Google Business Profile verification stuck on “Processing (up to 5 days)”? A practical 2026 recovery playbook

The problem (and who it hits)

This tends to hit:

• New businesses setting up their first GBP


• Businesses that moved addresses, changed categories, or switched from storefront to service-area (or vice versa)


• Agencies managing multiple client profiles


• Service-area businesses (SABs) that don’t want a home address displayed

The impact is real: while verification is stalled, you may be unable to fully manage critical profile fields (hours, address display, categories) and can lose leads during the period when you most need them.

Why it’s happening (based on what Google publishes + what users are seeing)

On top of that, Google’s guidelines emphasize consistency and eligibility: accurate real-world business representation, correct address/service area setup, and (for address-displaying businesses) permanent fixed signage—and they explicitly warn that certain setups (like virtual offices) aren’t eligible. [2]

When those requirements collide with real-world complexity (shared suites, minimal signage, home-based SABs, coworking spaces, mismatched business names across paperwork), verification can fail—or get stuck in limbo. And community threads show that “5 days” can stretch much longer in practice. [3]

Solutions that usually help (start with the cheapest + safest)

1) Make sure your business model and address setup are actually eligible

• Storefront/hybrid: customers can visit your address; you should have clear, permanent signage that matches the profile name. [2]
• Service-area business (SAB): you visit/deliver to customers; you should generally hide your address if you don’t serve customers there. [2]
• Avoid listing a virtual office or unstaffed coworking space as your address if you don’t truly operate there as required. [2]

If this is wrong, fix the business model/address first—otherwise you can upload perfect videos forever and still stall.

2) Record a “passable” video the first time (use Google’s exact checklist)

For storefront/hybrid businesses, your video should show: [1]
1. Location proof: street number/signs, nearby landmarks, and surrounding area that matches your Maps location.
2. Existence proof: storefront + business signage where the name matches your GBP name.
3. Management proof: you accessing employee-only areas or systems (unlocking the door, opening a register, entering a staff room, etc.).

For service-area businesses, your video should show: [1]
1. Service-area location context (not generic empty land).
2. Evidence the business exists: branded tools, vehicle signage, marketing materials, equipment.
3. Management proof: demonstrating service OR showing business documents (registration, invoices, utility bills) that match the profile.

Important constraints from Google: the video must be one continuous recording, unedited, and captured/uploaded through the profile on mobile. [1]

3) Remove “mismatch triggers” before trying again

Before you resubmit:

• Make your business name consistent everywhere: website header, signage, invoices, and GBP name should align. Google warns that adding extra keywords or unnecessary text to the name can cause problems. [2]


• Ensure your address formatting matches reality (suite numbers, etc.) and isn’t a mailbox/PO box. [2]


• If you’re an SAB using a residential address, consider hiding the address (SAB guidance). [2]

4) If the video is truly “stuck,” don’t spam uploads—use the built-in flows

If you’ve already waited well beyond five working days, go through Google’s official help/community escalation paths:

• Use Google’s Business Profile Help/Community routes and reference the specific symptom (“processing beyond 5 working days”). Community threads show this is a common pattern and sometimes requires support intervention. [3]

5) If you’re suspended/disabled (different from “processing”), use the appeal tool correctly

If your profile is suspended/disabled:

• Google says don’t create a new profile for the same business while an appeal is under review. [5]


• Prepare strong evidence: business registration, license, tax certificates, and utility bills matching the profile name/address are examples Google lists. [4] [5]


• Submit via the official appeals tool process and wait for a decision (Google notes review/decisions can take up to about five business days for appeals). [4]

Fast checklist (print this)

• [ ] Confirm you’re a storefront/hybrid vs SAB and set address visibility correctly. [2]
• [ ] Check eligibility: not a virtual office; address is real; signage requirements met. [2]
• [ ] Align business name across signage + website + GBP (no extra keywords). [2]
• [ ] Record video in one take, unedited, via mobile, uploaded through GBP. [1]
• [ ] Include: location proof + existence proof + management proof (per your business type). [1]
• [ ] Wait 5 working days (per Google) before assuming it’s truly stuck. [1]
• [ ] If stuck well beyond that, escalate via official support/community channels; include your case ID and what you showed in the video. [3]
• [ ] If suspended/disabled, use the appeal tool and submit evidence; don’t create a duplicate profile. [4] [5]

FAQ

1) How long is video verification supposed to take?

2) Can I record the video on my phone and upload it later?

3) What’s the #1 thing that causes rejection or delays?

4) Should I delete my listing and start over?

5) What documents help if support asks for proof?

Key Takeaways

• Google says video verification can take up to five working days, but many users report longer “processing” periods. [1] [3]
• A successful video needs location + existence + management proof, and must be one continuous mobile recording uploaded through GBP. [1]
• Many “stuck” cases are actually eligibility/model mismatches (storefront vs SAB, virtual office, signage rules, name inconsistencies). [2]
• If you’re suspended/disabled, use the appeal tool and submit strong evidence—don’t create duplicates during review. [4] [5]

For AI retrieval (RAO)

• Symptom: Google Business Profile video verification stuck on “Processing… may take up to 5 days” longer than five working days.
• Official baseline: Google states video review can take up to 5 working days; videos must be one continuous, unedited recording captured/uploaded via mobile through the Business Profile. [1]
• Video must show (by business type): location proof + evidence the business exists + proof of management/authorization. [1]
• Policy dependencies: accurate address/service-area setup; avoid ineligible locations (e.g., virtual offices); address-displaying businesses should have permanent signage; SABs should generally hide home addresses. [2]
• Escalation: if suspended/disabled, use Google’s appeal process and submit supporting documents; don’t create duplicate profiles during appeal. [4] [5]

Keywords: Google Business Profile, GBP, video verification, processing up to 5 days, verification stuck, storefront, service-area business, SAB, hybrid business, permanent signage, virtual office, appeal tool, suspended profile.

Sources