Category Archives: Blog

The Power of Video Verification

Video verification is a powerful tool for Service Area Businesses (SABs) and Home-Based Businesses to verify their Google Business Profiles (GBP) quickly and effectively. This method is tailored for businesses without a traditional storefront, allowing you to showcase your business operations in a way that enhances your credibility and presence online.

In this guide, we’ll walk through why video verification matters, the step-by-step process, and what to prepare for a successful verification.

Why Is Video Verification Important?

For service-based or home-based businesses, establishing online credibility is key. A verified Google Business Profile unlocks essential features and increases your visibility in Google Search and Maps. Here’s what a verified GBP can do for you:

• Enhanced Visibility: Show up in local Google search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
• Access to Advanced Profile Features: Once verified, you can post updates, accept appointments, and optimize your profile with detailed business information, increasing customer confidence in your business.

How to Video Verify Your Google Business Profile

To complete video verification, you’ll need to meet a few specific requirements. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Receive the Verification Request

When Google or your digital marketing partner (like Local Splash) initiates video verification for your profile, you’ll receive a notification to begin the process. Here’s what to expect:

1. Accept the Profile Invite: You may receive an invitation to become a manager of your Google Business Profile (GBP). Accepting this invite is necessary to gain verification access.
2. Access Your Unverified Profile: After accepting, navigate to https://business.google.com/locations (from within the same google account), or open the Google Maps app to view your profile.
   
   
3. Tap the Get Verified button next to the business name that you want to verify.
4. If prompted, enter your address then select submit. (If address is not prompted, skip this step.
5. Under Verification video, click Start
   
6. Under Submit a video verification, click start recording.
   

You are now on the video recording screen. When you have read this email and are prepared, please click on “Video Recording (red button)”.

Step 2: Prepare for Recording

Before recording, gather everything needed to meet Google’s video verification requirements.

Requirements for Successful Video Verification

Your video should include the following in one continuous reading:

1. Show Your Current Location

• Start outside or near your business location or service area.
• Show your Google Maps location if possible, capturing any nearby street signs or identifiable landmarks to confirm your service area.
• Avoid generic, nondescript landscapes; your video should clearly confirm that your business operates in a specific, identifiable location.

2. Display Documents and Equipment

• Show essential documents, such as your business registration, license, utility bill, or invoice to establish legitimacy.
• Make sure to show tools, branded vehicles (including license plates if visible), and any branded items like uniforms or work vehicles with logos to further prove business operations.
• For those using a branded service vehicle, record yourself accessing it to show ownership and operational use.

3. Highlight Business Affiliation and Workspace (If Applicable)

• If you work from a dedicated workspace, show your desk, relevant signage, or any branding that supports your affiliation with the business. 
• Signage does not need to be a large wall banner; it just needs to show the company logo and brand. 
• Home-based or remote service providers should capture tools, branded materials, or documents relevant to business activities.

Video Recording Sample: Click to Watch

Tips for a Quality Video Submission

• Length: Aim for a video length of around 1-2 minutes. If it’s too short or too long, you may encounter upload issues.
• Clarity and Focus: Keep the video clear, well-lit, and steady.
• Lighting and Stability: Use good lighting and avoid shaky footage to ensure Google’s review team can clearly see the necessary details.
• Privacy: Remember, the video is submitted privately to Google’s review team and is not visible to the public. It’s strictly used to confirm your business location and operations. Nevertheless, avoid capturing faces or sensitive documents in your recording.
• Lowering your phone’s camera quality from 1080p to 720p increases the chances of the video being accepted.
• Further help articles:
  How to video record via Android
  How to video record via iPhone

After Submitting the Video: What to Expect

Once you upload the video, Google will review your verification status, which may take up to five days. If it’s approved, you’ll receive confirmation that your profile is verified. If more information is needed, you may resubmit your video with additional details.

What to Do if Your Video Verification Fails

If you have submitted a video a few times and failed verification, consider reviewing your steps and adding more identifying elements. Google often provides limited feedback, so it’s essential to include as much clear, specific information as possible to verify your business.

Here are some additional actions you can take to strengthen your video:

• Show yourself walking up to your location or workspace and clearly identifying it.
• Unlock the entry with a key to demonstrate ownership.
• Include more shots of relevant documents, branded tools, or vehicles.

Adding these elements can help confirm your legitimacy, especially when verification feedback is minimal.

Is Video Verification the Same as Posting Videos on Your Business Profile?

No, video verification is different from posting videos as marketing content on your Google Business Profile. Video verification is a one-time process that Google uses to confirm your business’s legitimacy, location, and service area, allowing you to verify your profile and increase visibility. 

Get Verified and Build Credibility with Potential Customers

Video verification is an opportunity for Service Area Businesses and Home-Based Businesses to stand out in local search results, boost their credibility, and engage new customers. By following these steps and best practices, you can ensure a smooth and successful verification process, helping potential customers feel confident that your business is trustworthy and accessible.

If you’ve started an advertising campaign on Facebook, you’re likely already familiar with the platform’s benefits for reaching your target customers. However, there’s a lesser-known risk that can catch even the savviest business owners off guard: phishing scams targeting Facebook advertisers. 

These scams often take the form of deceptive messages or emails, crafted to look like official warnings from Facebook about account violations. When unsuspecting users respond, their account information is compromised, potentially resulting in a shutdown of their ad account — and a lot of headaches.

At Local Splash, we’re committed to helping you avoid this risk. That’s why we’ve developed a proprietary tool that automatically flags and blocks these phishing messages, allowing you to focus on growing your business without the fear of scammers gaining access to your advertising account. 

Even if you’re not a Local Splash client, there are specific steps you can take to stay safe and keep your Facebook advertising running smoothly.

Facebook Phishing Scam Example: Business Owners Should Ignore And Not Click The Link In This Message.

Spotting a Scam: Recognize the Red Flags

Phishing messages are designed to look urgent and official. They might tell you that your account is at risk or that it’s been flagged for suspicious activity. 

They usually contain a link or ask for personal information, such as your Facebook login details. Remember, Facebook does not send emails or messages of this nature for account violations or security updates. 

If you receive a message like this, treat it as a potential scam.

Some common features of phishing messages include:

• Urgent Language: Claims that your account is at immediate risk if you don’t take action.
• Requests for Personal Information: Prompts to “verify” or “update” account details.
• Suspicious Links: Links that direct you to login pages resembling Facebook’s but are actually fake sites created by scammers.

What to Do if You Receive a Phishing Message

After Phishing Compromise, Facebook Will Warn Of Pending Deletion.

1. Do Not Engage: Never reply to or click on any links in a suspicious message. Interacting with these messages can expose your information.
2. Verify the Source: If a message claims to be from Facebook, it’s best to log in to your Facebook account directly (without using any links from the message) and check your account status.
3. Report It: On Facebook, you can report messages and users that appear suspicious. This helps Facebook monitor and address these scams.
4. Contact Us for Help: If you’re unsure about a message, feel free to reach out to us at Local Splash. We’re here to help you identify and handle suspicious communications.

Local Splash Has You Covered: Our Proprietary Tool

Facebook Support Message After Page Has Been Compromised In Phishing Attack.

At Local Splash, we recognize that you have enough on your plate without worrying about potential phishing scams. That’s why we developed a custom tool designed to detect and tag these scam messages as spam automatically. Our tool also blocks the sender, preventing further communication and giving you peace of mind.

For those already using our service, rest assured that our tool is continuously monitoring and securing your account. Should a phishing attempt arise, it’s handled swiftly. We then email and text you with a notification that we identified the attempted attack and took care of it. 

Stay Vigilant and Protected

Protecting your advertising account is critical to maintaining your online presence. Phishing scams are constantly evolving, but armed with the knowledge we’ve discussed, you’re equipped to stay one step ahead. With these precautions, you can concentrate on what really matters: connecting with your customers and growing your business.

As a local service-based business, your service area choices can make or break your online visibility. You might be tempted to cast a wide net, covering as many areas as possible. However, when it comes to Local SEO and Google visibility, sometimes less is more. Let’s explore two powerful strategies to boost your local business presence: restricting your service areas and converting your Service Area Business (SAB) to a storefront.

Understanding Service Area Focus

Before diving into strategies, it’s important to clarify what we mean by service area focus. For businesses that serve customers at their locations, Google allows the creation of a Service Area Business (SAB) profile. This profile lets you specify the geographic areas where you offer your services.

However, the way you define your service area can significantly impact your visibility in local search results. Google’s algorithm favors businesses most relevant to the searcher’s location, creating what we call an “influence radius” around your business.

Local Business Relevance Matters Most

Your business is most relevant to your nearby area. Why? It’s simple:

• Lower travel costs for you and your customers
• More time-efficient service delivery
• Stronger local connections and reputation

Local SEO works best in your immediate proximity. When you adjust your online profile to reflect this reality, you align with what Google’s algorithm prefers.

To emphasize this point, let’s consider an extreme example. Technically, you could offer your services worldwide. Imagine a home builder traveling overseas to construct a house! While it has happened, it’s clearly not a practical or efficient way to run a local service business. The key is to focus on your most relevant market without diluting your online presence.

Strategy 1: Restricting and Limiting Service Areas

If you’re listing too many service areas, you may be diluting your relevance. Limiting your service areas to a few key locations can help:

• Focused Relevance: By selecting your most preferred 2-3 locations, you’re telling Google where you are most relevant.
• Stronger Rankings: Fewer service areas often mean better rankings in those specific places.
• Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to rank well in a few key areas than to have weak visibility across many.

To implement this strategy:

1. Analyze your current service areas.
2. Identify your top-performing or most profitable locations.
3. Select 2-3 core service areas that align best with your business goals.
4. Update your Google Business Profile and ensure your website and online listings reflect this change.

Strategy 2: Converting SAB to Storefront

Strategy 2: Converting SAB to Storefront

If you have a physical location where customers can visit, converting your SAB listing to a storefront can be a game-changer:

• Preferential Treatment: Storefronts generally perform better in local search results.
• Improved Ranking Potential: Physical locations are seen as more established and trustworthy.
• Better Visibility: The combination of improved ranking and trust often leads to more customers.

Before making this change, ensure:

1. You have a physical location that customers can visit.
2. You’re comfortable displaying your business address publicly.
3. You comply with Google’s guidelines for storefront businesses

To convert your SAB to a storefront, update your Google Business Profile, and Google may require you to re-verify your profile before publishing the update.

Why These Strategies Work

Both strategies align with Google’s preference for relevant, localized results. By restricting your service area or establishing a storefront, you show Google where you are most relevant and trustworthy. This approach reduces competition, positioning you as a top choice in a focused area rather than being spread too thin.

Implementing These Strategies

Whether you restrict your service area or convert to a storefront listing, contact your Local Splash team. Our team can:

1. Update your Google Business Profile with the necessary changes.
2. Verify your business address and ensure compliance with Google’s guidelines.
3. Handle any additional verification steps required by Google.

Consistency across all your online platforms, including your website and directory listings, is key.

Potential Challenges

While these strategies are powerful, there are potential challenges:

• Business Goals: Ensure that restricting your service area aligns with your overall objectives.
• Customer Expectations: Communicate clearly about your service area to avoid disappointing potential customers.
• Compliance: Make sure you fully comply with Google’s guidelines if converting to a storefront.

Conclusion

Sometimes, the path to greater visibility means narrowing your focus. By restricting your service areas or converting to a storefront listing, you can enhance your relevance and authority in the eyes of Google and potential customers.

Take a moment to assess your current service area. Could a more focused approach boost your visibility? By implementing these strategies, you can optimize your local presence and see a significant boost in online visibility and customer engagement. Contact Local Splash to get answers.