Google my business verification WITHOUT postcard?

54 replies
  • SEO
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Google does not give a definitive answer as to how I can verify a business in GMB without postcards. It says that some businesses MAY be eligible for phone/email verification. Also, some businesses MAY be eligible for instant GMB verification through Search Console. But there's no definitive answer.

I remember reading somewhere that this workaround can be useful:
  • Create listings on business directories such as YP, CitySearch and Yelp.
    Google will then automatically create a Maps listing for your business using that information, within 24-48 hrs.
    Verify that Maps listing with your website's Search Console email address. This way, you (probably) won't need postcard verification.

How would you go about verifying a business in GMB without postcards?
#business #google #postcard #verification
  • Profile picture of the author 4biznatch
    I actually never found a way to get around this and in this situation big G creates undue stress imho.
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  • They do not allow verification now without postcards.
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    • Profile picture of the author abhayhendre
      Actually they do (for select businesses). I'm just not able to find what exactly they mean by "select businesses".
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    • Profile picture of the author Jon Finch
      Not true. I have listed two GMB listings with no verification (this was last month).
      Then the third one I tried it asked for verification.
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      • Profile picture of the author MadsenRetreat
        Can you help me out with this matter? how to verify that without postcard
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  • Profile picture of the author skylikemake
    it's impossible, because google needs to verify your actual adress somehow
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  • Profile picture of the author zyllion
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    • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
      Hello mate - care to pm me with your solution:

      "...it is possible, i can verify any listing anywhere without sending a postcard..."
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      • Profile picture of the author david83
        have you found a way to get listings out yet
        i too am looking
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    • Profile picture of the author david83
      i am interested in how you can still verify any listing anywhere does your method still work and if so are you willing to either do listings or sell method
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  • Profile picture of the author AnthonyMancuso
    I have heard people talk about this though it seems like a bigfoot sighting.

    I've never been able to personally get a method to verify a google my business account WITHOUT a postcard.

    That said, there are plenty of ways and workarounds to getting an actual address that you can have the postcard sent to without using your home address (I do this all the time).

    You just have to get creative, there are people all over the internet looking to make an extra buck, you just have to get creative and find them. I'm sure you can think of some ways =).

    Also, just so there's no confusion what I'm talking about is definitely gray/blackhat as the business is not actually located there. The listing could possibly get taken down in the future so this is just a question of what your risk tolerance is?

    Personally, I'm fine with that.

    Who knows though...maybe there are people out there who know how to get the phone number verification. Not me though
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  • Profile picture of the author neal patel
    Nowadays verification through postcard is mandatory. I recently do a business listing for my business. Google sent postcard to business address within a week.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jon Finch
      Don't tell lies, Neal. Just because you tried it once and failed, doesn't mean the postcard is mandatory in all cases for everyone.

      I have three GMBs now (my main one, and two additional cities even though Google didn't ask for any verification at all).

      Third additional location I tried (in the same day), Google asked for verification.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
        How did you manage that? If I may be so bold, , , I tried using a different category and while it allowed me a phone verification, within 24 hours I was unverified and without any other choice than postcard verification.

        The issue is that there is no physical address I can use.
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  • Profile picture of the author rosshouser
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    • Profile picture of the author neal patel
      recently for which business google offered you phone verification?
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      • Profile picture of the author rosshouser
        [DELETED]
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        • Profile picture of the author neal patel
          cool. for my business, Google sent me a postcard for verification.
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  • Profile picture of the author robertosburn
    Your google my business get verified only through postcard.
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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    When Google crawls thru citation lists and finds enough consistency across the lists, they often allow email or phone verification + the postcard option. This does not apply to new businesses for whom it is postcard only. If u apply and don't receive a card u may be allowed the option of video verification in certain niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author jacksonsophia086
    No, you cannot without a post card
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    • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
      Certain businesses that were crawled by G back in the day have the option to be verified without a postcard - email or phone verification, I did 1 a few days ago, so it is possible, but definitely not for new listings.
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  • Profile picture of the author neal patel
    by doing the listing on business directories, Google will automatically list your business is the new thing I learned. we should give it a try.
    thanks man for sharing this
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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    Citations are critically important for local listings - however this does not mean that you will bypass postcode verification.
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  • Profile picture of the author neal patel
    sorry to say that, but I recently talked with one digital marketing expert in my circle and he told me that by doing a listing on other directories except for Google, it won't automatically list your business on Google as one member posted above.

    we have to do it manually on google and verification process is a must.
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  • Profile picture of the author bestwebsolca
    You have asked absolutely right topic and nowadays it is a huge problem we have faced. But GMB verification without postcards is not possible.
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    • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
      Phone or email verification is possible if Google gives you the option
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  • Profile picture of the author Wingsofsuccess1
    GMB verification is DEFINITELY possible without a postcard. I have a guy who does it for me for $260 per business. Kind of expensive but worth it if you're using it for local seo
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    • Profile picture of the author rosshouser
      [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author toysoldier80
    I guess my only question is why would you not be able to receive a postcard so your business is verified with google. Meaning what would warrant you not receiving it? Besides being good for SEO, it makes your business Legit. Isn't one of the verification methods for your business to receive the postcard at the business it is going to be listed as and then have you phone in to verify. This is a 100% effective way for them to list businesses at the correct location.
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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    Some parts of towns cannot receive post at the physical address - this is a real problem for many business owners
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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    I live in a very busy small town in remote Central Australia and certain parts of the industrial district do not receive post at the physical address which pretty much eliminates many businesses from getting GMB verified by postcard. This is by no means a unique situation. There is the video verification method for certain business niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author medicaldentalseo
    I have had a few phone verify but I dont know what made it possible. The only times I have consistently seen it is for business where there was already a listing that had simply not been claimed. I would love to learn how though just for speed. Google is not always good about always sending the post card although they have gotten better.
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  • Profile picture of the author stone2010
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  • Profile picture of the author simplio
    I also don't knot know that is there any option to verify GMB without postcard. This is the only way right now.
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  • Profile picture of the author fastreplies
    Originally Posted by abhayhendre View Post

    Google does not give a definitive answer as to how I can verify a business in GMB without postcards. It says that some businesses MAY be eligible for phone/email verification. Also, some businesses MAY be eligible for instant GMB verification through Search Console. But there's no definitive answer.
    Because there is really more that 1 way for G. to gain information.

    One no one have mentioned website's Contact or About Us pages.
    Good Contact page would have A to Z info that would completely
    comply with G. requirements making need to have "postcard" vain.



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    • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
      Has this been your experience as well?

      So from what you say, those businesses that do not have website have had to be able to postcard verify. . .

      right? There is No other way?
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      • Profile picture of the author fastreplies
        Originally Posted by Mary Jimenez View Post

        So from what you say, those businesses that do not have website have had to be able to postcard verify. .
        Where is your logic?
        Why would people without websites need postcard in a first place?



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        • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
          That is my question. How do these people verify/get their listings published. . . You see, my current client wants to appear on maps and does not want websites built...
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          • Profile picture of the author medicaldentalseo
            Originally Posted by Mary Jimenez View Post

            That is my question. How do these people verify/get their listings published. . . You see, my current client wants to appear on maps and does not want websites built...

            There are many business' without websites they just want to have their phone number in maps. you will absolutely need a postcard. But even if they are working from home they can get the postcard there and mark it as a service area business if they do not want to show their address.
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          • Profile picture of the author fastreplies
            Originally Posted by Mary Jimenez View Post

            That is my question. How do these people verify/get their listings published. . . You see, my current client wants to appear on maps and does not want websites built...
            Okay then, G. and other crawlers are scraping any YP there is
            and that would be sure thing to get listed. Hard thing is get out.



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            • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
              I see. It helps a lot. He's actually asking to have 10 listing a month done on google maps, verified and all without verifications. I have been having a hard time dealing with that, as I thought I was inept.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
    I saw that Google allows for photograph verification. . . In its help area states that if the postcard does not arrive, then you should fill a form in which they ask to send pictures of the business itself. This client I am speaking about (whom I am close to firing) does not want to provide me with the photos and asks me to get them from the internet.

    Has anyone done anything similar? If so, did it go well?
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    • Profile picture of the author fastreplies
      Originally Posted by Mary Jimenez View Post

      This client I am speaking about (whom I am close to firing) does not want to provide me with the photos and asks me to get them from the internet.
      This is ridiculous. Photos from horses mouth he is obliged to provide, really?
      What's next, he's going to ask you to pay him for the privilege to serve him?



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      • Profile picture of the author Mary Jimenez
        Thank you! I thought I was too demanding. . . I really thought I asked and expected too much from him.

        I thank you for your comment. gave me a lot of light and guidance
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  • Profile picture of the author NateOlsen
    It definitely is an option. Many clients we have created didn't ask for any type of verification and instantly verified them when we submitted them. I see lots of things that determine it! I did a test run and was successful with mimicking it with multiple listings and enabled phone, email verification vs post card.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janvi Arora
    Recently, I have verified one my FMCG client's business over a phone call. The other way is "Postcard Verification" which Google mostly prefer. I haven't tried any other methods.
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  • Profile picture of the author stephenchong
    Google is not allowing verification without a postcard as this is a correct way of find the exact business location.
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    • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
      Google does not strictly speaking allow verification without postcard but there are (black hat) hacks
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      • Profile picture of the author fastreplies
        Originally Posted by G00GLESLAPPED View Post

        Google does not strictly speaking allow...
        Are you telling us that we have to ask G. for permission?
        What about asking G. when We should going to sleep?
        Or how to make love, or how many children we may have?

        Are you so eager to listen and follow what your parents are telling
        you to do as much as you're willing your to obey what your own
        success ever worse enemy Google is dictating you to do?



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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    Yup, pretty much!
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  • Profile picture of the author MadsenRetreat
    Hi,
    I did it and its not working. Actually, it's not possible without postcard.For verification, there must be required Postcard. Its my practical experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ash2994
    it's impossible because Google needs to verify your actual address by postcard.otherwise your business is not shown in the local SEO. It might happen your business had listed these businesses don't have to need to verify by postcard
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    • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
      Incorrect - I verified a bunch this week and EVERY week WITHOUT postcard
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