Postcard verification is Google’s oldest method for confirming a business address, but it’s also the slowest — codes can take up to two weeks to arrive, and they’re easy to lose in a stack of mail. The good news is that postcard mail is no longer the only option for most businesses.
Table of Contents
This guide walks through the verification methods Google Business Profile actually offers today besides the postcard, how to see which ones are available to your listing, and what to prepare so your verification doesn’t get rejected.
Quick Answer
Sign in to the Google account that manages your listing, search your business name on Google or open it in the Google Maps app, and select “Get verified” to see your options — Google may offer phone/text, email, video recording, a live video call, or instant verification instead of a postcard. There’s no standalone Google Business Profile app to download for this; single-location businesses manage everything through Google Search or Maps, while the business.google.com dashboard is now mainly used by businesses managing multiple locations. You can’t pick freely from a menu — Google decides which methods to show based on your business category, location, and trust signals, so whatever appears is what’s available to you.
The Verification Methods Google Offers Besides Postcard
Phone or text: if this option appears, Google calls or texts your listed business number with a short code. You enter it in your profile to complete verification. This only works with a real phone line that can receive a live call or SMS — an automated attendant or IVR system won’t be able to relay the code.
Email: Google sends a verification code to an email address associated with your business (often one tied to your domain). Open the email and follow the link or enter the code in your Business Profile.
Video recording: many service-area and storefront businesses now see this as an option instead of postcard, and it’s become one of the most common methods Google offers, including as the default path for many new listings. You record a short video on your phone while signed into the Google account that manages your profile — the recording has to be filmed live and continuously, not recorded separately and uploaded or paused mid-take.
Live video call: a Google support representative meets you on a video call, during your posted business hours, and asks you to show proof you’re at the business — exterior signage, a nearby street sign or cross street, equipment, inventory, or back-office access like a register or appointment system.
Instant or automatic verification: if you’ve already verified your website’s domain through Google Search Console with the same account that manages your Business Profile, Google may verify your listing automatically with no extra steps. Businesses managing many locations may also qualify for bulk verification through a different process.
How to Check Which Options Are Available to You
There’s no standalone Google Business Profile app anymore — Google discontinued it years ago, and single-location businesses now manage their listing directly through Google Search or the Google Maps app. Sign in with the Google account that manages your listing, then either search for your business name on Google or open the Google Maps app and find your listing. Select “Get verified” (sometimes labeled “Verify now”) and Google will display whichever methods it’s willing to offer for that specific listing. The business.google.com dashboard still exists, but it’s now oriented around businesses managing multiple locations rather than everyday single-location management.
If postcard is the only option shown, it usually means your business doesn’t yet meet the trust signals Google looks for — things like a consistent name, address, and phone number across the web, or enough history/activity tied to the account. Completing your profile fully (accurate category, hours, photos, website) and making sure your business info matches what’s listed elsewhere online can sometimes unlock additional verification methods.
For video verification specifically, plan to record on a mobile device — the live, continuous recording requirement isn’t something you can satisfy from a desktop browser. For a live video call, requesting it during your actual posted business hours matters — the option often won’t appear, or the call can’t be scheduled, outside those hours.
If you’re stuck with only postcard as an option and it’s been lost or delayed, you can request another postcard from your Business Profile verification screen, or reach Google Business Profile support directly to ask about alternate verification for your situation.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Don’t edit your business name, address, category, or other core details while a verification request is pending — changes can restart the clock or invalidate the method in progress.
For video verification, film everything in one continuous take of at least 30 seconds: start outside the business showing street signs or the building number, then move inside to show signage, products, equipment, or proof of ownership like a POS system or business documents. Stopping and restarting, or submitting a pre-recorded clip, is a common reason videos get rejected.
For a live video call, treat it like an in-person inspection — have your phone charged, be at the actual business location, and know in advance what you’ll show the representative (exterior signage, interior, and something that proves you operate the business, such as a register, tools, or inventory).
Make sure the phone number or email you have listed on the profile is one you can actually access in real time before choosing phone/text or email verification — codes typically expire quickly.
If verification fails or times out, you can usually restart the process and Google may offer a different method the second time around.
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Google Business Profile verification FAQs
Can every business skip postcard verification?
No. Google decides which verification methods are shown for each listing based on factors like business category, location, and existing trust signals. Some businesses will only ever see postcard as an option, while others are offered video, phone, email, or a live video call instead.
Is there still a separate Google Business Profile app?
No. Google discontinued the standalone app years ago. Single-location businesses now manage their listing through Google Search or the Google Maps app, while the business.google.com dashboard is mainly used for managing multiple locations. Video verification is recorded live on a mobile device, not uploaded from a pre-existing file.
How long does verification take once submitted?
Most methods, including video and live video call, are typically reviewed within a few business days, though it can occasionally take longer. Postcard verification is the slowest, since delivery alone can take up to two weeks before you can even enter the code.
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Photo by Raymond Okoro on Unsplash.