Google may ask you to complete Video Verification before your Google Business Profile can be verified.
The purpose of the video is to help Google confirm:
Your business is located where you say it is
Your business genuinely exists and operates
You are authorized to manage or represent the business
Google has different video requirements depending on whether you operate a Storefront / Hybrid Business or a Service-Area Business, so make sure you follow the correct instructions below.
⚠️ Before You Start
Your verification video must be:
Recorded live
Recorded from a mobile device
Recorded through your Google Business Profile verification screen
One continuous, unedited recording
At least 30 seconds long
Complete enough to show all required evidence
You cannot record the video beforehand and upload it later.
Before starting, make sure you:
Are physically at the business or operating location
Have a stable internet connection
Have your keys, equipment and supporting evidence ready
Allow Google access to your location, camera and microphone if requested
Plan what you are going to show before pressing Start Recording
Step 1: Identify Your Business Type
Before recording, determine which type of business you have.
Storefront Business
Choose this if customers regularly visit your physical business location during your stated opening hours.
Examples:
Retail store
Dental clinic
Restaurant
Salon
Office customers visit
A storefront should have permanent on-site business signage.
Service-Area Business
Choose this if you travel to your customers and do not serve customers at your business address.
Examples:
Roofer
Plumber
Electrician
Cleaning company
Landscaping company
Mobile service provider
If customers do not visit your business address, the address should normally be hidden from customers on your Google Business Profile.
Hybrid Business:
A hybrid business serves customers at its physical location and travels or delivers services to customers. For video verification, follow the Storefront / Hybrid Business instructions below.
Step 2: Show Your Business Location
Google needs to establish that you are recording from the location connected to the Business Profile.
For Storefront / Hybrid Businesses
Start outside and show:
Street name or street sign
Building number
Nearby businesses
Recognizable nearby landmarks
Exterior of the business
Business entrance
Try to show enough of the surrounding area for Google to identify the location on Google Maps.
For Service-Area Businesses
Show identifiable surroundings near the location where your business is based.
This may include:
Street signs
Building numbers
Nearby businesses
Nearby landmarks
Neighborhood signs or other location identifiers
If you operate your business from home, you can show landmarks and street signs in the immediate neighborhood.
Do not rely only on filming an empty road, empty land or an area with no identifiable location markers.
Step 3: Show Proof That Your Business Exists
Next, show Google evidence that this is a genuine operating business.
For Storefront / Hybrid Businesses
Show:
Your storefront
Permanent business signage
Interior workspace
Business equipment
Products
Workstations
Other evidence of normal business operations
Your Business Sign Is Important
Your business name should be clearly displayed on a permanent fixture, such as:
Signboard
Wall sign
Window signage
Other permanent on-site signage
The business name shown should match the name on your Google Business Profile.
For Service-Area Businesses
You do not need to create a storefront just for verification.
Instead, show evidence related to the actual services your business performs.
Examples include:
Professional tools
Equipment
Machinery
Work supplies
Products
Workspace
Branded vehicle
Business cards
Marketing materials
Branded clothing or uniforms
The evidence should make sense for the type of business listed on your Google Business Profile.
Step 4: Prove That You Manage the Business
This is one of the most important parts of the verification video.
Google needs evidence that you are not simply a customer or visitor.
Show something that only the owner, manager or employee would normally be able to access.
Examples include:
Storefront / Hybrid Business
Unlock the business entrance using your keys
Unlock an employee-only room
Access a storage area
Open a cash register
Access the point-of-sale system
Enter a kitchen or staff-only workspace
Operate business equipment
Service-Area Business
You can show:
Unlocking a branded work vehicle
Accessing professional equipment
Using tools required to provide your service
Performing or demonstrating the service
Accessing business-only materials
Business documentation connecting you to the business
Google specifically looks for proof that you manage or represent the business, so do not skip this section.
Step 5: Show Business Documents If Helpful
For Service-Area Businesses in particular, business documentation can provide additional evidence.
You may show:
Business permit
Business licence
Utility bill
Business invoice
Other official business documentation
Where applicable, the document should connect to the business name shown on your Google Business Profile.
⚠️ Do Not Show Sensitive Information
Do not show:
Bank account numbers
Tax identification numbers
Government identification numbers
Customer information
Private personal information
Confidential information
Also avoid recording other people's faces.
Step 6: Record the Video
Once everything is prepared:
Open your Google Business Profile on your mobile device.
Select Get verified.
Select Business video.
Select Next.
Review Google's video requirements.
Allow access to your location, camera and microphone if requested.
Select Start recording.
Record all required evidence in one continuous video.
Stop the recording after everything has been shown.
Recommended Recording Order
For the easiest verification video, follow this sequence:
Location → Business → Management
Show the street and surrounding area
↓
Show the business, signage, equipment or tools
↓
Show proof that you manage or operate the business
This helps ensure you cover the three main things Google needs to verify.
Step 7: Review Your Video
Before uploading, check that your video clearly shows:
Location: Can Google identify where the business is based?
Business: Can Google see evidence that the business genuinely exists and operates?
Management: Can Google see evidence that you are authorized to manage or represent the business?
For Storefront / Hybrid Businesses, also confirm: Permanent Signage: Is the correct business name clearly visible on permanent signage?
If something important is missing, select Try again and record a new video.
Step 8: Upload the Video
Once the video contains everything required, select:
Upload video
Do not close the verification process until the video has finished uploading.
What Happens After You Submit?
Google will review the verification video.
The review can take up to 5 business days.
You will receive one of two results:
Verification Successful
Your business has passed video verification.
Follow any remaining instructions shown on your Google Business Profile.
❌ Verification Unsuccessful
Google may tell you what was missing from the video.
Common examples include:
Business name not visible
Nearby area not shown
Insufficient proof of management or authorization
Review the issues Google provides and record a new video.
Your new video should include:
Everything required in the original video
The additional evidence Google said was missing
Common Video Verification Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Recording the video beforehand
❌ Editing or combining multiple clips
❌ Showing only the inside of the business
❌ Showing only employees working
❌ Not showing the surrounding location
❌ Not showing proof that you manage the business
❌ Missing permanent signage for a storefront
❌ Showing temporary signage as if it were permanent
❌ Service-Area Business trying to appear like a storefront
❌ Showing an area with no identifiable location markers
❌ Showing sensitive personal or financial information
❌ Recording customers or employees' faces
Still Unable to Verify?
If your video verification is unsuccessful, review Google's feedback and try the verification again.
If Google offers another verification method, move to the next step in our verification process:
➡️ Follow the GBP Google Meet / Live Video Verification Guide
If Google's available verification methods still do not work, proceed to Google Business Profile Contact Support.