1. What is the validation of a Google Business Profile?
In order to appear in Google's search results, your listing must be "validated" by Google; that is, the search engine must ensure that the listing corresponds to an existing Business and that the person who wants to manage it is indeed its representative.
2. When must a listing be validated?
Google may require a listing to be validated at different times:
At the creation of the listing — in the absence of bulk account validation: https://help.partoo.co/en/articles/7906906-bulk-verification-for-google-what-are-the-conditions-and-how-does-it-work
After transfer of ownership or administration of the listing
After a suspension or deactivation of the listing
After modifying sensitive information on the Google listing: https://help.partoo.co/en/articles/10841983-what-is-considered-sensitive-information-on-a-google-listing-and-how-can-i-edit-it-to-avoid-risks-to-its-status
To be able to validate, you must have owner or administrator access directly on the relevant Google listing.
If this is not the case and Partoo manages your Google listing, please contact your Partoo administrator or our Support team.
If this is not the case and Partoo does not manage your Google listing, you must follow the instructions in the following article: https://www.partoo.co/en/online-presence/google-my-business/listing/recover/
3. What are the different validation methods available?
The validation method describes the channel through which Google will allow the listing to be validated and thus make the listing and its information visible to Google users.
There are several methods:
Some are available directly on Partoo (SMS, call, email, postal mail) from our Web platform and Mobile App.
Others are available from your Google account only (live video call and video recording).
In Partoo, you can identify listings that have validation issues
Log in to your Partoo account.
Click on the avatar at the top right of your page.
Select "Settings⚙️", then click on "Platforms" and then on "Google validation".
You will then arrive on the page that lists the Google listings requiring validation in order to be published.
Click the "Validate" button at the end of the row corresponding to the listing you wish to validate.
Select the available validation method, or the one of your choice if there are several.
The method(s) offered are determined by Google and must be tested before requesting a new validation method from Google support.
a) Methods available on Partoo
The validity period of codes for methods available from Partoo depends on the method used.
1. SMS
If you use the SMS validation method, the code is valid for 30 minutes. After this period, the code will have expired and you will need to send a new code.
2. Phone call
If you use the phone validation method, the code is valid for approximately 2 minutes. After this period, the code will have expired and you will need to make a new call.
Phone validation will only work if the phone number redirects to a direct line.
3. Email
If you use the email validation method, the code is valid for five days. After this period, the code will have expired and you will need to send a new one.
4. Postal mail.
If you use the postal mail validation method, the code is valid for 30 days. There is a minimum five-day delay for receiving the code. After this period, the code will have expired and you will need to send a new code.
Please note that this validation method is increasingly less used by Google's teams.
b) Methods available on Google only
Before starting a verification with methods available on Google only, make sure that:
You are physically on site in the Business.
You have access to the Google listing or can obtain it.
You have a smartphone to make the video requested by Google.
Once these checks have been made, here is the procedure to validate your Business's Google listing by recording or video call:
On your smartphone, sign in to your Google account from which you manage your Business's Google listing.
In Google's search bar, type "My Business" and run your search.
The listings you manage appear on the page; if you have several, click "View listing" opposite the Business you want and need to validate.
Then click the "Validate" button.
In some cases, Google may ask for a phone number; if so, provide it and click "Next".
Then select the available verification method, click "Next" and read the instructions.
1️⃣ You are on site and you already have access to the Google listing
✅ You can start the verification immediately:
Go to Settings > Status & verification
Click Verify listing
Confirm that you are on site
Indicate that you have access to the listing
Access the instructions and QR code
Carry out the video verification
2️⃣ You are on site but you do not have access to the Google listing
➡️ You can request access directly from Partoo :
Click Verify listing
Indicate that you are on site
Indicate that you do not have access to the listing
Sync a Google account (or select one already connected)
Send an access request to an administrator
📩 You will be notified by email when the request is accepted or declined.
3️⃣ You are not on site
🚫 Video verification is not possible remotely.
You will need to be physically present at the point of sale to continue.
4️⃣ You receive an invitation to verify a listing
An administrator can invite you to verify a listing:
Open the invitation email and click on the link
Sign in to Partoo
Sync a Google account (if needed)
Partoo automatically handles the Google invitation
Access the instructions and QR code
Carry out the video verification
Depending on the method offered (video recording or video call), go directly to the section that applies to you later in this article.
1. Video recording
What are Google’s requirements for video?
It must be a single continuous video.
Capture external signs proving the location of your Business (if you have one). This could include your street name, neighboring businesses, or the area around your business.
Show your equipment to prove your category of activity. This may include items for sale, marketing materials, and tools you use to serve your customers.
To prove you are authorized to manage your Business, record yourself accessing employee-only items or areas. This could include, for example, a cash register, a kitchen, a storage room, or non-sensitive business documents. You can also use your keys to open your Business.
FAQs
My business does not have a physical location; how can I proceed with video upload verification?
The video must include the equipment you use for your activity (vehicle with your branding, marketing materials with your branding, workspace, tools and equipment, KBIS, invoices, or other documents bearing your company name).
I have already uploaded a video, but Google asks me to do it again. What should I do?
If you have already uploaded a video but Google asks you to do it again, it means your video was not accepted. Please create a new video and ensure it meets all requirements (consider adding additional evidence and examples).
I created a video, but it cannot be uploaded. What should I do?
Be patient and try uploading your video again. In many cases, it will work on the second attempt!
Prepare your video
It should be a continuous recording (under 2 minutes) in which you must show the following:
The location of your Business: film exterior signs such as your street name, nearby establishments, or the surroundings of your Business.
The Business or the equipment used to present your activity. This may include items for sale, equipment in your name (van with logo, etc.), marketing materials (business cards, flyers, posters, etc. with the Business name as it appears on your listing), or tools you use to meet your customers’ needs.
Proof that you manage the Business. To show you are authorized to represent your Business, film yourself accessing employee-only materials or areas. This includes, for example, a cash register, a kitchen, a storage room, or non-sensitive business documents. You can also use your keys to open the front door.
Create and upload your video
Resume the process where you left off. After choosing the verification method, click "Next" then "Start recording" and finally scan the QR code displayed with your phone.
If you don't have your computer nearby, go to Google from your phone, type "mon entreprise" in the search bar and run the search. You will then see your Google fiche.
Then click the "Validate" button and "Record a video"
To start recording, click "Start recording" and record the video, making sure to film the items mentioned in the preparation
Then click "Stop recording" and "Import the video"
Once the video is imported, Google allows up to 7 days to verify it. If your Business listing is validated, you will receive a notification.
2. Live video call
This is a live video call with a Google support agent. It takes place on Google Meet. This option can only be used between 9:00 and 17:00 (Central European Time - CET).
This method is only offered after a request has been sent to Google support, which activates this method for a period of 15 days.
What to do if validation fails?
If after several attempts you still cannot validate your Business fiche, you can contact our Support team directly via chat or contact Google support: https://help.partoo.co/en/articles/11985724-how-to-contact-google-support-for-an-issue-with-google-business-profile
4. Bulk verification.
For networks of more than 10 businesses that meet certain criteria (same name, same categories...), it is possible to proceed with a bulk verification, which will allow multiple fiches to be validated at once.
Obtaining bulk verification of your account does not prevent Google from asking you to verify listings using one of the methods described above.