Can I verify my business if someone else has already claimed the listing?
Yes, you can regain control of your business listing if someone else has claimed it, but the process requires proving you're the legitimate owner or authorised representative. Google provides a process to request access to listings that belong to your business but are controlled by someone else.
You'll need to provide documentation that proves your authority to manage the business, such as business registration documents, utility bills, or other official paperwork that matches the business name and address. The current owner will be notified of your request and given a chance to respond.
Start by searching for your business on Google and looking for a 'Suggest an edit' or 'Claim this business' option. If these aren't available, contact Google My Business support directly with your documentation ready to prove ownership.
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Related Questions
What happens if my team becomes too focused on getting high initial ratings rather than actually delivering good service?
This is a common risk when businesses implement rating systems without the right operational mindset. The initial satisfaction rating should be treated as an early warning system for service problems, not a performance target that teams try to manipulate through pressure or artificial enthusiasm.Focus your team training on service consistency rather than rating outcomes. When someone receives a low rating, the conversation should be about what went wrong operationally and how to prevent it next time, not about convincing customers to rate higher. The rating is diagnostic information, not the end goal.Build your team processes around resolution speed and quality rather than rating scores. Measure success by how quickly concerns are addressed and whether customers feel heard when issues arise. Teams that focus on genuine service improvements will naturally see better ratings without having to chase them directly.
Why does my video verification keep getting rejected?
Video verification rejections usually happen because the recording doesn't clearly show the three things Google needs: your business location, proof the business exists at that address, and evidence that you manage it. Common problems include poor video quality, not showing clear business signage, or failing to demonstrate management access.For shopfront businesses, make sure your video clearly shows permanent signage with your business name, nearby street identifiers, and employee-only areas like your till or stock room. For service businesses, include branded vehicles, equipment, business documents, or permits that match your profile name and address.Record during good lighting conditions, hold your phone steady, and narrate what you're showing. The video must be at least 30 seconds long and recorded directly through your Business Profile, not uploaded from your camera roll. If rejected again, try focusing on different proof elements in a new recording.
What average star rating should I aim for?
In most local markets, an average star rating between 4.3 and 4.8 is the optimal range to aim for. A perfect 5.0 rating can appear suspicious to customers, while ratings below 4.0 create noticeable conversion friction.For most service-based businesses, the practical sweet spot is 4.5+ stars with a mix of detailed reviews appearing consistently. At this level, prospects generally stop questioning quality and move straight to practical considerations like availability and price.Rather than engineering a perfect rating by only asking exceptionally happy customers, ask every suitable customer consistently. Higher review volume acts as a stabiliser – a business with 200 reviews barely moves when receiving a poor review, while one with 25 reviews can swing dramatically from a single bad experience.
How often should my business be getting new reviews?
Your business should aim for new reviews on a regular basis rather than sporadic bursts. Most local businesses benefit from weekly reviews, while lower-volume or high-ticket services can maintain credibility with a few thoughtful reviews each month. The key is consistency – avoiding long gaps where no new feedback appears.Regular review activity signals that your business is currently active and delivering good experiences, not just relying on old praise. Customers pay attention to review recency, and search engines favour businesses with ongoing engagement. A steady trickle of reviews often performs better than occasional bursts followed by silence.Build a repeatable process that automatically requests reviews after suitable customer interactions. This removes reliance on staff memory and creates predictable review flow regardless of how busy your team gets, keeping your profile current and competitive without constant effort.
How do I calculate exactly what my current review silence is costing me in lost revenue?
Start by identifying your monthly satisfied customer volume and multiply by your current voluntary review rate (typically 5-8%). Then calculate your potential with systematic collection (typically 30-50%) to find your monthly review gap. Most local businesses discover they're missing 20-40 reviews monthly.Apply this gap to visibility and conversion impacts: businesses with fewer than 30 reviews lose substantial local search clicks, whilst thin review profiles convert significantly worse than robust ones even when customers do find you. A plumber missing 300 reviews annually often loses 15-25% of potential enquiries.Calculate the revenue impact by applying this enquiry reduction to your average job value and customer lifetime value. Document these figures monthly to build your business case for systematic review collection.
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