How to Complete Google Business Profile Video Verification for a Physical Business
Google Business Profile video verification is used to prove that your business is real, located where you say it is, and that you are authorised to manage it. This guide is for businesses with a physical location, such as a shop, salon, clinic, office, showroom, restaurant, café, pub, workshop, gym, or other customer-facing premises.
Before You Record the Verification Video
Use Your Mobile
The video must be recorded and uploaded from a mobile device through your Google Business Profile. You cannot pre-record a video and upload it later.
One Continuous Video
The video must be one complete recording with no pauses, cuts, edits, or separate clips joined together.
At Least 30 Seconds
Your video must be at least 30 seconds long. In most cases, a clear 60–90 second video is enough if it shows everything properly.
What Google Needs to See
For a physical business, your video should clearly prove three things:
1. The Location
Show that your business is genuinely at the address listed on Google. Include the street, building number, nearby businesses, recognisable surroundings, or landmarks.
2. The Business Exists
Show your storefront, entrance, showroom, reception, customer area, or business signage. Your business name should be clearly visible.
3. You Manage It
Show proof that you have access to the business, such as unlocking the door, opening a staff-only area, using the till, accessing a stockroom, or showing business equipment.
Step-by-Step Video Verification Instructions
Start Outside the Business
Begin recording outside the premises. Do not start the video inside the building. Google needs to see the outside location first.
- Show the street or road.
- Show the building number if there is one.
- Show nearby shops, businesses, signs, or landmarks.
- Make it obvious that you are at the correct address.
Show the Permanent Business Signage
Clearly show your business name on permanent signage. The name on the sign should match the name on your Google Business Profile.
- Show the sign on the shopfront, wall, window, door, signboard, or other permanent fixture.
- Make sure the sign is readable in the video.
- Avoid relying on temporary paper signs, posters, or anything that looks recently placed just for the video.
Show Yourself Unlocking the Property
Before walking inside, clearly show yourself unlocking the business premises with your key, fob, keypad, or access method.
- Keep the video recording while you unlock the entrance.
- Make it clear that you are gaining access to the business.
- This helps prove that you are authorised to manage or represent the business.
Walk Inside While Still Recording
Keep recording as you walk from outside into the premises. This helps connect the outside location, signage, entrance, and interior together in one continuous video.
Show the Customer-Facing Area
Once inside, show the part of the business customers would normally see.
- Reception area
- Shop floor
- Waiting area
- Showroom
- Treatment room
- Restaurant, café, pub, or bar area
- Gym, studio, clinic, office, or workspace
Show Proof That You Manage the Business
Google needs to see something that only the owner, manager, or authorised staff member would normally be able to access.
- Open the till or cash register.
- Show the point-of-sale system.
- Open a stockroom or storage room.
- Access a staff-only area.
- Show the kitchen, workshop, treatment room, or business-only area.
- Show branded equipment, tools, products, or work materials.
- Show a booking system or business dashboard, but avoid showing private customer details.
Review and Upload
Once you have shown the location, signage, unlocked the premises, entered the business, and shown proof of management, stop the recording and review it before uploading.
Suggested Video Order
- Start outside the business.
- Show the street, building number, nearby businesses, or recognisable surroundings.
- Show the permanent business signage clearly.
- Show yourself unlocking the business with your key, fob, keypad, or access method.
- Walk into the premises while still recording.
- Show the customer-facing area.
- Show proof that you manage the business, such as the till, stockroom, staff-only area, POS system, business equipment, or work area.
- Stop the recording once everything has been shown.
Simple Script You Can Say During the Video
“This is the outside of our business at [business address]. Here is the surrounding area and nearby businesses. This is our business sign showing [business name]. I’m now unlocking the premises and entering the business. This is our customer area. I’m now showing access to [till / stockroom / staff area / POS system / business equipment] to prove that I manage or represent the business.”
You do not have to speak in the video, but speaking can make it easier to explain what you are showing.
Video Verification Checklist
Before uploading your video, make sure it shows:
- The outside of the business.
- The street, building number, nearby businesses, or recognisable surroundings.
- Permanent signage with the business name clearly visible.
- The business name matching the name on your Google Business Profile.
- You unlocking the business premises.
- You walking inside while still recording.
- The customer-facing area.
- Proof that you manage or represent the business.
- No private customer information.
- No sensitive business or personal information.
- No other people’s faces.
- One continuous recording with no cuts or edits.
- A video length of at least 30 seconds.
Common Reasons Google Rejects Verification Videos
- The business sign is missing, unclear, or does not match the profile name.
- The signage looks temporary rather than permanent.
- The video does not show the outside location properly.
- The video does not show nearby surroundings, street signs, building numbers, or recognisable landmarks.
- The video starts inside the premises instead of outside.
- The video does not show the person unlocking or accessing the business.
- The video does not prove that the person recording is authorised to manage the business.
- The video is too short.
- The video is edited, paused, cut, or made from separate clips.
- The video shows sensitive information or other people’s faces.
How to Upload the Video to Google Business Profile
- On your mobile phone, go to your Google Business Profile.
- Tap Get verified.
- Select Business video.
- Tap Next.
- Allow camera, microphone, and location access if asked.
- Tap Start recording.
- Record your video in one continuous take.
- Review the video before submitting it.
- If anything is missing, tap Try again and re-record it.
- When you are happy, tap Upload video.
Google normally reviews the video after it has been uploaded. This can take up to five business days. If the video is not approved, Google may show a “Review issues” message explaining what was missing.
Google Business Profile Video Verification FAQs
Can I record the video first and upload it later?
No. Google requires the video to be recorded and uploaded through your Google Business Profile on a mobile device. You cannot record it separately and upload it afterwards.
How long should the video be?
Google says the video must be at least 30 seconds long. A clear video of around 60–90 seconds is usually enough for a physical business, as long as it shows the location, signage, access to the premises, and proof of management.
Do I need permanent signage?
Yes, if your business is listed as a physical storefront or customer-facing location. Google expects physical businesses to have permanent on-site signage. If you do not serve customers at your business address, your profile may need to be set up as a service-area business instead.
Should I show myself unlocking the business?
Yes. For a physical business, showing yourself unlocking the entrance before walking inside is a strong way to prove that you have access to the premises and are authorised to manage or represent the business.
What if my video is rejected?
If your video is rejected, check the “Review issues” message in your Google Business Profile. Re-record the video and make sure you include everything that was missing, as well as the location, signage, access to the premises, and proof of management.
Can I show business documents?
You can show non-sensitive business documents if needed, but avoid showing private information, customer details, bank information, tax numbers, ID numbers, passwords, or anything confidential.
Need Help With Google Business Profile Verification?
If your Google Business Profile video verification keeps failing, it is usually because Google has not been shown enough proof of the business location, signage, or management access. We can help you understand what to include before you try again.
Get Help With Your Google Business Profile