How do I verify my Google Business Profile?

🌟 Why Every Church Should Verify Its Google Business Profile

(and How to Do It with a Simple Video!)

🙌 Why It’s So Important

When people search for your church on Google—whether they’re new to town or just looking for a place to worship—your Google Business Profile is often the first thing they see.

This profile shows your church’s name, location, service times, reviews, and contact info. But here’s the key: you have to verify your profile before you can manage it.

Verification tells Google, “Yes, this is our church, and we’re the ones who should manage this information.” Without it, you might not be able to correct wrong details or keep your profile up to date.

Here’s why verification matters for your church:

✨ You’re in control – You can update your hours, address, and photos anytime.

💬 You can connect – Post updates, respond to reviews, and share what’s happening at your church.

🔍 You’re easier to find – Verified churches appear higher in Google searches and on Google Maps.

🤝 You build trust – Visitors feel confident they’re finding a real, active church.

🎥 How to Verify Your Church with a Video

Google now lets you verify your church using a short video verification process. It’s easy, secure, and takes just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:

Go to google.com/business and sign in with your church’s Google account.

(Tip: Use a shared church email, not someone’s personal account!)

📹 What the Video Must Be

Before you hit record, here’s a checklist:

It must be un-edited, continuous and complete—no cuts, no splicing. Google Help
It must be at least 30 seconds long. Google Help
You must record it from a mobile device via the Google Business Profile app or interface. Google Help
Do not include sensitive info (bank details, social-security, etc.), or other people’s faces if you don’t have permission. Google Help

🏠 What to Show in the Video (for a Church with a Physical Location)

If your church has a physical location (a building people can visit), make sure your video includes:

A view of your church’s exterior: signage, building number, nearby landmarks so Google can confirm the address. Google Help
A view of the inside: maybe your sanctuary, foyer, office, or welcome desk—something that shows you’re active and present at the location.
Proof you manage or represent the church: for example, show an office space, church staff working, or access points that only staff can use. Google Help

🎥 Video Verification for a Church Meeting Inside Another Business

If your church uses a space inside another business (say, a hall inside a community centre or a storefront after hours), you’ll still need to follow the video requirements—to show location, existence, and authority—but you’ll also need to clarify how your church uses that space.

✅ What you should show in the video

Exterior of the building: show the street address, signage of the building/business, and landmarks so the location is clear.
Inside the space your church uses: show the room or space where your church meets (e.g., hall, shared-use room, worship space) and ideally show an indication that your church uses it (such as setup for worship, signage, or materials).
Proof you manage or represent the church: show some area or object that makes it clear you are authorized—such as church signage, meeting materials with your church’s name, or access to the space (key, calendar showing meeting times) for your church’s use.
Clarify the shared-use situation: Since you don’t exclusively own the building, it helps to show evidence of how your church uses the space (for example: times posted for church meetings, your church name displayed for your service, or a church meeting in progress).

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Record Your Video

On your mobile device, open Google Business Profile (go to your profile). Google Help
Tap Get verified. Google Help
Choose Business video as the verification method. Google Help
Allow access to your camera, microphone, and location if prompted. Google Help
Record your video, following the checklist above. Review it. If anything is missing, re-record. Google Help
Upload the video. Google Help
Wait for Google to review. This can take up to 5 business days. Google Help
If your video is approved → your profile is verified! 🎉 If it’s rejected, Google will tell you why and you can record a new one. Google Help