How to set up and verify your Google Business Profile
Your free Google listing is what shows up on Maps and Search. Here’s how to set it up and verify it, step by step.
Checked against Google’s own help pages on October 22, 2026. Google changes these screens from time to time, so follow what you see on screen if it differs.
Before you start
- Check you qualify. Your business must meet customers in person during its stated hours, either at your location or at theirs. Online-only businesses, P.O. boxes and virtual offices don’t qualify. [Google: Business eligibility and ownership guidelines]
- Have a Google Account. You need one to add and verify a profile. [Google: Verify your business on Google]
- Have your basics ready: your real business name (as on your sign or truck), your main category, phone, website, hours, and either your address or the towns you serve.
Step 1: See if your business is already on Google
Search Google Maps for your business name and city. There are three possibilities: [Google: Add or claim your Business Profile]
- Not there: go to Step 2.
- There but unverified: open it, select Claim this business, then Manage now, and go to Step 4.
- Already verified by someone else (an old employee or agency): request ownership. The current owner has 3 days to answer. If there’s no answer, you may be able to claim it. [Google: Request ownership of a Business Profile]
Step 2: Add your business
- Go to business.google.com/add.
- Click Add your business to Google.
- Follow the on-screen steps to enter your details. [Google: Add or claim your Business Profile]
Step 3: Get the details right
- Name: use your real-world name only. No taglines, cities, phone numbers or keywords. Google’s guidelines say not to add extra words. [Google: Guidelines for representing your business on Google]
- Category: pick the main thing your business is. Google says to use as few categories as possible. You can add up to 9 more. [Google: Edit your Business Profile]
- Address or service area: if customers come to you, enter your address. If you go to them (plumbers, cleaners, lawn care), remove the address and list up to 20 cities or ZIP codes. Keep the whole area within about 2 hours’ drive of your base. [Google: Manage your service areas]
- Phone and website: use a local phone number you control, and your website if you have one. [Google: Guidelines for representing your business on Google]
Step 4: Verify
Google decides which methods you get, and you can’t change them. You may be offered one or more of these: [Google: Verify your business on Google]
- Phone or text: Google sends a code. You must answer the call yourself; phone menus (IVR) won’t get it.
- Email: follow the steps in the email.
- Video recording: Google recommends this when it’s offered. Record live from your phone, in one unedited take of at least 30 seconds. Follow Google’s list of what to show (your location, your business and that you manage it). Don’t show other people’s faces or private documents. Review can take up to 5 business days. [Google: Verify your business with a video recording]
- Live video call: only during your business hours.
- Postcard: most codes arrive within 14 days. While you wait, don’t edit your name, address or category, and don’t request a new code, or the one in the mail stops working. Codes expire after 30 days.
After you finish, Google reviews your info. This takes up to 5 business days, and you get an email when you’re verified. [Google: Verify your business on Google]
Step 5: Fill out your profile
- Hours, plus special hours for holidays.
- Photos of your storefront, work, products or truck.
- A plain description of what you do, up to 750 characters. No links or promotions. [Google: Edit your Business Profile]
- Your services or menu, if your category offers it.
Step 6: Get reviews the right way
- Ask happy customers and share your Google review link or QR code.
- Never offer discounts or freebies for reviews. Google prohibits it.
- Reply to reviews, good and bad, short and polite. [Google: Tips to get more reviews]
Keep it up to date
Update hours before holidays and when things change. If you move, you’ll need to verify again. [Google: Edit your Business Profile]
Questions
Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?
No. Google says you can add or claim your business at no charge.
How long does verification take?
After you finish the verification steps, Google says its review takes up to 5 business days. A postcard code usually arrives within 14 days.
Can I choose how I verify?
No. Google decides which verification options your profile gets, and you can’t change them.
I work out of my house. Do I have to show my address?
No. If you don’t serve customers at your address, Google says to remove it and list a service area instead (up to 20 cities or ZIP codes).
Someone else already verified my business. What do I do?
Request ownership. The current owner gets 3 days to respond. If they don’t, you may get the option to claim it.
Can I offer a discount for reviews?
No. Google prohibits incentives for reviews. Just ask happy customers and share your review link or QR code.
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Sources
- Add or claim your Business Profile (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Verify your business on Google (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Verify your business with a video recording (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Request ownership of a Business Profile (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Business eligibility and ownership guidelines (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Guidelines for representing your business on Google (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Manage your service areas (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Edit your Business Profile (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)
- Tips to get more reviews (Google Business Profile Help, checked October 22, 2026)