By: Chris Tabb

Verifying your business on Google My Business (GMB) is an important aspect of Local SEO. Before 2016, you could verify your listing via snail mail, phone, or email. In 2016, Google began a beta test of video verification, where you participate in a video call to verify your business.

In late 2018, the process opened to most industries, and is now available for dealerships and the automotive industry. We’re here to help you understand what that means and how it works.

HOW VIDEO VERIFICATION WORKS

To get started, log into your GMB account and choose the listing that you want to verify. From there, you’ll be able to choose the “verify now through live video chat with our operators” (as long as your listing is eligible for video verification).

Google will send email instructions to schedule your verification session with a representative via the Google Hangouts app.

You can complete a video verification with Google reps right from your workspace. You just need to give Google a view of the dealership where you work by providing a few different views of what the showroom and lot look like. If you perform service on-site, they’ll want to see your service center as well.

Quick note here: You will want to have the Google Hangouts app installed on your phone before you schedule the session. You’ll need to use the app to walk around and give the rep a virtual tour of your dealership.

WHY DOES VIDEO VERIFICATION MATTER?

This process is a lot faster than the traditional five business days via postcard. It’s also more convenient than the conventional phone call method since Google’s Phone Verification method can’t navigate an IVR menu system well.

While video verification has yet to be extensively tested for the automotive industry, it certainly has significant promise for making the GMB verification process faster and more efficient.

MAKE THE MOST OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

After your business is verified, it’s time to optimize your GMB profile. You can do this using a solution like PureCars Local Engage, on your own, or with your SEO provider.

Click here to learn more about our Local Engage technology and how it optimizes your GMB listing. You can also reach out anytime to ask questions about local SEO in general. We’re happy to help in any way we can!