Trying to get more local customers can feel like guesswork unless you show up on Google. Verifying your Google Business Profile is a key part of making sure people can actually find you when they search in your local area. This step helps your business show up in Google Maps, local search, and gives people more trust in your brand.

Nothing happens until your profile is verified. Without that tick, your business might not show in local searches, and anyone could suggest changes to your details that you might not even see. This guide answers what you need to do, why it matters, and how it fits into your marketing and tax plans, especially if you run marketing or trust an agency to do it.

Why verify your Google Business Profile?

Verifying your profile tells Google that you are the business owner or manager, and your details are real. Without this, your listing could end up in the wrong hands or fall out of search results.

Quick reasons to finish verification:

• Customers trust verified profiles. They know you’re real.
• Your business can show up on Google Maps and local results, making you easier to find.
• Your profile can’t get changed by strangers. Only you (or your approved agency) can update info.

If you want more inbound leads or steady foot traffic in Brisbane, leaving your profile unverified makes it harder to compete. Google and buyers both look for signs of reliability. A verified profile gives both.

What steps should you follow to verify your profile?

Verifying your Google Business Profile takes a few clear steps. Everything starts with the Google Business dashboard.

• Sign in using your business’s Google account.
• Add or claim your business. This is where you fill in your name, address, phone, and business hours.
• Choose how you want to verify. Google might offer you a postcard, phone call, email, or sometimes instant verification, depending on your business and location.
• Google will send a verification code to your chosen method. Enter that code in your dashboard.
• Wait for confirmation from Google that verification is complete.

Issues pop up from time to time. If the code never arrives, check your address or ask for a new code in the dashboard. If problems keep up, there’s Google support ready to help with missing codes or ownership disputes.

Can marketing services help with profile verification and visibility?

Doing it yourself is possible, but a lot of businesses want someone who knows the process and can handle the details. Marketing agencies help keep things running smoothly and tie your Google Business Profile into everything else you are doing digitally.

What an agency can do:

• Complete your initial listing setup and verification so you don’t miss steps.
• Keep business information current, including hours, services, new photos, and posts.
• Link your Google Business Profile with ongoing SEO and lead generation so your listing does more than just sit there.

For Brisbane businesses aiming to pick up more local traffic, connecting your Google Business Profile to strategies like local SEO is a smart move. For example, Your Digital Solution specialises in digital strategy and can help weave your profile into your broader marketing. They are also experts in Google Business Profile management, which keeps your details accurate and your listing performing.

How does profile verification support your tax deduction strategy?

Most owners think of marketing as just another spend. The truth is, the Australian Taxation Office considers advertising and promotion part of running a business, so digital marketing (including Google Business Profile work) usually counts as a tax deduction.

That turns marketing from just a cost into something that might reduce your end-of-year tax.

Tips to keep it all above board:

• Add profile setup, management, or verification as clear items on any marketing invoice from your agency.
• Keep digital records and paperwork for everything campaign-related.
• Check with your accountant if each line of marketing spend qualifies as tax-deductible under current ATO rules.

When you hire digital marketing services to support your business growth, much of that activity sits squarely in your tax-deductible marketing budget. That makes working with an experienced agency like Your Digital Solution fit naturally into your financial planning.

What should you know if your profile gets suspended or unverified?

Profiles sometimes get suspended or flagged as unverified if updates happen too quickly, accounts change hands, or there’s confusion about ownership. This can knock you out of search unexpectedly.

What you should do:

• Visit the Google Business Profile help centre to see if there’s a known cause for suspension.
• Go through the reverification steps, which often means getting a new code.
• Limit management rights to one login, especially for the main business owner or trusted agency.

Consistency is key. Changing logins or handing access to too many people can create ownership problems. If you get stuck, Google support will walk you through making your profile live again. Getting things sorted early is always better than losing weeks of local visibility.

FAQs

Q: Can I verify my Google Business Profile without a postcard?

A: Yes, some businesses can verify by phone, email, or instantly. Your options depend on business type and how long it’s been around.

Q: How long does the verification process take?

A: If you use a postcard, expect 5 to 14 days. Phone or email methods can work faster for eligible businesses.

Q: Is verifying a Google Business Profile a tax-deductible expense?

A: When verification is done as part of marketing or advertising spend, it’s usually tax-deductible. Double-check with your accountant or the ATO for peace of mind.

Q: What if my business has already been claimed?

A: Submit a request for ownership or go through Google’s dispute process. This checks if the manager can hand it over or if you’ll need to prove ownership.

Why Google Business Profile verification is smart for Brisbane businesses

Getting your Google Business Profile verified is more than ticking a box. It helps people in your area find you, trust what they see, and keeps your details under your control. If you run a business and want to grow reliable leads, this step is too valuable to skip.

At the same time, working verification into your ad budget means you could claim it as a tax deduction, freeing up funds for more marketing. This approach is great for business owners who need more visibility and less worry about waste. Teams like Your Digital Solution know how to build real value into every step, keeping you seen by customers and confident at tax time.

Managing your Google Business Profile doesn’t have to feel like busywork. When it’s part of a well-planned strategy, it can lift your visibility, drive more local enquiries, and even play a role in your broader tax planning. Service-based businesses in particular can see real gains when their listings are actively supporting growth. We help you connect the dots between profile optimisation and your goals for SEO in Brisbane. Talk to Your Digital Solution today to get started.