How to Optimize Google Business Profile Video Verification

Enhance your Google Business Profile (GBP) by using video verification to ensure it stands out. Implementing the best practices for video verification can significantly increase your profile’s visibility and attract more local customers.

Google Business Profiles (GBP) are essential for local businesses aiming to improve their online presence and reach more potential customers. Before your GBP can be seen by the public, it must be verified. This process involves clicking on the “Get Verified” link and completing the necessary steps.

By optimising your GBP with video verification, you not only verify your business but also enhance its credibility and improve its chances of being prominently displayed in local search results. Following these best practices helps ensure that your profile is accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible to those looking for your services.

When a business creates a Google Business Profile, Google provides several methods to verify the profile. This verification is essential as it allows Google to confirm the legitimacy of the business and ensure it adheres to Google’s standards for online representation.

The verification process helps Google validate that the business is not only real but also meets specific criteria set by Google. This process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the information displayed on Google and ensuring that users receive accurate and reliable business details.

In an ideal scenario, Google would conduct in-person visits to each location to verify that the business exists and complies with all guidelines. However, due to practical constraints, this is not feasible. Instead, Google relies on various verification methods such as mail, phone, email, or video verification to authenticate the business online and facilitate its inclusion in Google’s search results and maps.

Unfortunately, in-person visits to verify businesses are not feasible.

One effective method Google uses for verification is video verification. This approach serves as a digital substitute for an in-person check. Through video verification, Google can visually inspect the business and gather additional details.

This method helps Google authenticate legitimate businesses and aims to filter out fake or spammy listings. By doing so, it helps ensure that the Local Pack, Local Finder, and Google Maps present accurate and reliable information to users.

Why Video Verification?

With video verification, Google is working to ensure that Google Business Profiles (GBPs) are associated with real and legitimate businesses that adhere to its guidelines.

The video verification process involves several critical checks:

Existence: Google aims to confirm that the business is genuine and actually exists. This involves verifying that the business is not a fabricated or fraudulent entity. By watching the video, Google can see evidence of the business’s physical presence and operations.
Geographic Location: The verification process also checks if the business is located at the address provided in the GBP. For example, if a business claims to be a bookstore in New York City, the video should clearly show a bookstore in that location, rather than a different city or a fabricated setting. This helps ensure that the location information is accurate and truthful.
User Integrity: Google needs to verify that the business is genuinely operational and that the person submitting the video is a legitimate representative of the business. This step helps to prevent fraudulent activities and ensures that the GBP is managed by an actual, operational business rather than a fake or misleading entity.
Affiliation: Google assesses whether the person providing the video has the authority to represent the business. This is crucial to ensure that only authorised individuals or representatives are managing and verifying the business profile, thus maintaining the integrity of the GBP.

When businesses submit video evidence, Google operators review it to determine if it meets the required criteria. The video should clearly demonstrate that the business is located where it claims to be, performs the services it advertises, and is operated by a legitimate and authorized representative. This verification process helps to filter out spammy or fake listings, ensuring that the Local Pack, Local Finder, and Google Maps provide accurate and reliable information to users.

To complete the video verification process for your Google Business Profile, you will need a mobile device equipped with a camera.

When you are selected for video verification, it’s important to understand why Google uses this method. Video verification is intended to provide clear evidence that your business is genuine and operates according to the details provided in your profile.

In your video, you need to include specific information to help Google verify your business. This means showing visible proof of your business’s location, its operations, and the products or services it offers. The video should also clearly depict the person filming, demonstrating that they are a legitimate representative of the business.

Google requires this verification to ensure that businesses listed on its platform are real and not fraudulent. The video evidence should be detailed enough for Google operators to confirm that your business is operating as stated, at the location specified, and that the person presenting the video has the authority to represent the business.

Google will also check that the business’s geographic location matches what is listed in the Google Business Profile.

It’s essential to follow the on-screen instructions carefully and plan your video in advance. Since the video must be recorded in one continuous shot, proper planning is key.

During the video verification process, Google requires the business owner or an authorized representative to record a short, uninterrupted video. This video should clearly show evidence that the business is legitimate and operational.

The video you submit should be concise, ideally around two minutes long, and focused on capturing key details about your business.

Each video is carefully reviewed by a Google employee who assesses it to ensure it effectively simulates an in-person visit to your business. This review helps Google verify that your business is legitimate and meets their guidelines.

Importantly, Google does not request any sensitive information in these videos. You are not required to show faces, confidential documents, or any personal details that could compromise privacy.

The videos you provide are kept confidential and are used exclusively for the purpose of verifying your business. They are not published publicly and can be deleted upon request, ensuring that your privacy is maintained throughout the verification process.

Planning Your Video For Business Profile Video Verification

Before recording your video, it’s essential to plan what you will show, who will be featured, and who will handle the recording. This preparation ensures you cover all necessary elements to prove to Google that your business is genuine.

The video should include various key details to support your business’s legitimacy. You don’t need to present these elements in a specific order, but you must include them to verify your business. However, Google does request that you start by showing the exterior of your business before moving inside.

Show That Your Business Exists

For the video verification process, you need to clearly demonstrate several key aspects of your business to prove its legitimacy, location, and operations.

Start by capturing the exterior of your business location. This includes showing the building’s outside view, any permanent signage, and visible branding. Make sure to also include surrounding landmarks, street signs, and nearby businesses to help Google confirm the geographical location. Avoid filming unmarked areas or vacant land, as these do not support the verification process.

If your business has a storefront, permanent signage is crucial. Temporary signs or banners do not count. Record the exterior and interior of your business, including any relevant signage inside the building. If you’re in an office building with multiple tenants, include the building’s directory showing your company’s listing and suite number.

Next, walk through the interior of your business to show that it is operational and not just empty space. Display any branding, marketing materials, and professional tools used in your operations. For Service Area Businesses (SABs), show the equipment or tools specific to your trade, such as solar panels for a solar company or lawn care equipment for a landscaping business.

Also, include footage of your service vehicles, ensuring they are clearly branded with your company name and logo. A plain vehicle will not suffice. This helps confirm that your business is real and operates as described.

Show Geographic Location

Google needs to verify that your business is actually located where your Google Business Profile (GBP) claims. The goal is to confirm that the location shown in your video matches the address on Google Maps.

For storefront businesses, include nearby street signs and adjacent businesses in your video. This helps Google verify your location. Avoid showing empty lots or unrelated areas, as this does not support your claim of having a legitimate business.

If you run a Service Area Business (SAB) from your home, make sure to capture street signs, your house number, and your mailbox. This evidence helps confirm that your business address is correct and matches what’s listed on your GBP.

Show User Integrity: Prove You’re A Real Business

To demonstrate that your business is legitimate, include specific items in your video that clearly show you are a real, operational business.

For instance, simply displaying a generic software application on your screen won’t be sufficient. Instead, if your business relies on specialized software or equipment, showcase these in your video. This helps prove to Google that your business is genuine.

Here are a few examples:

– If you’re an accountant, display the professional accounting software you use.

– If you’re a veterinarian, show the veterinary-specific software on your screen.

– If you work in digital marketing or design, highlight any specialised tools used for creating videos or podcasts.

For Service Area Businesses, showing your work vehicle loaded with equipment can further validate your business. This evidence supports the Google operator’s review and helps confirm that your business is real and operational.

Affiliation: Is The Merchant Real?

In this part of the video, you need to establish that your business is real and that the person appearing in the video is authorised to represent it.

It’s crucial that the person in the video is either the owner or a manager. For storefront businesses, you should demonstrate access to areas restricted to employees.

Here’s what you should include in the video:

– Show the process of opening the business, such as unlocking the door with a key.

– Operate the cash register or POS system.

– Enter areas of the business that are off-limits to the public.

These steps help prove that the person in the video has authority over the business.

If your business has official documents like a business or liquor license displayed, include close-ups of these documents in the video. Make sure the business name and address on these documents match those on your Google Business Profile.

For Service Area Businesses, show access to industry-specific tools and branded vehicles. Display the equipment or tools used for your services and any official documents verifying your business details.

If you’re not ready to record the video right away, you can take your time to prepare. Complete the verification when you’re ready, even if it takes a day or two to plan and gather all necessary footage.

Completing The Video Verification Process

When recording your verification video, arrange the content in a way that suits your business setup, as long as you cover all necessary points.

Ensure the video is continuous and recorded directly through the Google Business Profile app. It cannot be pre-recorded and then uploaded.

If you started your Google Business Profile setup on a desktop, you will see a QR code for mobile verification when you reach the video step. Scan this code with your mobile device to continue.

Make sure you are logged in with the same Google Business Profile email on your mobile device. Once ready, tap “Start Recording” and follow the instructions to capture your video.

After recording, tap “Stop Recording” and choose whether to complete the process on your desktop or mobile device. Uploading from your mobile is typically easier. Click “Upload Video,” and since the video is recorded in the app, you don’t need to worry about file size.

Click “Done” once the upload is complete. The Google Business Profile support team will review your video, which may take up to five days. Do not delete the video until you receive confirmation that your profile is verified.

If the video verification fails, you will see a “Get Verified” button in your Google Business Profile. You’ll need to redo the video, providing additional proof if necessary.

After verification, you can delete the video if you wish. To do this:

Go to your Business Profile on Google Search.
Click “More” (three dots) at the top right.
Select “Advanced settings” > “Video uploads” > “Delete videos.”

You’re now ready to continue optimising your Google Business Profile and engage with your customers.

Help Videos

Google provides help videos to guide you through the video verification process. These videos explain what is required for successful verification.

It’s a good idea to watch these videos before starting your own verification:

– Video Verification for Storefront Businesses

– Video Verification for Service Area Businesses

How To Get Video Verification Support

If you’re still having trouble with video verification, you can seek help using the verification status tool. Here’s how to get support for your Google Business Profile:

Verify your email: Ensure you are logged into the email address linked to the Google Business Profile you’re trying to verify.
Access the Verification Status Tool: Select the Business Profile you are having issues with.
Contact support: Depending on your status, you might be redirected to the Google Business Profile dashboard. If so, return to the Verification Status tool and choose the option to contact support. Click “Yes” and then “Continue.”
Get in touch with support: Click the link to “Get in touch with our support team.”
Report the issue: In the “What is your issue?” section, select “My business profile is not verified.” Ensure you select “Yes” for the question asking if you have uploaded a verification video, as this is crucial.
Complete the form: Fill out the form with all required details and upload any proof of your legitimate business.

Providing all requested information accurately is important to help Google verify your business profile.