What it is
Video verification is Google checking your business is real. You film a short video on your phone, upload it through your profile, and Google reviews it before your profile goes live.
Google picks which verification methods it offers you. For new trade profiles, that’s often video. There’s no way to request a different method, so it pays to get it right first time.
Why it matters
Until you’re verified, your profile doesn’t show up. No Maps, no calls, no jobs from Google.
Every failed attempt costs you days of waiting. And with Google suspending more profiles than ever, a sloppy video invites extra scrutiny you don’t want.
How to do it
- Open your profile in Google Search or Maps and choose video verification.
- Film one continuous take, 1 to 2 minutes long. No edits, no cuts, no stitched clips.
- Show where you are. A street sign, a nearby landmark, or the entrance to your unit.
- Show the business. Your van with its signage, your tools, your stock, your workwear.
- Show you’re in charge. Unlock the van or workshop on camera, or show paperwork with the business name on it. Cover any personal details first.
- Upload it and wait. Google usually comes back within a few days.
That’s the whole job: location, business, and proof it’s yours. Google needs all three in one video.
Mistakes to avoid
- Don’t edit the video. One continuous take, or it gets rejected.
- Don’t film only the van. Google needs location, business, and proof you run it. Miss one and you fail.
- Working from home? Film the van, tools, and paperwork. You don’t need to show your front door.
- Don’t create a second profile after a failed attempt. Both get banned. Fix the one you have.
Do this now
Do a practice run today. Park up, charge your phone, and film the lot in one take: street sign, van, tools, paperwork. Watch it back. If a stranger could tell it’s your business from that video, record the real one in the verification screen.
Updated July 2026 · All lessons