. Photos of your business signage, work vehicles, tools, etc. And because your are a home based business, you will be submitting the GBP form as a Service Area Business. Make sure that is correct.