How to Update Your Google Business Profile Address Without Video Verification
Has your business moved lately? Or is your Google Business Profile (GBP) showing the wrong address? You’d be right to assume that fixing the incorrect info is as simple as logging in and making a quick edit but, unfortunately, you’d be wrong. Updating your business address in Google Business Profile can trigger a frustrating video verification process that takes time, finesse, a bit of magic, and a whole lot of luck.
The good news: we’ve found that this 3-step workaround can help you avoid that headache and get your address updated faster without the video verification headache. Here’s how it works.
Why Does Google Require Video Verification?
Google uses video verification to confirm that a business is legitimate and physically located where it claims to be. While it’s a reasonable safeguard against fake listings, the process can be time-consuming and frustrating.
The trick is to help Google’s algorithm gain confidence in your new address before you make the official change as the owner. Here’s how to do that.
The 3-Step Process to Update Your GBP Address Without Video Verification
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Step 1: Update Your Website and Social Media Profiles First
Before you touch your GBP listing, make sure your new address is live and accurate on your website and social media profiles. Google regularly crawls websites. If a bot visits your site and the address matches what you’re about to submit in GBP, it reinforces the legitimacy of the change.
Google is much more likely to accept an update without friction if the information is consistent across multiple sources.
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Step 2: Have a Non-Owner User Suggest the New Address
This is the counterintuitive part. Ask a trusted person (someone who is NOT the GBP account owner) to suggest the correct address as a public edit on your GBP listing. Even better would be to have the user suggest the update and upload a picture of the business at the new location with signage if possible.
Why? Google has long relied on crowdsourced information to keep its Maps data accurate. When a regular user — not the business owner — submits an edit, it carries a certain level of trust with the algorithm. This step helps prime Google to accept your official update when you make it in Step 3.
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Step 3: Wait 3–5 Days, Then Update as the Owner
Patience is key here. After the user suggestion has had time to register with Google, log in as the GBP owner and submit the correct address yourself.
Do not skip the wait. Updating too soon — before Google has had a chance to process the crowdsourced suggestion — reduces the chance this method works. Give it the full 3 to 5 days.
What to Expect After You Submit
In most cases, Google will put your listing into a standard review process that takes a day or two but may avoid the dreaded video verification request. Cross your fingers! This method works the majority of the time, though results can vary depending on your listing history and location.
Once Google officially approves the new address, you’re good to move on to the next step.
After Approval: Update Your Business Listings Everywhere Else
GBP is just the starting point. There are hundreds of online directories that may be displaying your old address, and inconsistent information across the web can hurt your local search rankings.
Once your GBP is updated, make sure you also update:
Not sure how many directories have your listing? Run a free citation scan to see exactly where your business information appears online and what needs to be corrected.
Address Accuracy Matters for Local Businesses in Bellingham and Beyond
Keeping your Google Business Profile accurate is one of the most important things you can do for local SEO. An incorrect address can confuse potential customers and drag down your visibility in local search results. This is especially important for businesses in competitive markets like Bellingham, WA.
If you use this 3-step process and run into any issues, or if you have questions about managing your GBP, feel free to reach out. Google Business Profile management is one of the most effective marketing services we offer for local businesses in Whatcom County and across the Pacific Northwest.
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Hi. I'm Patrice
Patrice has 20+ years of experience in business development, marketing, project management, and driving sales. Her exceptional interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills allow her to get to the heart of client problems and find effective solutions. She is well-known for her ability to relate to her customer problems and find effective solutions while providing exceptional leadership to ProFusion's project management, customer support and social marketing teams.