Google My Business / Google Business Profile - unable to verify

[S Isaac]

Hi, I've had a GMB profile for years. I then tried to change address when I moved my registered office (was registered at accountants for the GMB too). However, this seems to have clashed with the change over from GMB to GBP and them wanting me to vitrify my business by filming it from the street and me walking into the building with proof I operate from there. I obviously can't do this, but can't seem to fully access all features of GBP due to not being verified.

I'm happy to remove the address entirely and run as an online business only (for the purpose of GBP), but am concerned that this will then screw up citations/NAP.

Is this the case, or am I mixing up different things and getting myself confused?

 

[fisicx]

You are getting confused.

Why can’t you verify the address?

If you don’t have a location Google can find then you can’t have a GBP.

If you plan to go online only you don’t need a GBP. A GBP is for businesses with a physical address and who service a defined location.

 

[S Isaac]

So do I just lose my google profile entirely if I don't have a location customers can come to?

That would be a shame as I'm told it's great for ranking (in it's own right).

You are getting confused.

Why can’t you verify the address?

If you don’t have a location Google can find then you can’t have a GBP.

If you plan to go online only you don’t need a GBP. A GBP is for businesses with a physical address and who service a defined location.

 

[fisicx]

That’s correct. You don’t have to accept visitors but you do need an address Google can identify.

I’ve been using my home address for years. It’s never been an issue, didn’t even need to verify.

You can the elect to hide the address but this isn’t always a good idea.

Not sure what you mean by ranking. GBP is only relevant to the map pack. It has no value outside of this.

 

[S Isaac]

I don't want my address out in public, but I do still have my registered office at my accountants.

So do I just change it to that and amend all citations to that address too?

 

[fisicx]

Sort of. But people check up on addresses and if they see your accountant you could lose a lot of business.

If these citations are from directories they aren’t worth anything.

Doesn’t seem like your business needs a GBP.

 

[Will S]

I'm not sure what business you have but you are allowed a Google Business Profile if you are a service area based business who only visit local customer's in their home but don't have a premises for customer's to visit. You hide your address and can still rank locally although it is often more difficult.

 

[S Isaac]

Yeah, I was hoping to keep the profile.

Unfortunately, it seems to be stuck in limbo. It's not verified, and I can't verify it as the only option it's giving me is to film the building and entry to it etc showing it's where I operate from. But that's the only option it gives me. As a result, there's lots of changes it won't let me make.

At the same time, it's not a suspended listing either, so I'm completely lost as to what to do next. I don't want to risk suspension/penalty etc.

 

[fisicx]

Just change it to your home address. Keep it simple.

 

[S Isaac]

I can't.

I've also already chosen the 'hide address' but address still shows, so it may end up showing my address if I change it over.

And then all the NAP/citations will be wrong too.

I really do hate Google at times.

 

[fisicx]

On the other hand, GBP is free so you can’t really complain about the rules.

All Google wants to do is verify the address on the account. If you can’t do that then GBP isn’t for you.

If you have an online business do you even need a GBP?

 

[AlanJ1]

Just change it to your home address. Keep it simple.

Agree with this from reading all the posts.

 

[S Isaac]

That's the problem, it won't let me change the address at all. It's 'forcing' me to verify video video, which I can't do, and gives no other options.

 

[fisicx]

That's the problem, it won't let me change the address at all. It's 'forcing' me to verify video video, which I can't do, and gives no other options.

Can’t you go to the address and take the video?

 

[S Isaac]

Can’t you go to the address and take the video?

No, as they want a video of a 'shop front' or proof I operate from the business. It's the registered office with my accountant, so I can't give them what they want. But as a result, I can't change anything, it's just daft.

 

[fisicx]

No it’s not daft at all. GMB isn’t for businesses like yours. If you don’t have a shop or a location from you operate then you don’t meet the criteria for a listing.

It’s all clearly defined in the terms you agreed to.

 

[S Isaac]

It's daft that it won't let me change it to comply with their terms!

 

[fisicx]

It's daft that it won't let me change it to comply with their terms!

You can change it. You just need to verify the new address with a video.

As an online business Google just needs to be sure you are operating within the UK. If your business isn't local then GMB isn't applicable.

There isn't an way to get round this. It's Google's trainset so they make the rules.

 

[Peacecloud Ltd]

I've had an issue with that, just says business doesn't exist even though I'm trying to create one on there, strange

 

[S Isaac]

You can change it. You just need to verify the new address with a video.

As an online business Google just needs to be sure you are operating within the UK. If your business isn't local then GMB isn't applicable.

There isn't an way to get round this. It's Google's trainset so they make the rules.

No, I can't that's the point. It's stuck. I can't make the listing a non shopfront location without verifying it with a video. The video has to be of a shopfront. Hence going around in circles!

 

[fisicx]

Which means a GMB isn't an option for you.

You are an online business. You don't serve a specific location so GMB isn't applicable.

 

[S Isaac]

And that's what I can't amend................

 

[UKSBD]

Which means a GMB isn't an option for you.

You are an online business. You don't serve a specific location so GMB isn't applicable.

The irony of this is that Google crawl through the web and create listings based on information that they find and then the business owner struggles to correct any missinformation.

 

[TrackStars]

Just come across this site and this thread as I'm currently in Google Hell too. Similar to OP, change of address has caused huge problems and resulting now in my Google Ads being stopped as unable to clear verification. Support ticket with Google now 4 weeks old and absolutely no help forthcoming. Literally crippling my business with an inability to advertise.

 

[fisicx]

Are you able to verify the address @TrackStars?

A change of address is normally a simple process. You make the update, upload the verification video and it's job done.

It also highlights the reliance on a single marketing channel. You always need more than one source of traffic.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Or, you open a second location until that is confirmed, then close the initial one?

 

[Paul Carmen]

@TrackStars You can verify a Google Business Profile with a video now; this enables you to rank in any town/location. So creating a new GBP listing isn't the issue it once was: https://support.google.com/business...f-my-business-doesnt-have-a-physical-location

Not sure what your Google Ads issue is, but verifying your trading details in Google Ads isn't the same as a GBP listing verification.

This is checking your advertiser details against your limited company details; e.g. website, companies house etc. If you don't have these then you're not a business as such (sole trader) and should be registered as an individual, trading as XYZ.