Get the Basics Right
Claim and verify your Google Business Profile
If you haven’t claimed your listing, someone else (a competitor, an old employee, even a scammer) TECHNICALLY could.
Verification proves to Google that you’re the real owner, which unlocks the ability to edit your info, respond to reviews, and post updates.
How to do it:
- Search your business name on Google Maps or business.google.com
- Click “Claim this business” if it’s unclaimed, or “Manage now” if it shows as yours already
- Verify by phone, email, or postcard (Google will tell you which options you qualify for)
- Once verified, you have full control of the profile
PS: Most businesses already have this step done, so you don’t really have to worry about it, but if you’re not sure whether your listing is already claimed by someone on your team, check with whoever originally set up your Google account for the business before starting a new claim, duplicate claims cause headaches.