How to create and verify Google Business Profile (GBP) profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a tool that helps you manage how your business appears in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Reviews. It is super helpful for ensuring that the correct information about your business appears on both pages, making it less likely that you will lose a customer to your competition.
NOTE:
Birdeye doesn't directly handle claiming or unsuspending your GBP, but we provide step-by-step guidance to help you claim or unsuspend your GBP. Check out our help center article: What to do if your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing gets suspended?
Creating Google Business Profile (GBP)
If you don’t have a GBP page, you can create one by following the below steps.
Create an account and log in to the Google Account that is associated with your business. Don’t have a Google Account? Create one.
Go to google.com/business. Click the ‘Get started’ button in the top right corner.
Enter your business name and click ‘Continue.’
Choose the business type. You can also select all or multiple options that apply to your business and click ‘Next.’
Enter a business category and click ‘Next.’
NOTE:
Be as specific as you can when choosing a category. For example, choose ‘Chinese Restaurant’ over just 'Restaurant.’ You can’t create your own category (there’s a drop-down menu to select from). You can broaden your choice if you don’t see the category you’re looking for.
Enter the areas where your business offers deliveries or home and office visits. This information appears on your Business Profile and is optional, depending on your business category. For example, software services typically do not require location-based visits.
Enter the contact details and click ‘Next.’
Click ‘Continue’ to put your business on the map, which will help you get discovered by people in your area, respond to reviews for your business, and manage your business details across Google.
Verifying Google Business Profile (GBP)
Congrats! You have a GBP page, but you won’t be able to edit your business info in Google until you’ve verified your business. After creating your GBP, you will be prompted to verify your business profile. Enter your mailing address to verify and click ‘Next.’ You can also opt in to ‘Verify Later.’
The verification options available to your business are based on factors like your business category, public info, region, or business hours. Your verification options can’t be changed because Google’s systems automatically determine and show which methods your business can use.
Methods to Verify Your Business:
- By Mail/Postcard
- By Video Recording
- By Phone or Text
- By Email
- By Video Call
For detailed steps on each verification method, visit the Google Business Profile Help page.
After you follow the verification steps, Google reviews the information you provided. A verification review can take up to five business days to help maintain the integrity of your business profile.