Google Tests Photo Verification for Business Profiles — A Fifth Way to Verify
What happened
Google appears to be testing a fifth verification method for Google Business Profiles: submitting a photo of your business location. The new option was spotted in early September by local SEO expert Ben Fisher, who posted on LinkedIn that "Submit a business photo" had appeared as a verification option alongside the existing methods — phone or text, email, live video call, and postcard.
The photo requirements are specific. You need to show your business name printed on a permanent fixture such as a signboard, and capture your entire storefront in a single frame.
Google has not yet updated its official documentation with this option, so it may still be a limited test rather than a full rollout. The feature builds on Google's existing push towards visual verification — video verification is already the default for new listings in most regions.
What this means for tradespeople
This one is a mixed bag for UK tradespeople. If you operate from a fixed premises — a showroom, workshop, or office with signage — photo verification could make the process significantly faster and simpler than waiting for a postcard or scheduling a live video call.
But many tradespeople work from home or a van, with no permanent storefront or signboard. For a self-employed plumber or mobile locksmith, this method won't help unless you have visible signage at your base.
If you've been struggling with verification delays — especially the postcard method, which can take weeks and sometimes never arrives — it's worth checking whether the photo option appears when you log in to your Google Business Profile. It may not be available to everyone yet.
What to do about it
- Check your Google Business Profile verification options to see if "Submit a business photo" appears
- If you have a premises with a sign, this could be the fastest way to get verified
- If you work from home or a van, stick with phone, email, or video verification for now
- Either way, make sure your profile is verified — an unverified profile won't show up properly in local search or Google Maps
Source: Search Engine Roundtable