Yes, Google searches extend across the world but imagine the following scenario. It’s the middle of the day and your sink overflows. You indeed cannot watch it overflow waiting for a plumber from across the state lines! But there is good news. Say hello to Google’s newest search offering- Local Service Ads.

Local Service Ads are a great addition to the local SEO strategy for specific industries. It covers locksmiths, plumbers, garage door professionals, electricians, and HVAC services.

Local service ads aim to connect a searcher to the right advertiser. This is done by prompting advertisers to confirm the job a searcher is looking for as well as their service area. If you fit the bill and serve that area, then you’ll be matched to the searcher. The searcher will be able to evaluate your qualification, ratings, and Google reviews before making a call.

If you’re not a good fit for their job or you don’t serve their region, then Google will connect them to a more suitable Local Service Ad, saving you the time, costs and burden.

Local Service Ad Industries

Local Service Ads are a blessing for some industries. Today, Google fully supports Local Service Ads for the following sectors:

• Locksmiths
• Plumbers
• Garage Door
• Electricians
• HVAC
• Air Duct Cleaner
• Appliance Repair Service
• Auto Glass Service
• Auto Service Technician
• Carpet Cleaner
• Event Planner
• Handyman
• Home Improvement
• House Cleaner
• Junk Removal Provider
• Lawn Care Provider
• Mover
• Painter
• Pest Control Technician
• Pet Care Provider
• Pet Groomer
• Photographer
• Roadside Assistance Service
• Roofer
• Tree Service Provider
• Tutor
• Upholstery Cleaner
• Water Damage Service Provider
• Window Cleaner
• Window Service Provider

Most large metro areas in the United States have access to Local Service Ads.

Benefits of Local Service Ads

• Gain visibility at the top of Google.
• Connect with potential customers who are searching for the services you provide.
• Use the mobile app to communicate with customers at any time.
• Build trust with the Google Guarantee or Google Screened
• Pay only for leads related to your business and the services you offer.

6.You only hear from customers who have specifically selected your profile out of all the rest.

Local Service Ads

The attractive feature unique to Google’s local service ads is that advertisers pay per lead and not click. This means you will be charged only for valid leads rather than paying for clicks that don’t turn into an engagement. Google’s Local Service Ads helps connect the right job to the right advertiser and prevents the job mismatch that often occurs. If you receive a lead that is either fake, spam, or was a poor match, you can even dispute the charge for credit.

These ads serve through standard search engine results pages on multiple devices such as mobile, desktop, tablet devices, as well as through voice search. They rank the ads based on positive reviews and proximity to the searcher.

Signing up for Local Service Ads means becoming Google Guaranteed, i.e. background checks, checking licenses and insurance.

Google Guaranteed Ads

To become Google Guaranteed, businesses must pass a background check and have their license and insurance details verified. Searchers will find that Local Service Ads appear with the green tick mark alongside the “Google Guarantee.”This allows businesses to gain from Google’s robust seal of approval.

The Google Guarantee badge is available for businesses that pass a Google screening and qualification process through Local Services Ads. These ads serve next to your local service ad to let prospective customers know that you’re covered by the Google Guarantee (up to $2,000).

Google Guaranteed requires thorough background checks, licenses and insurance for the business and all customer-facing employees.

When to Use

This geared more toward home service providers including HVAC, appliance repair, house cleaning, painting, locksmiths, plumbers and others.

Google Screened

Google Screened helps professional service firms build a trusted reputation online. Businesses with this badge go through extensive background and license checks. Only for companies that possess a star rating on Google of 3+ are eligible.

There’s no application fee for Local Services advertisers (in the relevant categories and markets); however, there is no coverage for customer claims either. Currently, Google Screened is only available for select vertices in the USA.

When to Use

Google Screened is geared towards firms that provide professional services, including Law, Financial Planning, and Real Estate. They are eligible for the Google Screened badge.

Local Service Ads are Great Because:

• Much affordable than traditional PPC Ads
• Pay per lead: you only pay for calls that last at least 2 minutes
• A major ranking factor is an incredible customer experience you provide, levelling the playing field for firms large and small to win.

Summing Up

Google Guarantee is designed for in-home service providers, and Google Screened is intended for lawyers, realtors, and financial planners. Different types of businesses use both, and hence there shouldn’t be any overlap in the services. You don’t need to decide which to use; you only need to confirm that you qualify for one or the other and sign up.

Trusting a company that you find online can be difficult. But wouldn’t it be reassuring to select a business that has been thoroughly screened by a company like Google?

If you are a business providing any of the above-listed services, then you should consider signing up for Google Guarantee or Google Screened. To get started, get in touch with a local SEO services company to help you get started and make the most of this Google offering.