Google Local Service Ads: Verification, Edits, and Support
Conquering Google Local Services Ads can unlock a powerful stream of qualified leads for your business. But before you start reaping the rewards, you need to navigate the verification hurdle. This guide equips you with the knowledge and strategies to streamline both the verification process and ongoing edits to your Google Local Services Ads.
Business Verification:
- Sign in to your Local Services Ads account.
- Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner.
- Select "Business Verification"
- Complete all verification steps from the top down.
Here's a breakdown of key verification aspects you might encounter:
- Business Verification: Submit your license information (name, email, license number, expiry) through the platform. For some industries or if your license is under a different business name, you might need to call support and provide a Doing Business As (DBA) document.
- Proof of Insurance: Upload a PDF file showing current general liability insurance documents.
- Background Check: This can be initiated through the platform but requires a third-party background check company (Evident). The process can take 2-3 weeks. Entering business details on their website initiates contact with owners and employees for additional verification. For a smooth process, encourage everyone involved to complete their part promptly.
- Customer Reviews: Business listings appear in Google Maps if names and addresses match. If you change your address, be prepared to submit updated license, insurance, and business registration documents.
- Professionals: Each professional listed on your Google Local Services ad needs to submit their name, license information, and email for a background check.
Profile & Budget:
- Sign in to your Local Services Ads account.
- Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner.
- Select "Profile & Budget."
- Choose the information you want to edit (e.g., business hours, service area).
- Make your changes and click "Save."
Here's what you can manage directly within your Local Services Ads account:
- Business Hours & Scheduling: Control when your ads appear (business hours, all day, or custom) and update your business hours for each day of the week. Temporarily closed? No problem, you can turn off leads with a simple click.
- Service Area: Choose the cities or ZIP codes where your ad shows. Want to expand your reach? Contact Google support for assistance.
- Job Types & Industries: Select the specific types of leads you want to receive. Remember, deselecting all job types won't stop leads in the overall category, only pausing your ad will do that.
- Photos: Enhance your ad with captivating visuals like your team in action or impressive before-and-after photos. Pro tip: Avoid using photos that contain personally identifiable information.
- Budget: Control the number of leads you receive by adjusting your average weekly budget.
- Business Bio: Highlight key aspects of your business with three types of highlights:
- Standard Highlights: Choose up to 6 options like "locally-owned" or "years in business"
- Covid-19 Highlights: Select any that apply to your business, such as "contactless payment" or "video estimates."
- Google-controlled Highlights: Earn Google verification for highlights like BBB accreditation. If you believe your profile qualifies but is missing these, contact support.
- Message Leads: Turn on/off the ability for customers to contact you directly through messages. Note: This feature is currently limited to the US and Canada.
Google Support Required:
Certain edits require additional verification and involve contacting Google support. If you need assistance with the verification process or have any questions about Google Local Services Ads, you can contact support by phone at (650) 260-5700.
Here are examples where you'll need their assistance:
- Better Business Bureau Callouts: Adding BBB accreditation details to your Business Bio (US and Canada only).
- Expanding Coverage: Increasing your service area to new states or countries.
- Changing Contact Information: Modifying your business phone number or address. Submit a verified DBA or business registration document for these changes.
- Website & Reviews: Updating your website or linked Business Profile review (details must match).
Remember: When contacting support for edits requiring verification, have clear documentation ready, such as a DBA, business registration, or updated license/insurance documents. This streamlines the process and gets you back to focusing on what matters most - attracting new customers!