Google My Business Now Offers Video Verification

Times are changing!

Having a verified Google My Business listing is a critical component of a successful Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. Not only will you rank higher when users are searching for you and your services (according to search giant Google), verified businesses are twice as likely to be considered by users. 

In other words, it’s not a matter of if you need to verify your business, it’s a matter of how you’re going to do it.

You may be thinking, “Oh, come on! A simple phone call or postcard can’t be that hard!” – think again. Google purposefully makes the verification process difficult to weed out those who are trying to cheat the system. Lucky for you, the days of requesting and re-re-requesting postcards and phone calls from Google to verify your business can be gone – if you so choose this new path. *drum roll* Google is now offering video verification to verify your business in some areas.

So, when verifying your business, you now have 3 options:

1. Postcard – have Google send a postcard to your place of business
2. Phone call – have Google call your place of business
3.  Email – have Google email your business
4. Video verification – video chat with Google specialist and give them a tour of your workspace

Google explains Video Verification as “a video call…to visually confirm the existence of a business as well as its location and other details.”

What you can expect during the Video Verification call

Essentially, you send Google the best time to connect (inside or outside of normal business hours – score!) and a Google specialist will call you to begin the verification process. During the call, you will be asked questions, such as your name and relationship to the business. These questions “will vary from business to business depending on your application and the information that needs to be verified.”

To ensure a smooth verification, have the following ready prior to the call:

• Google Hangouts application installed on your smartphone or laptop
• Be present at your business location during the call: You will be giving the Google specialist a tour of your business including vehicles used to perform services
• Business documentation: Have official business documentation nearby (e.g., copy of your business license, business cards, etc.)

We’ve been helping our clients jump through Google’s verification hoops for years. Please reach out to us with any questions – we’re here to help!

Happy Verifying!