Want your co-working space to stand out on Google in 2025? A verified Google Business Profile (GBP) is your key to better visibility, trust, and more customer interactions. Here's what you need to know:
Start by ensuring your location meets Google’s updated rules, prepare thorough documentation, and monitor your profile regularly. A verified GBP can give your co-working space a competitive edge in local search rankings - don’t miss out!
To get verified on Google, businesses must provide clear proof of a dedicated physical presence. This can be tricky for co-working spaces, where multiple businesses share the same address. Google’s verification process emphasizes independent operation at a specific location, which means meeting strict criteria for physical presence, signage, and in-person service.
If you’re operating out of a co-working space, permanent signage is a must. Your sign should clearly display your business name - exactly as it appears on your Google Business Profile - and it needs to stay in place during business hours, even if you’re not on-site. Google’s stance on this is clear:
"Businesses can't list an office at a co-working space unless that office maintains clear signage, receives customers at the location during business hours, and is staffed during business hours by your business staff." – Google [3]
Your business should also be listed on the building directory, complete with a unique suite number. Whether your signage includes your company name, logo, or both, it must visibly confirm your presence. As Claudia Tomina, CEO of ReputationARM, explains:
"Signage confirms a business's physical presence" [2].
If your co-working setup doesn’t allow for permanent signage, Google suggests opting for a service-area business listing instead of a storefront location.
Signage alone isn’t enough. Google also requires that your location supports in-person customer interactions. This means your business must have its own staff on-site during posted business hours. Depending on the co-working space’s general staff or virtual office services won’t meet Google’s standards.
You’ll also need a dedicated phone line that’s separate from the co-working space’s main number. This ensures that customers can contact your business directly. Additionally, you should be able to receive mail at the address listed on your profile, further proving your operational presence.
To strengthen your case for verification, document your setup thoroughly. Take photos of your workspace, signage, and meeting areas to provide clear visual evidence to Google.
Once you've confirmed eligibility through proper signage and in-person requirements, it's time to move on to the verification stage. Google has simplified this process by automatically defaulting to video verification, eliminating the need for manual selection. Follow the steps carefully to ensure your profile gets verified without any hiccups.
Google now prioritizes video verification because it provides robust safeguards against fraudulent listings. According to Google:
"Video verification is an upgrade from traditional methods and adds an extra layer of security to ensure only legitimate businesses show up on Google Maps and Search." [5]
This process involves a live video call with a Google representative to confirm your business's physical existence. During the call, you'll need to showcase three key elements: your location, operational proof, and evidence of management control.
In April 2025, Google introduced a helpful feature allowing you to review your video recording before submitting it. Kevin Pauls, a local SEO expert, described this update as a "win for service area business verifications!" [6]
When recording your video, ensure it's a single, unedited take that aligns with the details on your profile. Avoid including other people's faces or any sensitive business information. If you're a service-area business, you may also need to show a branded vehicle or specific tools related to your operations.
If your video verification doesn't pass, Google typically offers alternative methods, such as postcard verification, phone verification, or photo uploads, depending on your business type and location.
For businesses managing multiple locations, individual video verifications can be time-consuming. Thankfully, Google offers a bulk verification process for companies with ten or more locations. This method allows you to verify all listings simultaneously through a single dashboard, saving time and ensuring consistency across your profiles.
As BizIQ explains:
"Google Business bulk verification offers a streamlined solution for businesses with ten or more locations, allowing for swift and seamless authentication." [7]
The bulk verification process typically takes 8-12 weeks, so plan ahead if you're launching multiple locations or need verification by a particular date. Before submitting, ensure all listings meet Google's guidelines. Start by creating a detailed spreadsheet that includes accurate and consistent information for each location - such as business names, addresses, phone numbers, and operating hours. Remove any permanently closed, suspended, or duplicate listings to avoid delays.
Tools like Yext can help you prepare by generating readiness reports that check your listings against Google's data quality standards. Additionally, companies like GMBapi specialize in guiding businesses through the bulk verification process. According to GMBapi:
"Bulk verification is a vital step to ensure each site is accurately represented online. With our expert-led bulk verification service, we've made this process as smooth and straightforward as possible, so you can focus on running your business while we handle the technicalities." [8]
During the review phase, be prompt in responding to any requests from Google for additional information or documentation. Consistently updating your business details and ensuring accuracy across all locations can help avoid discrepancies that might slow down or complicate the verification process.
Co-working spaces often run into unique challenges when it comes to addresses and map pins. With multiple businesses operating under the same roof, confusion can arise - not just for Google’s verification system but also for customers trying to locate your business. Getting your address format and map pin placement right can save you from verification headaches and ensure customers find you easily.
Address formatting is a critical step for businesses in co-working spaces. Since multiple companies share the same building, you need to make your address stand out while adhering to Google’s requirements.
Once your address is formatted correctly, the next step is ensuring your map pin is placed accurately. This can be tricky in large co-working spaces or business parks where multiple companies share similar addresses.
When dealing with address conflicts in shared spaces, focus on proving your business operates independently, even if it shares an address. Dedicated phone lines, consistent staff presence during business hours, and clear signage can all help establish your unique presence within the co-working facility. These steps not only streamline verification but also ensure customers can find you without hassle.
Getting verified is just the beginning. Co-working spaces face unique hurdles in keeping their profiles compliant, thanks to frequent tenant changes, shared facilities, and Google's heightened scrutiny of these environments. Regular upkeep is essential to avoid suspensions and ensure your information stays accurate for customers. Staying on top of updates is crucial - Google rewards active, well-maintained profiles with better visibility, while inactive ones risk suspension or even losing verified status. These measures are especially important given the challenges shared workspaces face. Let’s dive into how to handle tenant updates and conduct routine audits to keep your profile in good standing.
Frequent tenant turnover is a common compliance challenge for co-working spaces. It’s essential to update your profile within 24 hours whenever businesses move in or out. This includes reflecting changes to staffing, services, and physical presence, as well as removing outdated tenant signage from shared areas. Google's algorithms are particularly sensitive to inconsistencies in co-working environments, so timely updates are critical.
Routine checks are vital to staying compliant with Google’s strict guidelines for co-working spaces. Regular audits can help you catch and resolve potential issues before they lead to suspensions.
Investing time in regular maintenance ensures your profile stays visible and reduces the risk of suspension. By proactively managing your profile, your co-working space can maintain its verified status and strengthen its local presence.
In 2025, Google introduced stricter verification policies, bringing co-working spaces under closer inspection. The platform’s AI-driven enforcement has become more unforgiving, where even small missteps can result in penalties, including removal from Google Maps. Transparency is now a top priority, and businesses that misrepresent their information risk lower rankings in search results [1]. These updates lay the groundwork for the revised verification processes outlined below.
Accurate documentation has never been more important. Google’s upgraded system now scans business profiles with greater precision, flagging issues like keyword-stuffed names, stock photos, and fabricated reviews. These violations can lead to immediate suspensions. One of the most notable updates is the introduction of video verification. Businesses must now submit a video clearly showing their physical address, signage, and workspace to prove they are legitimate.
Document verification has also tightened. To verify your business, Google requires key documents such as a business license, title, or degree certification, alongside proof of your operational location - examples include utility bills, lease agreements, or tax registrations. For businesses in regulated industries, additional certifications may also be necessary.
Google has increased its focus on shared addresses, penalizing listings that use fake or shared locations. Virtual offices and co-working spaces are now only eligible for listing if they feature a separate customer entrance and operate independently. This means your business must have defined physical boundaries and clear signage to comply with the rules.
"Google needs to make verification more flexible to account for the thousands of different scenarios businesses face. Right now, the process is too rigid and doesn't adapt to real-world situations." – Claudia Tomina, Google Business Profile Help Community Platinum Product Expert and CEO of ReputationARM [2]
These updates add to the already complex challenges of verification.
Under the updated policies, certain changes to your business may trigger re-verification. Adjustments to your business name, address, category, or phone number - especially within the first two weeks after initial verification - are likely to prompt a new review. AI now plays a significant role, with its ability to detect inconsistencies across your online presence often leading to re-verification.
Customer complaints or reports from competitors can also result in further scrutiny. Physical changes to your business, such as moving to a different suite, updating signage, or modifying your reception area, will require re-verification as well. In 2024, Google removed thousands of listings for misrepresenting business names, and this trend has only intensified in 2025 [1]. Now, your business name must exactly match the name displayed on your signage and legal documents - any discrepancies, no matter how minor, can lead to suspension.
To stay prepared for re-verification, ensure your documentation is always current. This includes having your business license, lease agreements, utility bills, and necessary certifications on hand. High-quality photos of your signage, reception area, and workspace are also essential. Most importantly, your verified business name must align perfectly with your physical branding.
With Google’s advanced AI detecting violations in mere hours, maintaining compliance is no longer optional - it’s essential for staying visible online.
Verifying your co-working space's Google Business Profile in 2025 means adhering closely to Google's updated standards. Verified profiles see an average of 200 interactions and 1,803 views each month when their details are accurate [1]. With only 64% of businesses verified as of 2024, this process offers a clear edge over competitors [1].
Google emphasizes the importance of clear signage and accessibility for customers. Your co-working space must prominently display its name, operate during stated business hours, and have staff available throughout those times.
Proper documentation is a cornerstone of the verification process. Be prepared with key documents like your business license, lease agreements, utility bills, and tax registrations. For video verification - now a standard step - you’ll need to show your street address, building signage, workspaces, and restricted areas. It’s essential that your business name matches exactly across all legal documents and physical signage, as Google's AI quickly flags inconsistencies. Keeping these records up-to-date will also help with any future reviews.
Address accuracy is another critical factor. If your location includes a suite number, ensure it’s precise, but never create one if it doesn’t exist. Choosing the right business category is equally important - it can boost click-through rates by 66% [1]. For instance, a case study highlighted how a co-working space with clear signage and proper documentation successfully reinstated its suspended profile [3].
Staying compliant doesn’t end with verification. Google's AI-driven systems monitor for changes to your business name, address, category, or phone number, which could trigger re-verification. Regularly update your profile with accurate hours, services, and contact details. Engage professionally with reviews and upload high-quality, original photos of your space.
Verified businesses benefit significantly, averaging 66 new reviews per location annually and enjoying better search visibility [1]. As Google continues cracking down on fake listings, co-working spaces that prioritize compliance will thrive in local search rankings, while those that don’t may face penalties or removal.
Though the process demands attention to detail, the rewards - improved visibility, customer trust, and a stronger market position - make it well worth the effort. Review Google’s requirements, organize your documentation, and ensure your physical space meets all criteria to secure your verified profile and set your co-working space up for success in 2025.
If you're using a co-working space and want to get your Business Profile verified on Google, there are a few important steps to follow. These ensure your business meets Google’s location and signage standards:
By meeting these requirements, businesses operating in co-working spaces can boost their chances of successful verification and improve their local presence on Google.
If your co-working space's video verification with Google doesn’t go through, don’t panic - here’s how you can tackle it:
Google usually takes up to five business days to review submissions, so stay patient. A little extra care and precision can go a long way in getting your profile approved.
Google’s bulk verification process is a lifesaver for businesses with 10 or more locations, allowing them to verify all their sites faster without needing postcards for each one. For co-working spaces, though, it’s crucial to meet Google’s standards for what they consider a legitimate business presence.
Here’s what you’ll need: ensure every location has clear signage, is staffed during business hours, and is set up to handle in-person customer visits. Avoid using temporary or unstaffed addresses - this can lead to listing suspensions. Paying close attention to these details can make the verification process smoother and increase your chances of getting approved.
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