Passing Google's video verification
Google increasingly verifies businesses by video instead of a postcard. It's faster when it works, and maddening when it doesn't, because a rejection rarely says what was wrong.
Updated 2026-09-15
What the recording has to be
One continuous, unedited take, at least 30 seconds, filmed live from a mobile device while signed in to the Google account that manages the profile.
That last part catches people out. You cannot film it this morning and upload it this afternoon: the recording happens inside the flow, live. A polished clip from your camera roll gets rejected for being a polished clip from your camera roll.
The three things it has to show
Where you are. Street, façade, entrance, building number, street signs, a recognisable neighbour. Google is placing you on the map, so give it the context a stranger would need.
Your signage. Your business name on a fixed, permanent sign that would be there on any normal working day. A banner hung for the video doesn't count, and it's an obvious tell.
That you actually operate there. This is the part people skip and it's the one that decides it. Unlock the door. Open the van. Get into the equipment, the tools, the stock. Film yourself doing something only whoever runs the place could do.
What gets it rejected
- People, voices or background conversation. Film in a quiet moment. No narration, however helpful it feels.
- Sensitive information in shot: bank details, tax IDs, customer paperwork, other people's faces.
- Shaky or out-of-focus footage. Frequent cause, easily avoided. Move slowly and let the phone focus.
- Poor light. Daylight or a well-lit interior.
If you work out of your house
This is the awkward case for trades, and the answer isn't to fake a storefront. Film the van with the branding, the equipment, the stock, the workspace — whatever genuinely proves the business operates from there. Dressing up a home as a shop is the fastest route to a suspension you'll spend weeks appealing.
doubts
What people usually ask
How long does the review take?
Usually a few days, but it varies. Resubmitting the same video repeatedly doesn't speed it up and can flag the profile.
Can someone else film it?
It has to be recorded from the account that manages the profile. If an agency manages your profile, they need to be on a call with you or hold access — it isn't something to hand off casually.
What if it gets rejected and I don't know why?
The usual culprits, in order: no permanent signage, nothing proving you operate there, and edited or non-live footage. Fix the most likely one and try again rather than resubmitting the same clip.
Do I need a physical sign if I'm a service area business?
Vehicle branding and equipment carry a lot of the weight here. What Google won't accept is nothing at all tying you to the place you claim to work from. Sources: [Google Business Profile Help](https://support.google.com/business/answer/14271705?hl=en), [Local Falcon](https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-google-business-profile-video-verification).