How to Claim a Google Business Profile: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Want to boost your local visibility and drive more customers to your business? Claiming your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is the essential first step. This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly how to claim, verify, and optimize your Google Business Profile to help your business dominate local search results.

Why Claiming Your Google Business Profile Is Essential

Before diving into the steps, let's understand why having a claimed Google Business Profile is critical:

• Increased visibility in Google Maps and local search results
• Control over your business information (hours, location, contact details)
• Better customer engagement through reviews and messages
• Valuable insights into how customers find and interact with your business
• Higher trust factor with potential customers who see verified information

According to Google, businesses with complete profiles are 70% more likely to attract location visits and 50% more likely to lead to purchases than businesses with incomplete listings.

How to Claim Your Google Business Profile in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Sign in to Google

1. Go to google.com/business.
2. Click the "Manage Now" button.
3. Sign in with your Google account (preferably the one that you want to associate with your GBP).

Tip from Diana: Always use a business email address (like info@yourbusiness.com) rather than a personal email (like johndoe@gmail.com) when setting up your Google Business Profile. This ensures that if an employee leaves or you need to transfer ownership later, the account remains associated with your business rather than tied to someone's personal email. This makes transitions smoother and prevents potential access issues.

Step 2: Search for Your Business

Enter your exact business name and address into Google or Google Maps. One of three things will happen:

1. Your business appears and is unclaimed - Perfect! Select it and proceed to verification.
2. Your business appears but is already claimed - You'll need to request access (more on this below).
3. Your business doesn't appear at all - You'll need to create a new listing by clicking "Add your business to Google."

Step 3: Claim an Unclaimed Business

If your business appears but hasn't been claimed:

1. Select your business from the search results.
2. Click "Claim this business".
3. Choose a verification method (more details in Step 5).

Step 4: Request Access to an Already Claimed Profile

If someone else has already claimed your business:

1. Click "Request Access" when you see the message that the business is already claimed.
2. Complete the ownership request form with your:
   • Full name
   • Relationship to the business
   • Contact information
3. Submit and wait for a response (typically within 3 days).

Tip from Diana: If the current manager denies your request or doesn't respond within three days, Google will provide additional options to prove your ownership.

Learn everything about how to request and grant ownership to a Google Business Profile.

Step 5: Verify Your Business

Google requires verification to confirm you're the legitimate owner. Which verification method will be available is decided by Google and may vary per location and country.

Verification options may include:

1. Postcard verification (most common)
   • Google sends a postcard with a verification code to your business address.
   • Typically arrives within 5-14 days.
   • Enter the code in your Google Business Profile dashboard.
2. Phone verification
   • Available for some businesses.
   • Receive a code via automated call or text.
   • Enter the code immediately to verify.
3. Email verification
   • Available if you have a business email already associated with Google.
   • Receive a verification link via email.
4. Instant verification
   • Available if your business website is already verified with Google Search Console
   • No additional steps required.
5. Video verification
   • For specific business categories.
   • Submit a video during which you prove that your business exists at the given location and that you have manager rights (open cash register, enter a staff-only area, etc.).
   • Schedule a video call with a Google representative, who will confirm your location (new).

Important: You can manage some aspects of your profile before verification is complete, but your profile won't be visible until verification is successful. Even if you request ownership from the current owner, you will most likely need to verify your GBP again!

Learn in detail about how to verify your Google Business Profile.

How to Claim Multiple Locations at Once

For businesses with 10+ locations, Google offers a bulk verification process that can save significant time.

1. Create a location spreadsheet:
   • Download Google's location template from your dashboard
   • Fill in all required information for each location (name, address, phone, category, etc.)
   • Ensure data is consistent and formatted correctly
2. Upload through the bulk management tool:
   • Log in to your Google Business Profile dashboard
   • Click on "Add location" then select "Import locations"
   • Upload your completed spreadsheet
   • Review for any validation errors and correct them
3. Submit for bulk verification:
   • Once your spreadsheet passes validation, Google will review your locations
   • Prepare business documentation that proves you're authorized to manage all locations
   • This typically includes business registration documents, signed authorization letter on company letterhead, or domain email verification
4. Complete the verification process:
   • Google typically reviews bulk verification requests within 1-2 weeks (may vary)
   • You may be contacted for additional documentation
   • Once approved, all locations will be verified simultaneously

Pro Tip for Franchises and Chains: If you manage 100+ locations, Google offers an API-based solution that allows for automated location management. This requires developer resources but provides the most efficient way to manage large numbers of locations.

How to Avoid Duplicate Profiles When Bulk Claiming GBPs

Yes, duplicates can happen - especially during bulk uploads - if you're not careful. Common causes include inconsistent business names or addresses, uploading locations that already exist in Google Maps, or multiple people managing listings without coordination.

How to Avoid Duplicates:

• Search Google first to check if a location already exists before uploading
• Use consistent formatting for names, addresses, and phone numbers
• Clean up your spreadsheet - remove outdated or duplicate entries
• After uploading, check the dashboard for duplicate alerts and resolve them
• If you find a duplicate, either claim and merge it or flag it for removal
• Ensure that you remove the duplicate profile from your GBP manager so you don't edit the wrong profile.

Local SEO Impact and Timeline for Results

Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile is just the beginning of your local SEO journey. While some benefits (like appearing in Maps) happen almost immediately after verification, the full SEO impact builds over time as you:

1. Complete all profile sections
2. Gather and respond to reviews
3. Post regular updates
4. Add photos and videos
5. Answer questions

Most businesses see improved local search visibility within 1-3 months of consistent optimization, though some results may take up to 6 months. That's why we recommend using Obenan tools for at least one year - to confidently track progress and achieve lasting results. Local SEO isn't a one-time fix; it requires ongoing effort and long-term commitment.

10 Essential Optimization Tips After Claiming Your Profile

Once you've successfully claimed your Google Business Profile, maximize its impact with these optimization strategies!

1. Complete every section of your GBP (even the optional ones)
2. Choose the right primary category and add relevant secondary categories
3. Add high-quality photos (businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions according to Google)
   • Exterior shots (storefront, building, signage)
   • Interior shots (ambiance, decor, workspace)
   • Product/service photos
   • Team photos
4. Write a keyword-rich business description that includes:
   • Your location (city, neighborhood)
   • Primary services or products
   • Unique selling points
   • Brief company history
5. Add special attributes relevant to your business:
   • Accessibility features
   • Payment methods
   • Amenities (WiFi, outdoor seating)
   • COVID-19 safety measures
6. Create Google Posts weekly:
   • Special offers or promotions
   • Events
   • Product highlights
   • Business updates
7. Respond to every review -- positive or negative
8. Answer questions in the Q&A section (and add your own FAQs)
9. Set up messaging to communicate directly with customers
10. Regularly update your information:
    • Business hours (including holiday hours)
    • Special services
    • Temporary closures

Learn more in detail how to optimize your GBP and maximize the number of customers that find your business online!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keyword stuffing your business name or description
• Creating multiple listings for the same business
• Neglecting to respond to reviews and questions
• Letting your profile sit incomplete after verification

Conclusion: Your First Step to Local Search Position #1

Claiming your Google Business Profile is the foundation of effective local SEO. It puts you in control of how your business appears to potential customers and provides multiple touchpoints for engagement.

Remember that Google Business Profile optimization isn't a one-time task - it's an ongoing process. The most successful businesses regularly update their information, post content, respond to reviews, and adapt to changes in Google's features and algorithm.

If you're having trouble claiming your Google Business Profile—or if you’re new to how Obenan helps local businesses attract more customers through automated local SEO—feel free to reach out. We're here to help anytime.