Your small business could be showing up on Google right now, but if you haven’t claimed your listing, someone else might control what people see. Learning how to claim a Google Business Profile is one of the first things you should do after launching your website. It’s free, it puts your business on Google Search and Maps, and it gives you direct control over your name, hours, photos, and reviews.
The problem? Google doesn’t always make the process obvious. Between verification methods, ownership requests, and profile management settings, it’s easy to get stuck or confused. That’s especially true if your business was automatically generated by Google or if a previous owner or agency still has access to your listing.
At Avatar Website Design, we build websites for small businesses, and we know a great website only goes so far if customers can’t find you locally. That’s why we put this guide together. Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions to claim, verify, and manage your Google Business Profile, whether you’re starting fresh or taking back control of an existing listing. Every step is based on Google’s current process as of 2026, so nothing here is outdated or recycled.
What you need before you start
Getting ready before you dive into how to claim a Google Business Profile saves you from stopping halfway through the process. The claim and verification steps move faster when everything is in front of you, and some verification methods have time limits, so you don’t want to scramble for details mid-process.
A Google account tied to your business
You need a Google account to claim or manage a Business Profile. If you already use Gmail for your business, that works fine. If not, you can create a free account at google.com before you start.
One important recommendation: use an account connected to your business, not a personal Gmail you share with family or friends. This matters because if you ever need to add a manager, transfer ownership, or contact Google Support, having a dedicated business account keeps things clean. Avoid using an account tied to a previous employee or a web agency that may no longer work with you, because getting ownership back from a third party takes extra time.
Use an email address you own and will control long-term, because transferring primary ownership later adds steps and delays your ability to respond to reviews.
Your core business information
Before you touch the Google Business Profile dashboard, collect the key details about your business. Google will ask for these during setup, and having them ready prevents errors that are frustrating to correct after the fact.
Here is what to have on hand:
- Business name exactly as it appears on your signage or legal documents
- Business address (or service area if you go to customers instead)
- Phone number with the correct local area code
- Business hours, including any differences on weekends or holidays
- Website URL if you have one live
- Primary business category, such as "Plumber," "Hair Salon," or "Bakery"
- A short business description of up to 750 characters
Your business name must match what customers see in the real world. Google’s guidelines prohibit stuffing extra keywords into the name field, so "Joe’s Plumbing Best Prices Houston" would be a violation. Keep it accurate, and you avoid risking a suspension later.
Know which verification method applies to you
Google verifies businesses in several ways, and not every method is available to every business type or location. Knowing which one applies to you in advance means you can prepare the right thing before you start the process.
| Verification Method | Typically Available To | What to Have Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or text | Many local businesses | Access to your listed phone number |
| Some business types | Access to your listed email inbox | |
| Video recording | Wide availability as of 2026 | A smartphone and access to your location |
| Live video call | Certain categories | A smartphone and a scheduled time slot |
| Postcard by mail | Businesses without other options | Your physical business address |
| Instant verification | Sites already in Google Search Console | GSC linked to the same Google account |
Video recording has become the most common method for new profiles. You record a short video showing your storefront, signage, and evidence that you operate at the location. Google’s team reviews it within a few days. Make sure your phone is charged and that you have physical access to your business location before you begin.
Step 1. Find or create your Business Profile
Before you can claim anything, you need to know whether Google already created a listing for your business or whether you are starting from scratch. Google automatically generates profiles using data from third-party directories, so there is a real chance your business is already on the map. This first step determines which path you take through the rest of the process.
Search for your business on Google
Open a browser and go to google.com/business and sign in with the Google account you plan to use for management. Once you are in the dashboard, click "Add your business to Google" and type your business name into the search field. Pay close attention to the results that appear, because Google may show you an existing profile that matches your name, address, or phone number.
If your business appears in the dropdown, do not create a new listing. Duplicate profiles split your reviews and can lead to a suspension.
If your business already appears in the results
Select the listing that matches your business from the search results. Google will display the current status of that profile, including whether it is already claimed. If the profile shows "Own this business?" or a similar prompt, no verified owner has claimed it yet, and you can move directly to Step 2.
Sometimes the listing already has outdated information, such as an old address or disconnected phone number. Do not attempt to edit those details at this stage. Claim the profile first, then make corrections once Google grants you verified ownership access.
If no listing exists yet
If your search returns no match, you will build a new profile from scratch. Type your business name exactly as it should appear publicly, then click the option to create a new business with that name. Google will walk you through a short setup sequence covering your category, location, and contact details.
Be precise when entering your business address or service area. If you travel to customers rather than operating from a fixed storefront, choose the service area option and skip the physical address field. This applies to contractors, mobile cleaners, and other businesses where knowing how to claim a Google Business Profile correctly from the start prevents verification problems later.
Step 2. Claim the profile or request access
Once you have located your listing, the next action depends on its current ownership status. Google shows you whether the profile is unclaimed or already managed by someone else, and each situation follows a different path. This step covers both scenarios so you know exactly what to click and what to expect.
If the profile is unclaimed
An unclaimed profile shows a prompt like "Own this business?" or "Claim this business" directly on the listing or in the dashboard search results. Click that prompt while signed into your business Google account. Google will ask you to confirm a few details, including your business category and contact information, before moving you to the verification step.
This part of the process is straightforward. You are not editing the profile yet; you are simply telling Google that you are the owner and want verified management access. Keep your confirmations accurate, because inconsistencies between what you enter here and what Google already has on file can slow down verification.
If someone else already owns the profile
When a profile is already claimed, Google shows a message indicating it is managed by another account. This happens most often when a previous agency, employee, or a former business partner set it up. You still have a path forward through Google’s ownership request process.
Click the option to request access. Google sends a notification to the current verified owner and gives them seven days to respond. During that window, the existing owner can approve your request, deny it, or ignore it entirely.
If the current owner does not respond within seven days, Google reviews your request and may grant you access based on your connection to the business.
To strengthen your request, make sure you are signed into a Google account associated with your business and that your profile details match publicly available records for your company. While waiting, do not attempt to create a duplicate listing. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when learning how to claim a Google Business Profile, and it often results in both listings being flagged. Patience here protects your long-term standing with Google.
Step 3. Verify ownership with the right method
Once Google confirms you have submitted your claim, verification is what actually proves you are the legitimate owner of the business. Google will present the available verification options based on your specific business type and location. You cannot skip this step, and until it is complete, your profile will remain unverified and your edits will not be fully published.
Complete the video recording method
The video recording method is the most widely available option as of 2026, and it is the one most small businesses encounter when learning how to claim a Google Business Profile. Google asks you to record a short, unedited video using your smartphone that shows your storefront, interior, and any signage confirming you operate at the listed address.
Record the video in a single continuous take without cuts, because Google’s review team looks for unedited footage to confirm authenticity.
Here is what to include in your video:
- Exterior shot of the building with a visible street number or sign
- Interior footage showing equipment, products, or the workspace
- Business signage or branded materials connecting the space to your business name
- A clear view of the surrounding area to confirm the address
Google’s review team typically processes video submissions within a few business days. You will receive an email notification once verification is approved or rejected.
Use phone, email, or postcard if video is not offered
Some businesses see alternative verification methods depending on their category or the location data already on file. If Google offers you a phone call or text, it will send a numeric code to the number listed on the profile. Enter that code in the dashboard immediately, because it expires within a short window.
Email verification works the same way: Google sends a code to the business email on file, and you enter it in your dashboard. Postcard verification takes longer, typically five to seven business days, but it remains a reliable fallback for businesses that do not qualify for faster options.
What to do if verification stalls
If your verification status shows as pending for more than a week, log back into your Google Business Profile dashboard and check for any action items or error messages. Sometimes Google needs additional confirmation before it approves the submission.
You can find current troubleshooting guidance directly at support.google.com.
Step 4. Finish setup and manage it ongoing
Once Google verifies your profile, the real work begins. Verification alone does not make your profile effective, and a bare listing with missing information sends the wrong signal to potential customers. This final step in how to claim a Google Business Profile covers what to do immediately after verification, plus the ongoing habits that keep your listing working for your business long-term.
Complete your profile information
Your verified profile needs accurate, complete details before it can compete in local search. Log into your Google Business Profile dashboard and work through every section systematically. Do not leave fields empty if Google provides them, because incomplete profiles rank lower in local results.
Here are the key fields to fill in right away:
- Business description: Write up to 750 characters focused on what you do and who you serve, without keyword stuffing
- Photos: Add at least five high-quality images including your exterior, interior, team, and products or services
- Primary and secondary categories: Choose the most specific category that fits your business, then add secondary categories for related services
- Products or services: List what you offer with accurate names and prices where applicable
- Attributes: Select relevant options such as "wheelchair accessible" or "free Wi-Fi" that apply to your location
A complete profile with photos consistently earns more clicks and direction requests than a verified profile with missing information.
Keep your profile active with regular updates
Google rewards active profiles, and the algorithm notices when businesses engage consistently with their listing. Set a realistic schedule to update your profile at least once per month, even if it is something simple like adding a new photo or posting a brief business update through the Posts feature in your dashboard.
Respond to every review you receive, both positive and negative. A timely, professional response shows potential customers that you are attentive and builds trust faster than most other actions you can take on the platform. When your hours, address, or services change, update your profile the same day to avoid frustrating customers who rely on that information before visiting your location.
Take Action: Start Managing Your Business Profile Today
You now have a complete picture of how to claim a Google Business Profile, from finding or creating your listing all the way through verification and ongoing management. The process takes less time than most small business owners expect, and the payoff is direct visibility on Google Search and Maps for customers who are already looking for what you offer.
Your next move is simple: open google.com/business today, search for your listing, and start the claim. Do not wait until your schedule clears up, because every day your profile sits unclaimed is a day a competitor captures customers you could have reached.
A strong local presence works best when it connects to a professional, well-built website behind it. If you need help getting that piece right, Avatar Website Design builds affordable, mobile-ready sites for small businesses that are ready to grow online.