You’ve probably heard that your Google Business Profile is important. Maybe you even tried to set yours up once, got stuck somewhere between uploading a blurry photo of your office door and wondering why Google wanted a video of your mailbox—and then just… moved on.
Too much going on. Too many client sessions. Not enough coffee.
Totally fair.
But, if you’re a local provider—a dietitian, therapist, coach, acupuncturist, whatever—and your profile isn’t verified, Google pretty much pretends you don’t exist. You’re not showing up when someone in your area searches for help. And even if you are showing up, you’re missing key features that make people trust you enough to click.
So, no pressure, but this matters.
The problem? Google has made the verification process unnecessarily clunky. Especially for small service-based businesses like yours. So if you’ve tried and failed (or haven’t tried yet at all), you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just stuck in the maze like the rest of us.
Let’s walk through what works. And let’s keep it simple.
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what shows up when someone searches your name or your type of service in Google Maps or search. It’s where they can:
Think of it as the tiny homepage that lives inside Google’s ecosystem. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here—just claim it, verify it, and keep it updated.
Except, of course, the “verify” part is where most people get stuck.
For a while, Google would just send you a postcard with a code. But now? It’s all about video verification. And the requirements are vague at best.
You might get a message that says something like, “Your video didn’t meet our guidelines,” and be left wondering whether you didn’t show the sign correctly, forgot to include a business card, or accidentally filmed your dog walking through the frame.
The move to video makes sense in theory—Google’s trying to reduce fake listings and spam—but it’s not exactly user-friendly for real businesses who just want to serve clients and get found online.
If you’re trying to pass the video verification step, here’s what to include:
Show the outside of your building, nearby street signs, and surrounding businesses. Think of it like giving Google a walking tour.
This could be your signage, printed materials (like business cards or brochures), licenses, or even your utility bill. Basically, anything that shows your business name and connects it to the location.
This one trips people up. If you have a key to the office or can unlock the door, show it. If it’s a home office, show your workspace setup—desk, computer, maybe you logging into your EHR or portal (blur out client info obviously).
As of early 2025, Google updated the guidelines to specifically say not to include your face in the video. Why? Who knows. But them’s the rules.
Do it all in one take. You’ll record it from the Google Maps app on your phone. Walk slowly, narrate as you go (but keep it brief), and upload it straight through the app when prompted.
You’re not alone. Plenty of people try two, three, even four times before it gets approved.
Some things to double-check if it keeps failing:
Also: after a rejection, Google will usually tell you why now (finally), so read those messages carefully before trying again.
And if you’re still stuck? It might be worth having someone do a Zoom walkthrough with you while you record. Or even paying someone local to help—if you’re in a shared space, that extra pair of eyes makes a big difference.
Yes, you can still get verified. But it’s more nuanced.
If you see clients in-person at home (and you’re okay with using your home address for business purposes), you can show your home office, some marketing materials, and the “proof of access” step.
If you’re 100% virtual and don’t want your address public, you’ll need to list yourself as a service-area business—but you still need to provide an address to Google privately.
Do not try to use a PO box, UPS box, virtual mailbox, or military address. They’ll flag it, and your profile will get suspended before it even gets going.
First of all—congrats! Seriously. This is the part most people never finish, and getting over this hurdle is a big deal.
But don’t stop there. A verified profile is only helpful if it’s active and accurate.
Here’s what to stay on top of (without turning it into a full-time job):
Speaking of reviews: start asking for them. Gently. Professionally. Always with HIPAA in mind (never acknowledge someone is a client). Even 3–5 solid reviews can improve your visibility a lot.
A lot of this might sound nitpicky. And yeah—it kind of is. But if you’re in private practice, especially in a saturated area, these little things add up.
A verified, optimized Google Business Profile:
And here’s something that doesn’t get said enough: it makes you feel more legit.
When someone Googles your name and a clean, professional profile pops up, it’s a little confidence boost. It reinforces that you’re doing this for real—and it tells potential clients the same thing.
Getting verified isn’t glamorous. It’s not the fun part of business ownership. But if you’ve been ghosting the process (or if the process has ghosted you), it’s worth revisiting. Take 20 minutes, block out some time, and record the dang video.
If you’re a private practice provider and all of this still feels overwhelming—or you’ve been stuck on the same error screen for three weeks—I offer one-time local SEO audits and monthly services for Local SEO.
Now go get verified!
Courtney Vickery, MS, RD, LD is a marketing and wellness strategist with 15+ years of experience in WordPress web design, workflow optimization, and client experience strategy.
She has served in leadership roles as a Director of Corporate Health Services, Group Fitness Program Manager, and Lead Wellness Dietitian, and built her own private practice, Vickery Wellness.
Courtney also has an extensive academic background. At the University of Georgia, she taught undergraduate nutrition courses, served as Interim Director of the Dietetic Internship, and continues to teach as needed.
She is a proud UGA alum, holding:
MS/DI in Foods & Nutrition
BS in Dietetics
BA in Political Science
With her unique blend of academic expertise, leadership experience, and design-driven strategy, Courtney helps professionals and organizations improve their systems, websites, and client experiences with clarity and confidence.
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