Responsiveness
Answering calls and replying fast. Google notes that missed calls can count against you.
Ad hours set to when someone answers
Local Services Ads management
Local Services Ads management for service businesses. Your business shows in prime placement on Google with the Google Verified badge, and you pay only when a customer calls, messages or books. We handle the verification, the setup and every lead after that.
Example: someone searches for a roofer near them. The Local Services Ads unit shows Your Roofing Co. with a 4.9 rating and the Google Verified badge. They tap Call, and a new phone lead arrives in the lead inbox.
“I have seen a significant increase in new patients, and my online presence has never been stronger.”
Paul · Expressions Chiropractic of DallasHow it works
Local Services Ads show your business in prime placement when people nearby search for what you do. They call, message or book right from the ad, and you’re charged only when they do.
“Roofer near me,” “emergency roof repair” or anything else you do.
With your rating, your reviews and the Google Verified badge.
Straight from the ad, without needing your website.
Not for clicks. Leads Google finds invalid aren’t charged.
Sources: Google, “Local Services Ads”; Local Services Help, “About Automated Local Services Ads lead credits.”
LSA or Google Ads?
Local Services Ads are simple and pay-per-lead. Google Ads gives you more control over what you show and where people land. Here’s how they compare.
| Compare | Local Services Ads | Google Ads (Search) |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per lead: a call, message or booking | Per click, whether or not they get in touch |
| Where it shows | Prime placement for local searches | Top and bottom of the results, plus Maps |
| What you control | Job types, areas, hours and budget | Keywords, ads, landing pages and bids |
| Trust signal | The Google Verified badge | Your ad text and review stars |
| What it needs | An eligible category and Google’s checks | Landing pages and solid tracking |
| Best for | Steady calls for your core services | More services, more control, more reach |
Running both? See how we manage Google Ads, or plan both with PPC management.
How Google ranks them
Google ranks Local Services Ads on your bid and on how likely you are to turn a search into a lead. Four of the five factors come down to how you run your profile, and that’s the part we manage.
Answering calls and replying fast. Google notes that missed calls can count against you.
Your rating, number of reviews, response time, photos and the checks you’ve completed.
How well the job types you list and your business bio match the search.
What was searched, when and from where. Your areas and hours decide where you can show.
The most you’ll pay for a lead. You may end up paying less.
One badge since October 2025. Google Guaranteed, Google Screened and License Verified were replaced by a single Google Verified badge, and the money-back guarantee ended.
Sources: Local Services Help, “About ad rankings” and “About Google Verified badge.”
What we manage
We get you set up and verified, then manage your ads every month, so you can spend your time on the jobs.
Getting started
Verification takes some paperwork and some patience. We start it early, walk you through each step and have everything else ready the day you’re approved.
We confirm your category and areas qualify and list the checks you’ll need.
We guide you through Google’s checks. Some steps, like getting a D-U-N-S number, can take up to 30 days.
Job types, areas, hours, budget, photos and bio, all set up to win leads.
We review leads, adjust budget and bidding, and keep new reviews coming in.
Who it’s for
Local Services Ads are open only to certain service categories. Here’s a quick way to tell whether they’re worth it for you.
Categories and badge availability vary by location and change over time. Source: Local Services Help, “Getting started with Local Services Ads, United States.”
Why Mediazealous
Plenty of Local Services Ads accounts get set up once and left alone. The leads slow down, and nobody knows why. Here’s the difference ongoing management makes.
Proof
Local Services Ads work alongside the rest of your local marketing. Here’s what our SEO and Google Ads work has done for two clients.
“Our website is now sleek and easy to use, leading to more appointments.”
FAQ
Straight answers about costs, verification and leads. Have another question? Let’s talk it through.
You set a budget and pay for each valid lead. Lead costs vary by category and area. With Maximize Leads, Google sets your bid to get the most leads for your budget, or you can set a maximum per lead. Either way, you may pay less than your bid.
It’s the badge Google shows on Local Services Ads when a business passes its screening. Since October 2025, it has replaced the Google Guaranteed, Google Screened and License Verified badges.
Google ended the money-back guarantee that came with the Google Guaranteed badge. Customers could still claim for services booked before December 7, 2025.
Google checks each lead when a customer first gets in touch, and leads it finds invalid or low quality aren’t charged. It no longer credits leads for job types or areas you don’t serve, so those settings need to be right from the start.
It depends on your category and location. Checks can include background, business registration, license and insurance. Getting a D-U-N-S number alone can take up to 30 days, so we start early.
Only certain categories. In the U.S. that includes many home service, legal, health and real estate businesses, from roofers and general contractors to lawyers, dentists and chiropractors. We’ll check yours on the call.
Often, yes. They show in different places and cost different ways. Local Services Ads bring pay-per-lead calls for your core services, and Google Ads covers everything else with more control.
Related services
Let’s talk
Book a free strategy call. We’ll check your category, walk you through verification and tell you what to budget.