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How do you get your business on Google Maps and verified?

The short answer

Add or claim your business at business.google.com/add or from Google Maps, then verify it. Google decides which verification methods you get, based on your business type, public info, region and hours. Your business must meet customers in person during its stated hours (a service-area business that visits its customers can qualify), and the name should be the one on your storefront and website. Keep your own Google Account as the primary owner, and give anyone who helps you manager access.

For
Owners of a shop, clinic, studio or office who want to show up on Google Maps
You leave with
Whether you qualify, how verification works, the rules that get profiles suspended, and who should own the profile
Time
5 min read

By Rahul Bansal,

On this page
  1. First, check that you qualify
  2. Add or claim the profile
  3. Verification: Google decides how
  4. Get the details right
  5. Keep the business as the primary owner
  6. How local ranking works
  7. How we can help
  8. Questions people ask
  9. Sources

When someone searches for a business or place near them, Google shows local results on Maps and Search, and a Business Profile is how your business appears there. Setting one up is free, but Google is strict about who qualifies and what a profile says.

First, check that you qualify

Google's policy overview says a business "must make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours". Its examples of businesses that are not eligible:

  • Brands, organisations, artists and other online-only businesses.
  • Lead generation agents or companies.
  • An ongoing service, class or meeting at a place you don't own or have the authority to represent.
  • Rental or for-sale properties, such as vacation homes or vacant apartments.

The address guidelines add more. A virtual office (a mailing address you don't work from) is not eligible, and P.O. boxes are not accepted. An office in a co-working space is allowed only if it has clear signage, receives customers during business hours and is staffed by your own people in those hours.

If you go to customers rather than them coming to you, like a plumber or a locksmith, you are a service-area business. Google says you should hide your address and set a service area instead.

Add or claim the profile

If your business is not on Google yet, Google's steps start at business.google.com/add: add your details and pick a verification option. If it already shows on Maps but nobody has claimed it, open it on Google Maps and select "Claim this business".

If someone else has already verified it, perhaps a former agency or employee, you can request ownership. The current owner is emailed and has 3 days to respond. If they don't, you may get the option to claim it, though Google says that option isn't always available.

Verification: Google decides how

Google says verification methods "are automatically determined by Google and can't be changed". What you are offered depends on your business type, public info, region and business hours.

MethodWhat to know
Phone or textMake sure you can answer the business number or receive texts. Interactive voice response systems won't get the code.
EmailYou must be able to use the address shown on screen.
Live video callNot available to every business, and only within your location's business hours. Be at the business and show signs, equipment and staff-only areas.
Video recordingRecorded live on a mobile device, at least 30 seconds, unedited. A storefront shows its location, its signage and something only staff can access. The name shown must match the profile.
PostcardNot available to every business. Most codes arrive within 14 days and expire after 30. Don't edit the name, address or category while you wait, and don't request a new code.

Google then reviews it in up to 5 business days, occasionally longer. Sometimes verification is instant, for example when you have verified your website in Google Search Console. How to set up Google Search Console.

Get the details right

The guidelines are specific:

  • Name: your real-world name, as used on your storefront, website and stationery. No taglines, phone numbers, location details, service or product descriptions, or fully capitalised words. Unnecessary information could get the profile suspended.
  • Address: precise and real. One profile per location.
  • Hours: your regular customer-facing hours, with special hours for holidays.
  • Categories: as few as possible, as specific as possible. The test is "this business IS a", not "HAS a".

Our advice: before you submit, put your website's contact page next to the form and make the name, address, phone number and hours match exactly. If you change one later, change both the same day.

Keep the business as the primary owner

A profile can have several owners and managers but only one primary owner. Owners have full control, including adding or removing people and deleting the profile. Managers can do almost everything else: edit info, reply to reviews and post updates.

Our advice: make a Google Account your business controls the primary owner, and add your agency or staff as managers. Managers cannot add or remove users or delete the profile, so control stays with you. New owners and managers must wait 7 days before they can transfer primary ownership or remove other users.

Google's tips on third parties list warning signs: anyone who guarantees placement on Google, claims to work for Google without a "@google.com" email, or threatens to remove your business.

How local ranking works

Google says local results are "mainly based on relevance, distance, and popularity", and describes the factors as relevance (how well a profile matches the search), distance (how far you are from the searcher) and prominence (how well-known you are, based partly on how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have). Google says businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up, and more reviews and positive ratings can help.

Ask every customer for a review, not only the happy ones. Google does not allow offering payment, discounts or free goods for reviews, or selectively asking for positive ones. It also does not allow reviews based on a conflict of interest, such as current or former employment.

How we can help

  • Search foundations for your website: Google Analytics measurement, Google Search Console ownership, sitemap submission and index coverage, then ongoing reporting on queries, landing pages and conversions. SEO and analytics.
  • Social media, Google and Meta ads with conversion tracking, content and email, with a monthly performance report. Digital marketing.

Questions people ask

Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?

No. Google says you can add or claim your business at no charge. Third parties who manage profiles often charge a fee to manage your profile.

Can I choose to verify by postcard or phone?

No. Google says verification methods are automatically determined by Google and can't be changed. Try the options your profile shows. In some cases, Google says, you may need to use more than one.

Can someone pay Google for a better position on Maps?

No. Google says there's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking, and that third parties can't promise or directly influence your ranking through any special means.

Can Round Robin guarantee where we rank?

No. Search performance depends on competition, content quality, website condition and search-engine decisions, and rankings are not guaranteed. Tell us what is live today and what you want people to find, and we reply within one working day.

Sources

  1. Google Business Profile Help: Add or claim your Business ProfileChecked 27 October 2026
  2. Google Business Profile Help: Verify your business on GoogleChecked 27 October 2026
  3. Google Business Profile Help: Verify your business with a video recordingChecked 27 October 2026
  4. Google Business Profile Help: Request ownership of a Business ProfileChecked 27 October 2026
  5. Google Business Profile Help: Overview of Google Business Profile policiesChecked 27 October 2026
  6. Google Business Profile Help: Guidelines for representing your business on GoogleChecked 27 October 2026
  7. Google Business Profile Help: Manage your Business Profile owners & managersChecked 27 October 2026
  8. Google Business Profile Help: Tips for working with third parties to manage your Business ProfileChecked 27 October 2026
  9. Google Business Profile Help: Tips to improve your local ranking on GoogleChecked 27 October 2026
  10. Google Business Profile Help: Prohibited & restricted contentChecked 27 October 2026

Other companies change their prices and fees. Check the source before you rely on a figure.

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