How can I verify a Google, Bing, Apple or Yelp listing in a Citation Builder report?

In this guide, we'll take you through how to verify a Google, Bing, Apple or Yelp listing. Use the contents table on the right to help you navigate this guide. 

How to verify a Google listing

1. Open your Citation Builder report and find the Google listing in the Directories table. Then click on the 'See Notes' button next to the Google listing, and a pop-up will appear.

2. Copy the ‘Verification link’ in the pop-up and open it in a new window. 

3. Enter the email address and password from the pop-up in the new verification window that you just opened.

4. You will be redirected to your business profile. Simply click the “Get Verified” button.

5. Scroll down and click the blue ‘Verify now’ button. 

6. In the next window, Google may give you more than one way to verify your listing, although this is not guaranteed. Click the option that best suits you and follow the steps. If you decide to verify by phone, it’s a good idea to make sure your client is available to receive the call beforehand.

Here it’s only giving the option to verify by phone call or video.

If none of these options are suitable, you can get help from Google’s support team by clicking the 'Contact Support' option below the verification options.

How to verify a Bing listing

1. Open your Citation Builder report and find the Bing listing in the Directories table. Then click on the 'See Notes' button next to the Bing listing and a pop-up will appear. 

2. Copy the ‘Verification link’ in the pop-up and open it in a new window. 

Bing offers four login options:

• Via Google account
• Via Facebook account
• Via Microsoft/Outlook account
• Via work email address

You must choose the option based on the email address that will be provided in the notes section.

3. The email address in the pop-up below is for Gmail, so on Bing’s login page, we’re going to click to sign in using our Google Account option and enter the email address and password in the pop-up.

4. In the next window, click ‘Verify now’.

5. Choose the way that you would like to verify your business either by phone, SMS/text, email or post, and follow the instructions.

For example, if you click to verify by phone, you’ll need to check the phone number that Bing will prefill for you (you may add the extension number if you have one)and then click ‘Verify now’.

You’ll then receive a verification code via whatever method you choose. If you decide to verify by phone, it’s a good idea to make sure your client is available to receive the call beforehand.

When you receive the code, enter the code to verify your business. For postcard verification, you can log in to your Bing account later, once the card arrives and the verification is done.

How to verify an Apple listing

To claim your Apple Maps listing, you need to have the Apple ID that is linked to your mobile phone number, as two-factor authentication is mandatory if you wish to claim your listing. You can create an Apple ID here if you do not have one: https://appleid.apple.com/

Because of this requirement, we are unable to set up proper accounts on Apple’s new Business Connect dashboard and do not provide credentials. 

We create a brand new listing or update an existing one by submitting our request to Apple directly. Within your campaign report, we will note down the status of your listing and link the guide that explains the process of claiming and verifying the listing.  

Once the listing is published or updated - you can claim it by following these steps.

1. Sign in with your Apple ID. Go to https://businessconnect.apple.com/ and sign in. 

2. Search for your business location. It should appear in the drop-down menu as one of the suggestions.

3. Click ‘Next’. Make sure you select the business listing and click ‘Next’ at the bottom of the page.

4. Add additional information for your business that will be asked for in the next few steps.

5. Verify your business. For existing listings, it can be done by using phone verification or by uploading a relevant document with this location’s details.

You can skip this step and complete it later. “Verify this business” will be displayed at the top of the page and in a separate pop-up when you scroll to the bottom of the page, where you’ll be able to choose how you verify.

As before, once the business is verified, you will have access to the entire dashboard. This is where additional features will become unlocked. For example, business descriptions, attributes, and images can only be added after verification has been completed.

How to verify a Yelp listing

1. Open your Citation Builder report and find the Yelp listing in the Directories table. Then click on the 'See Notes' next to the Yelp listing, and a pop-up will appear. 

2. Copy the ‘Verification link’ in the pop-up and open it in a new window. 

3. Enter the email address and password that are provided in the pop-up notes. 

You will be redirected to the screen that will offer you the verification options. On occasion, the page may be blank and ask you to add a listing instead. If that happens, simply copy the verification link from the notes and open it in the new tab - you then should see the required screen.

3. Choose the verification method that works for you. Yelp normally defaults to phone verification, but sometimes they do offer other options, like email. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which one you will get.

Here it’s only giving the option to verify by phone or by text. If you decide to verify by phone, it’s a good idea to make sure your client is available to receive the call beforehand.

4. Click on the “Call” or “Send” button and follow the instructions to enter your verification code.

5. If the verification screen shows the incorrect phone number - simply click 'Request to change phone number' underneath it. In the new pop-up, enter the new phone number and extension, if needed, and click 'Request change'.

It should take a few days for the number to be change and you can try verification again.