Why it matters for your business
Local Services Ads can appear at the very top of some local searches, above regular ads, showing your rating, reviews and a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed badge, depending on your type of business. Instead of paying for clicks, you pay when a potential customer contacts you through the ad, which is called a lead.
To run them, businesses go through Google’s screening, which can include checks such as licenses and insurance, depending on the category and location.
Who can use them
They’re available only for certain business categories and in certain countries. Home services like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, cleaning and locksmiths are common examples, and some professional services are eligible too.
How to check or improve it
- Check whether your category and area are eligible in Google’s Local Services Ads tool.
- Complete screening carefully and keep your documents ready.
- Respond to leads quickly. Responsiveness is one of the things Google considers.
- Keep earning reviews, which appear right in the ad.
- Review your leads and dispute ones that clearly don’t qualify, under Google’s rules.