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Driving more business with Google Local Service Ads

Austin Hoffman • Aug 15, 2022

With Local Services Ads, you can advertise your business on Google and receive leads directly from potential customers. These leads come in as phone calls and messages sent through your Local Services ad. You can reply to messages, track bookings, and manage all your leads anytime online and through the app (Android, iOS). Messaging is currently only available in the U.S. and Canada.


Benefits of Local Services Ads:


  • Get seen at the top of Google.
  • Connect with potential customers who are searching for services you provide and are most likely to book.
  • Make use of simple tools to help you get started and create a personalized profile.
  • Use the mobile app to communicate with customers at any time (English only).
  • Build trust with the Google Guarantee or Google Screened .
  • Pay only for leads related to your business and the services you offer.
  • Customers choose you: You only hear from customers who have specifically selected your profile out of all the rest.
  • Note: If you’re Google Guaranteed, you may also be listed as a local provider on the Assistant. You won’t pay for this service. This feature is currently only available in the U.S. and Canada.


How Local Services Ads work


The Local Services unit is shown at the top of Google Search results when people search for the services you offer in areas you've chosen. Potential customers can click or tap on your ad to either call you or send you a message request (US only). They can also schedule a booking with you directly through your ad.


When a customer reaches out, you'll get an email and notification from the Local Services Ads app. From this point on, the lead is yours to turn into a customer.


To ensure you continue to receive messages, respond to as many of them as you can (even if you decline to provide the requested service). If you regularly fail to answer calls or respond to messages, your ad ranking may be affected.


Google Screened Ads


Google Screened helps professional service firms build a trusted reputation online. Businesses with this badge go through extensive background and license checks.


On Local Services listings, you will see the Google Screened icon next to these businesses.


Google Guaranteed Ads


Google Guarantee helps home service providers build a trusted reputation online. Providers with this badge go through extensive background and license checks.


On Local Services listings, you will see the Google Guarantee badge next to these providers.


Pre-Badge Ads


We’re also offering a way for providers who have passed preliminary checks to begin getting leads from Local Services Ads while they’re completing the remaining Required Onboarding checks (all Onboarding Requirements are needed to go live with the Google Guarantee or Screened badges).


Requirements to go live with Pre-Badge Ads


  • License (or business registration if we do not require you to submit your license)
  • Accepting that you have the appropriate licenses to do business
  • Business registration (in EMEA)
  • Reviews (subject to category requirements)
  • Completed your billing and set your budget
  • With Pre-Badge Ads, the provider’s Local Services listing will appear in consumer search results, but be placed under all providers who have completed all onboarding requirements and have obtained the Google Badge.


Businesses categories that are currently open to participate in the program:


To see if Local Services Ads are available in your area, check your business eligibility.


  • Acupuncturist
  • Animal rescue
  • Appliance repair services
  • Bankruptcy lawyer services
  • Beauty school
  • Business lawyer services
  • Carpet cleaning services
  • Carpenters
  • Child care
  • Contract lawyer services
  • Criminal lawyer services
  • Dance instructor
  • Countertop services
  • Disability lawyer services
  • Driving instructor
  • DUI lawyer services
  • Electricians
  • Estate lawyer services
  • Family lawyer services
  • Fencing services
  • Financial planning services
  • First aid training
  • Flooring services
  • Foundations services
  • Funeral home
  • Garage door services
  • General contractor
  • Handyman
  • Home inspector
  • Home security
  • Home theater
  • House cleaning services
  • HVAC (heating or air conditioning)
  • Immigration lawyer services
  • IP lawyer services
  • Junk removal services
  • Labor lawyer services
  • Landscaping services
  • Language instructor
  • Lawn care services
  • Lawyers
  • Litigation lawyer services
  • Locksmiths
  • Malpractice lawyer services
  • Massage school
  • Moving services
  • Personal injury lawyer services
  • Personal trainer
  • Pest control services
  • Pet adoption
  • Pet boarding
  • Pet grooming
  • Pet training
  • Plumbers
  • Pool cleaner
  • Pool contractor
  • Preschool
  • Real estate lawyer
  • Real estate services
  • Roofers
  • Sewage system
  • Siding services
  • Snow removal
  • Tax services
  • Traffic lawyer services
  • Tree services
  • Tutor
  • Veterinarian
  • Water damage services
  • Weight loss service
  • Window cleaning services
  • Window repair services
  • Yoga studio


Sign up today or contact our sales team for more information or help creating your account.

By Austin Hoffman 09 May, 2024
Unlocking Success with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): A New Era in Digital Marketing In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) engines like ChatGPT and Bard has ushered in a paradigm shift. Traditional search engines are no longer the sole protagonists in the quest for fast and precise information retrieval. Users, weary of sifting through endless search results, now turn to generative engines for quick, reliable answers. This trend has catalyzed the evolution of content creation strategies, with a growing emphasis on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—a suite of techniques tailored to enhance visibility and performance on these sophisticated platforms. At our digital marketing company, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve by integrating cutting-edge trends and strategies into our practices. Embracing this ethos, we recently conducted an experiment aimed at enriching our content through nine specific GEO techniques. The outcome was resoundingly positive, as our efforts garnered favorable recognition from Search Generative Experience (SGE) across more than ten queries. What sets GEO apart is its ability to deliver tangible results without necessitating additional budget allocation. Instead, success hinges on a strategic realignment of content research, writing, and presentation methodologies. The Foundation of GEO Strategy In response to the opaque and fast-paced nature of generative engines, a collaborative effort by researchers from Princeton University, Georgia Tech, The Allen Institute for AI, and IIT Delhi gave birth to Generative Engine Optimization. This framework is underpinned by a comprehensive nine-set content optimization technique, validated through rigorous testing across a dataset of 10,000 search queries, mirroring the intricacies of platforms like BingChat. Drawing from diverse sources including Google, Microsoft Bing, Perplexity.AI's Discover, GPT-4, and others, this dataset forms the cornerstone of GEO strategy development. Decoding the Nine Techniques Authoritative Content: At the heart of GEO lies the imperative of instilling confidence and trustworthiness in content through assertive language and compelling narrative. Keyword Placement: Strategic integration of target keywords in a natural, user-centric manner remains a cornerstone of both traditional SEO and GEO, ensuring enhanced relevance and visibility. Maintain keyword density of 1%-2%. Avoid disrupting the natural flow of content with keywords. Include latent semantic indexing (LSI) and "people also ask" keywords. Target long-tail keywords for specific queries with less competition. Statistics: Augmenting content credibility through the inclusion of empirical data and studies serves to bolster user trust and engagement, amplifying organic traffic and site visibility. Source Citing: Elevating content reliability by attributing information to reputable sources underscores the ethos of transparency and integrity inherent in GEO strategies. Quotation Addition: Harnessing the persuasive power of endorsements from respected figures or subject matter experts enhances content credibility and resonates with discerning users. Understandability: Simplifying content language and structure fosters broader comprehension and accessibility, catering to diverse audience segments. Fluency Optimization: Ensuring content coherence and readability through clear, engaging language is paramount in captivating and retaining user interest. Use simple sentences to maintain reader engagement. Avoid monotonous language and incorporate a rhythm in content flow. Choose clear language over jargon to enhance comprehension. Ensure smooth transition between ideas for a seamless reading experience. Unique Words: Enriching content appeal by incorporating interesting and uncommon vocabulary enhances engagement and distinguishes the content from competitors. Integrate unique words to add depth and richness to content. Avoid overuse of basic vocabulary to maintain reader interest. Technical Terms: Enhancing specificity and precision by employing industry-specific terminology facilitates effective communication and caters to specialized audience segments. Introduce technical terms to convey complex concepts succinctly. Provide clarity by using industry-specific vocabulary appropriately. Avoid overwhelming readers with excessive technical jargon. Conclusion: Seizing the Opportunity As generative engines continue their ascendancy, embracing GEO strategies emerges as a pivotal opportunity for digital marketing success. Beyond mere visibility, these techniques ensure that content is not only easily discoverable but also trusted and engaging for users. By aligning with the principles of Generative Engine Optimization, businesses can navigate the evolving digital landscape with confidence, unlocking new avenues for growth and relevance in an AI-driven era.
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