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Listing Claim

Overview​

The Listing Claim service is a fully managed, manual claim of business listings so your information is accurate and discoverable online. You can choose a listing claim (one site of your choice) or a medical listing claim (medical-focused directories for one practitioner).

What to expect: order and fulfillment form → Listing Fulfillment team receives your information → verification attempted within 48 hours (where the process allows) → claim completed and data corrected → final email with login credentials when applicable.

What's Included​

  • One fully claimed listing on any one site, or up to three medical-specific sites for one practitioner (medical package), as applicable to your order
  • Verification through an offered method (such as phone, email, or postcard verification—and for medical sites, the additional items listed under Prerequisites)
  • Correction of an existing listing

What listings can be claimed through this service​

This product can be used to set up or claim an unclaimed listing on an approved listing source.

Listing claim (one site): You receive one fully claimed listing on any one site. Examples include Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing, Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor, RateMDs, Doctor.com, and other sites we support. Contact us if you need a listing on a site outside of this list—we can confirm whether it is in scope.

Medical package: For practitioners, we offer fully managed claiming of up to three medical-specific sites for one practitioner, including RateMDs, Doctor.com, Vitals.com, and WebMD. Medical sites use the verification requirements in Medical-specific verification.

warning

Apple and service area businesses: Apple does not allow address suppression, meaning service area businesses must show an address. If you do not want your address to appear on Apple Maps, do not activate this product for Apple specifically.

Google Business Profile specifics

When the site is Google Business Profile, after claiming we also add a logo, cover photo, up to 5 videos, up to 5 photos, and Highlights, Amenities, Attributes, and Service Options (where applicable). GBP cannot use PO boxes—a physical address is required. For 10 or more locations, multi-location claiming is available (see Prerequisites).

Prerequisites​

  • Gmail account access: This service requires access to a Gmail account associated with the business, including the email address, password, and any recovery information. We need this inbox to claim and monitor the listing and to sign in after the listing is claimed. It is fine to create a new, dedicated Gmail account used only for listings.
  • Someone present at the business: Verification may require a phone call or text to the primary business line, so the listing usually needs to be completed with someone present at the business location who can complete verification steps when required.
  • A permanent address and phone number: Construction should be complete before the listing is claimed. Google Business Profile cannot use a PO box.
  • Practitioner credentials (medical claims only): NPI number, driver's license upload, state license number, and medical license number, as required by each site. See Medical-specific verification.
Google Business Profile multi-location (10+ locations)

Before requesting a multi-location claim, confirm that:

  • Your spreadsheet includes 10 or more locations from the same business.
  • It includes all locations for that brand you want on this account.
  • The business is not in a restricted vertical.
  • The business is not a service-area business.
  • A verified account doesn't already exist.

What you provide:

  • A branded email address and password under the brand's domain (for example, locations@businessname.com). Don't attach a recovery email or phone number, or we'll have difficulty signing in.
  • A completed sheet with each location's business name, address, zip, phone number, website, and category. If some listings are already claimed, only the claimable ones are processed after upload.

What our team does: we log in to the new email, create a Google location group, upload the spreadsheet (Add Business → Import Businesses → select the file), align the primary category across locations, and submit a Bulk Listing Verification request. Google reviews the request against its quality guidelines, contacts us with any questions, and confirms once the account is bulk verified.

Getting Started​

Fulfillment form​

When you purchase a Listing Claim, the Listing Fulfillment team receives the fulfillment form and uses it to attempt verification with the information you provide.

Verification methods (general listing sites)​

Each listing site has its own method for validating the legitimacy of a business. Common options include:

  • Phone call / text message – An automated call or text from the listing site is sent to the business phone number. A PIN is provided to enter into the listing site for validation. Until the listing is verified, changes may not appear to the public.
  • Postcard – A physical postcard is mailed to the listed business address with a PIN to enter on the listing site. This can take two weeks or more. Do not change the listing after a postcard has been requested until the PIN is received and entered. Changes may not appear publicly until the listing is verified.

Google Business Profile additionally offers an email method, where Google sends a PIN to the business's domain email (for example, ...@businesswebsite.com). If the GBP listing is suspended or needs additional verification, it may take more time.

Postcard verification (follow-up)​

When the only option is a physical postcard to the business address, the Listing Fulfillment team follows up by email 7 and 14 business days after the initial email to obtain the PIN from the postcard. That PIN must be entered on the listing site to complete the claim.

warning

Postcard PINs expire within 30 days. Pass the PIN to the Listing Fulfillment team as soon as you receive it (email or call).

Medical-specific verification​

Medical listing sites may require additional or different steps, for example:

  • NPI number
  • Driver’s license upload (image of the practitioner’s license)
  • State license number
  • Medical license number
  • Phone call / text message – Same PIN-style validation as on general sites when offered

Listing is already claimed​

If the listing is already claimed and you are not the owner, we can work to have the listing unlocked so it can be claimed again.

General sites:

  • This process can take two weeks or more.
  • The listing site often has a request ownership (or similar) flow that notifies the current owner.
  • If the current owner denies the request, we may need to work with Support to gain access; we cannot guarantee ownership.
  • If the current owner does not respond within 7 days (where that rule applies), the listing may become available again and can be claimed using the usual verification methods. For Google Business Profile, this window is 4 days.
  • Yelp: If a Yelp listing is already claimed, the business owner must contact Yelp Support for access; our team cannot make this request on their behalf.

Medical sites:

  • The same two weeks or more timeline applies.
  • If a medical listing is already claimed or unclaimable, the practitioner may need to contact support for the concerned platform for access; the Listings Fulfillment team may not be permitted to make the request on their behalf.

Listing claim completed​

Once the listing is successfully claimed, the Listing Fulfillment team ensures core data is accurate.

For a single-site listing claim, this typically includes:

  • Business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and category

For a medical listing claim, this typically includes:

  • Practitioner name, facility address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and categories/services

Rich data (encouraged on all applicable listings) helps consumers or patients learn more about you—for example:

  • Business or practice description, interior/exterior/staff or headshot photos, products or service offerings, education, facilities, and similar details

A final email from the Listing Fulfillment team includes login credentials for the claimed listing when applicable.

FAQ​

Common questions​

Why is a Gmail account needed?

Most listing sites require an account to be created and managed on the business’s behalf. We need credentials for a Gmail inbox so we can create or use logins for those sites, follow confirmation emails, and sign in after the listing is claimed. It is fine to create a new, dedicated Gmail account used only for listings—we do not need access to confidential personal email.

For medical listing claims, the same applies: a blank-slate Gmail account used only for listings is acceptable.

Can someone assist with claiming on behalf of the business?

The claiming process may require a phone call or text to the primary business line, so the listing usually needs to be completed with someone present at the business location who can complete verification steps when required.

When will listings be accurate?

Claiming and correcting listings can take up to 90 days. In most cases, listings are claimed and corrected within 30 days.

Can listings be claimed while the business is still under construction?

No. Construction should be complete and the business should have a permanent address and phone number before the listing is claimed.

Can a tracking phone number be listed?

No. Tracking numbers cannot be used as the phone number on the listing—provide the local phone number for the business.

Listing claim​

What should the business expect from this service?

The business should expect to verify the listing through the chosen platform using postcard, phone call, text, or email (whatever the platform requires). They should be ready to confirm business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website. They may need to be at the business and able to answer the primary business number for incoming verification calls or texts.

What listings can be claimed?

Examples include Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing, Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor, RateMDs, Doctor.com, and other sites we support. Contact us if there is a request to claim a listing on a site outside of those we typically offer—we can confirm whether it is in scope.

What listing data is updated?

Updates typically include business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website (plus category and other fields the platform supports—see Listing claim completed).

What if the business does not have a physical address?

For service area businesses, most listing sites still require a real address to verify authenticity. Some sites (for example Google) can suppress the address so it is not shown online. Yelp may also support suppression in some cases. Apple does not allow address suppression—see What listings can be claimed through this service.

Can service area businesses be claimed using this product?

Yes. Apple does not allow suppression of an address. If the business should not show an address on Apple Maps, do not activate this product for Apple specifically. See also What listings can be claimed through this service.

Two businesses share the same phone number and address. Can both be claimed?

Businesses listed at an identical address and phone number may be treated as duplicates and removed from many sites.

What are the restrictions for Yelp multi-location claiming?

If the business has more than 10 locations, we cannot offer Yelp multi-location claiming due to Yelp’s restrictions. (Google Business Profile multi-location is available—see Prerequisites.)

Medical listing claim​

What listings can be claimed (medical)?

We can claim Vitals.com, WebMD, Doctor.com, and RateMDs. Contact us if there is a request to claim a listing on a site outside of these—we can confirm whether it is in scope.

What should the practice do to prepare for listings to be claimed?

The practice should be ready for phone verification when the listing site requires it, and have the practitioner's NPI number, driver's license, state license number, and medical license number ready. We work around verification where possible, but some sites require verification using the primary business line and someone who can complete the steps.

What if the practice’s listings are already claimed?

Most listings can be reclaimed using phone or postcard verification. If a medical listing is already claimed or unclaimable, the practitioner may need to contact the site's Support for access, as the Listings Fulfillment team may not be permitted to make the request on their behalf.