Google has begun to offer the Google Guarantee for local services and businesses that pass a screening and qualify through Google Local Services.
When someone searches for a local service, like a real estate agent, plumber, or law office, in the list of business, there is an option for any of the companies in those industries to get a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed badge that helps them stand out among the other ads in the results.
What is Google Screened?
The Google Screened badge lets searchers know that Google has gone further into the background of a company and can vouch for them having a trusted reputation. This is based on things like license checks and reviews of the company.
The background check performed by Google (through a third-party service) involves checking the identities and criminal backgrounds of the business owner and employees, as well as cross checking the names of both with sex offender and terrorist registries. The company background will also be checked for their civil litigation history in federal and state courts.
Google will also verify that the business holds all applicable state, provincial, and country-level licenses. These licenses are displayed on the provider profile.
Google currently performs screening for the following local services:
- Appliance Repair
- Architects
- Auto Glass
- Bankruptcy Lawyers
- Business Lawyers
- Car Repair
- Carpenters
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
- Contract Lawyers
- Countertop Services
- Criminal Lawyers
- Disability Lawyers
- DUI Lawyers
- Electricians
- Estate Lawyers
- Event Planners
- Family Lawyers
- Fencing Services
- Financial Planners
- Flooring Services
- Foundations Services
- Garage Door Services
- House Cleaning Services
- HVAC Services
- Immigration Lawyers
- Interior Designers
- IP Lawyers
- Junk Removal Services
- Labor Lawyers
- Landscaping Services
- Lawn Care Services
- Litigation Lawyers
- Locksmiths
- Malpractice Lawyers
- Moving Services
- Personal Injury Lawyers
- Pest Control
- Pet Boarding
- Pet Grooming
- Photographers
- Plumbers
- Real Estate Agents
- Real Estate Lawyers
- Roofing Services
- Siding Services
- Tax Lawyers
- Tax Specialists
- Traffic Lawyers
- Tree Services
- Videographers
- Water Damage Services
- Window Cleaning Services
- Window Repair Services
You can learn more about the specific requirements for the services listed above from Google’s resource on understanding the screening and qualification process. After a business passes the screening process, a green checkmark will appear next to the business result along with “Google Screened” text.
What is the Google Guarantee?
When a company passes the screening process, there is an optional upgrade for Google to offer a Google Guarantee, along with an updated badge. For an extra 50 dollars a month, Google will offer those customers that attained services through Google with the business up to $2,000 dollars (both in US dollars and Canadian CAD) of the job invoice cost. This offers customers an additional piece of mind when looking for a company for a service.
How Does the Google Guarantee Work?
When customer has an issue with the service done by the company, they will fill out and submit a claim with Google. After this, a Google representative will contact the company to hear their side of the story and let you know that there was an issue, so that they are given the opportunity to make things right. If this is not possible, Google may decide to give the affected party up to 2,000 dollars as compensation.
Having an extra badge on your ad in he searches results can help your business further stand out in the local pack. The added security that is given to a user that seeks your services will help increase leads and help your ads perform better. Looking to get started? Give CaliNetworks a call at 805 409 7700 or contact us using our form and we can talk about growing your business with Local Service Ads.
