Prepare before you press record.
Most failed videos begin before the evidence is staged. Complete the technical check first.
- Check the account. The Google Maps app on the phone must be signed into the same Google account that manages the Business Profile.
- Enable precise location. In the phone settings, allow Google Maps to access the device’s precise location.
- Stage keys. Have the key for the office, storefront, or service vehicle ready in your hand.
- Stage documents. Put a business license, insurance document, or utility bill on a well-lit surface.
- Stage operations. Make the permanently branded vehicle, heavy equipment, or trade-specific tools easy to reach without stopping the recording.
The video must be one continuous take from beginning to end. Google does not allow editing.
Capture the three proof points.
Show street signs, a building number, or an office directory when the business is inside a suite. Prove that the video was recorded where the profile says the business operates.
Show permanent signage, a permanently branded vehicle, or professional trade equipment. A plain unbranded vehicle is weak evidence.
Unlock a door or vehicle, open a cash register, enter an employee-only area, or access industry-specific business software. Show that you control the operation.
Film it in a logical order.
Aim for 60 to 90 seconds and stay under two minutes. Move slowly enough for names, numbers, and branding to remain readable.
- Start outside. Begin on a nearby street sign or recognizable landmark, then pan to the building number or work vehicle.
- Demonstrate access. Unlock the entrance. For a service-area business, unlock and start the branded vehicle or open it to show equipment.
- Show operations. Walk through the reception, work area, storage, kitchen, back office, or another employee-only area. Focus briefly on trade tools.
- Finish on documentation. Show an official document whose business name and address match the Business Profile exactly, then stop recording.
Upload it and leave it alone.
Review can take up to five days. Deleting the uploaded video while it is processing cancels the verification.
If the upload fails
- Connect to a strong Wi-Fi network.
- Record at 1080p. A 4K file is larger and more likely to fail.
- Keep the final video under two minutes.
If verification is rejected
Do not delete the Business Profile. Return to the support flow and record a new video. Pan more slowly and make the management action, especially unlocking the door or vehicle, unmistakable.
Common questions.
Can I edit the verification video?
No. Record one continuous, unedited take. Do not add cuts, transitions, or a voiceover later.
Should I talk during the video?
Yes. Brief narration helps explain what Google is seeing. State the street address, what you are unlocking, and what each document or tool proves.
What if I do not have a storefront?
Start at a nearby street sign, move to the permanently branded service vehicle, show its license plate, unlock it, show trade tools, and finish with a business license or utility bill. You do not need to film inside your home.
