Google Guaranteed: What Is It and How To Get It

More and more local business owners looking to maximize their search engine lead generation are exploring Google Guaranteed. What is it and how to get it, you ask?

Think of it as Google’s “seal of approval” on a business. Being Google Guaranteed is a powerful digital marketing strategy for search rankings but also is a way for small businesses to build trust and increase conversions with new potential customers.

Anyone can publish a website. And nearly everyone can advertise online with Google Ads. But you have to apply to be Google Guaranteed. And not every business makes it through the screening and verification process.

Those that do have earned it. And their Google Guaranteed status makes them stand out from their competitors.

What is Google Guaranteed?

The Google Guaranteed program is part of Google Local Services Ads (LSA). It is meant to provide greater consumer confidence by affirming the validity and credibility of a home service company. It shows that the business has undergone background checks (both owners and workers) and met other eligibility requirements, including business license checks, insurance checks, etc.

The Google Guaranteed badge — a green checkmark — is one of three badges offered and backed by Google:

• Google Guaranteed

• Google Screened

• License Verified by Google

What’s the difference between each of these badges?

The Google Guaranteed badge is for local home services companies. For example, plumbers, electricians, house cleaning, window cleaning, pest control, flooring, fencing, painting, landscaping, lawn care, tree services, roofing, HVAC/air conditioning, water damage services, pool services, junk removal, locksmiths, appliance repair, etc.

Google Screened is for companies in the business, care, learning, or wellness industries. For example, professional services like law and accounting, child care, pet care, preschool, tutoring, personal training, massage, yoga studio, etc.

License Verified by Google is for those in the health care industry. For example, dentists, optometrists, primary care physicians, pediatricians, etc.

Benefit to the Consumer Searching for a Local Home Service Provider

Consumers searching for home service providers get the peace of mind that knowing a Google Guaranteed company has been screened and vetted by Google.

But not only that, Google guarantees that they are satisfied with the service or they can submit a claim to get their money back ... up to a lifetime limit of $2,000 per customer in the United States. Of course, certain rules apply for this reimbursement, but it’s is a powerful benefit offered to the consumer.

Benefit to the Home Service Company

The Google Guaranteed business gets prime, top-of-page placement on the Google search engine results page. This is above the sponsored ads, which already are higher than traditional organic SEO (search engine optimization) results.

This means your home service company will be in a position to be seen by more potential customers.

But it comes with an investment of both time and money.

How Much Does Google Guaranteed Cost?

Local businesses who are approved to participate in Google Guaranteed pay a monthly fee of $50. This is on top of their Local Services Ad spend, which is determined by their budget and the number of people contacting them through their ad.

Unlike Google Ads, which operates on the PPC (pay-per-click) model, the Local Services Ads program operates on a pay-per-lead model. Instead of paying each time someone clicks on the ad, you pay when someone calls or otherwise engages with you through the ad.

How to Get Google Guaranteed

The first step in getting Google Guaranteed is setting up your free Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). The next steps in the verification process take place through the Google Local Services Ads (LSA) platform.

You’ll need to check your company’s eligibility, set up your services, service areas and times, and then provide the additional details and submit the supporting documents required.

The screening process can take some time. But once they start getting results (more leads), most business owners are finding it worth it.

Should Google Guaranteed Be Part of Your Digital Marketing Strategy?

There are many case studies that show the Google guarantee works for local home services providers. To see how it can fit into your lead generation strategy for getting more customers, we invite you to get in touch with our experienced digital marketing team.

We’ll discuss the Google Guaranteed program with you in the context of your specific business and help you determine what your next steps should be.

Click here to get the conversation started.