When managing your business's online presence, claiming and verifying your business listings are two essential steps. Here's the difference:
| Aspect | Claiming | Verifying |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Take ownership of the listing | Confirm business legitimacy |
| Control Level | Limited | Full |
| Features Unlocked | Basic info updates | Advanced tools like analytics and reviews |
| Impact on Trust | Moderate | High |
Claiming is the first step to control your listing, but verification is what secures it and maximizes its potential. Both are crucial for building a strong online presence.
Claiming your business listing is the first step in taking control of how your business appears online. It means officially verifying that you are the owner, giving you the power to manage your business's information on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Bing [4]. This step ensures that your business is accurately represented and helps you prevent misinformation from misleading potential customers.
Without claiming your listing, incorrect details - often added by third parties - can harm your reputation and drive customers away. Taking ownership allows you to eliminate these risks and establish a reliable online presence.
While the exact process might differ slightly depending on the platform, the general steps are straightforward. For Google Business Profile, start by searching for your business name and address. If the listing already exists, click "Claim this business." If it doesn’t, you can create a new listing.
On Yelp, search for your business, locate the correct page, and click the "Claim your business" button. The process is free and only takes a few minutes [5]. Most platforms will ask for basic contact details - like a business phone number or email address - to verify your connection to the business.
Once you've claimed your listing, you can update critical details like your hours, address, phone number, and even add photos [5]. This is crucial because most users - 75%, to be exact - don’t go beyond the first page of search results [2]. A well-maintained listing ensures your business stands out.
Businesses with complete listings, including photos, a website, and accurate hours, see much higher engagement. For instance, businesses on Yelp with robust profiles receive 7.6× more page views per month compared to those without [5]. Adding just three or more photos within a day of claiming your listing can also boost page views by 2.2×, according to Yelp's 2021 data [5].
Claiming your listing also lets you interact directly with customers. You can respond to reviews and answer questions, which helps build trust. With 88% of consumers relying on online reviews to make decisions, this level of engagement can significantly impact your business's reputation [3].
Once you've claimed your business listing, the next step is verification. This process confirms that you are the legitimate owner and that your business is authentic and operates from the stated location [8]. Without verification, your control over the listing will be limited, and potential customers might question your credibility. Verification acts as a safeguard, ensuring that only genuine businesses maintain an online presence, which helps protect both businesses and consumers from fraud. Now, let’s look at how you can verify your listing.
The methods available for verification depend on your business type, location, and the data platforms already have. For instance, Google determines which options you can use automatically [1]. Here are some common verification methods:
The availability of these methods varies depending on factors like your business hours, region, and how much public data is already associated with your business [6][1].
Verification isn’t just a formality - it’s essential. Verified businesses are twice as likely to be seen as trustworthy by users [7]. It also prevents unauthorized individuals from claiming your listing, shielding your business from potential fraud [7]. This is particularly important in light of growing concerns: 87% of Americans worry about AI being used in scams, and 55% believe scams are becoming more frequent [9].
Once verified, you gain full control of your listing. This means you can update information, upload photos, post updates, respond to reviews, and access insights [7]. These features are key for maintaining an active and engaging online presence.
Verification also impacts search visibility. Search platforms often prioritize verified listings, meaning unverified businesses might struggle to appear in search results. Considering that 99% of Americans read reviews before making a purchase and 92% value positive reviews [9], having a verified listing can significantly influence your growth.
Lastly, verification strengthens your credibility. By confirming your legitimacy, it reassures potential customers that your business is trustworthy and reliable [9].
Claiming and verifying your business listings may sound similar, but they serve very different purposes. Claiming is about asserting ownership by adding the listing to your account, giving you basic control. Verification, on the other hand, goes a step further - it confirms that your business is real, operational, and accurately represented.
If you stop at claiming, your control is limited. Worse, your listing remains vulnerable to misinformation or unauthorized edits. As Reko Tamminen, Customer Success Manager at Mobal, explains:
"Proactively claiming your listing is essential to safeguard your online presence. Would you let your competitor decide the first impression you give to a potential customer?" [11]
Verification is where the real power lies. It not only secures your listing but also unlocks advanced features. For example, while claiming allows you to edit basic details like your business name, removing URLs entirely requires verification.
Here’s a side-by-side look at the key differences between claiming and verifying:
| Aspect | Claiming | Verifying |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Establish ownership and add the location to your account | Prove legitimacy and unlock full control |
| Timing | First step in the process | Follows claiming |
| Control Level | Limited; prone to unauthorized changes | Full control over all listing details |
| Requirements | Basic business information | Identity confirmation |
| Features Unlocked | Basic info management | Full profile customization, analytics, and review management |
| Security | Higher risk of hijacking | Strong protection against unauthorized access |
| Search Ranking Impact | Limited ranking potential | Improved visibility and ranking potential |
Lina Holm, another Customer Success Manager at Mobal, highlights the importance of verification:
"Maintaining accurate business information is crucial for building trust with your audience. Unclaimed listings can result in misinformation, damaging your brand reputation. Think of your Business Profile as a compact website prioritized in fast-paced local searches." [11]
The stakes are high. With over 90% of online searches happening on Google [12] and more than 85% of people using local searches to find businesses nearby [13], the difference between a claimed and verified listing can directly affect your visibility and revenue. Verified businesses gain access to tools like promotional features, detailed analytics, and the ability to respond to reviews - advantages you simply can’t get with an unverified listing.
Claiming and verifying your business listings is just the first step. To truly make the most of them, you need a solid plan and consistent management. Here's how you can prepare and maintain your listings to maximize their impact.
Before diving into the process of claiming or verifying your business listing, gather all the necessary details. Accuracy is critical - small mistakes can lead to delays or confusion for potential customers.
Make sure you have these essentials ready:
Having all this information at your fingertips makes the claiming and verification process smoother and sets the stage for effective listing management.
Claiming and verifying your listing is just the beginning. To keep your business visible and trustworthy, regular updates and maintenance are essential.
Review your listings on a monthly basis [15].
"To maximize how often your business page is seen in local search results... Google says your business should present 'accurate, complete, and engaging' information." [15]
Whenever there are changes - like new business hours, updated contact details, or changes to your services - make sure to update your listings promptly, ideally within 24 hours. For example, a sandwich shop in downtown Chicago once received a one-star review because their online hours were outdated, leading to frustrated customers [17].
Consider this: 80% of customers lose trust in a local business if they find incorrect listing information, and 63% might stop using that business entirely [17]. Keeping your details accurate is non-negotiable.
Here are some ongoing management tips:
Taking charge of your business listings by claiming and verifying them is a crucial step toward establishing a solid online presence and boosting local visibility. By claiming your listing, you control how your business is presented online, ensuring customers have accurate and reliable information. Verification adds an extra layer of trust, confirming your business's authenticity.
The numbers highlight why this matters: 46% of all Google searches are for local information, and 88% of consumers who search for a local business on their mobile device either visit or call within 24 hours[18]. This means claimed and verified listings don’t just improve visibility - they directly influence customer actions and, ultimately, your revenue. A strong listing can also foster better engagement with customers, giving you a clear edge over competitors.
Beyond just showing up in search results, managing your listings allows you to handle reviews, add photos or videos, and access analytics to understand customer behavior. A complete Google Business Profile can make your business appear 2.7 times more reputable, while listings with photos see 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks[18]. These details make a real difference in how potential customers perceive and interact with your business.
Claiming and verifying also protect your business from competitors or scammers who might try to hijack your listing, safeguarding your brand’s reputation. With 64% of customers relying on Google My Business to find contact information for local businesses[18], maintaining control over your listings is non-negotiable.
If managing this process feels overwhelming, small businesses can turn to services like Humble Help. Their expertise in Google Business Profile optimization and local SEO ensures your listings are not only accurate but also optimized to attract and engage customers effectively.
If you skip verifying your business listing after claiming it, you might run into some serious issues. For starters, your business information could stay outdated or incorrect, leaving potential customers confused and possibly damaging your reputation. On top of that, unverified listings are open to unauthorized edits, meaning someone else could make changes that harm your business's image.
Verification is also crucial for visibility. Without it, your listing might not show up in search results or on Google Maps, making it harder for people to find you. Plus, customers tend to trust verified businesses more, which means skipping verification could cost you valuable opportunities to manage reviews and build trust with your audience.
The way businesses verify their listings differs depending on the platform - Google, Yelp, or Bing - each with its own approach to confirming authenticity.
Google stands out for its variety of options. Through the Google Business Profile, businesses can verify their listing via phone, email, video, or mail, giving owners the flexibility to choose what works best for them. Yelp, on the other hand, keeps things simpler, relying primarily on phone verification, where owners confirm their listing through a call. Bing offers a mix of methods, including phone, SMS, email, or even postal mail, catering to a range of user preferences.
Although all three platforms are focused on ensuring accurate business information, Google provides the broadest selection of verification methods, followed by Bing, with Yelp offering the most straightforward approach.
Keeping your verified business listing current is a must if you want to stay visible in local search results and earn the trust of potential customers. Simple things like accurate hours of operation and up-to-date contact details make it easier for people to find and connect with you. This can translate directly into more foot traffic and even higher sales. Plus, verified listings tend to rank better in search results, giving you a leg up on the competition.
To manage your listing effectively, make it a habit to update key details like your business hours, address, and phone number. Don’t stop there - engage with your customers by responding to reviews. This not only shows that you care but also strengthens your credibility and improves your local SEO. Consistency is key, so double-check that your information matches across all platforms. By keeping your listing accurate and engaging, you’ll help your business stay relevant and competitive in your community.
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