Is it worth having your Google business profile “guaranteed by Google”?

When customers search locally for products and services similar to yours, they often seek verification to ensure they are making the right choice.

This includes reading online reviews, seeking personal testimonials, or finding more information about your business on your Google Business Profile.

Google provides a way for businesses in certain industries to gain consumer trust by becoming a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed provider.

Eligible businesses advertise with Google Local Living Services Advertisement The title Google Screened or Google Guaranteed can be obtained.

This name comes up when local consumers search for services in their area.

Ads for professional service providers will appear on Google Search and Local Services sites and will only be charged when customers call or message the business directly from the ad.

Learn more about Google’s Screening and verification process is here.

Before you apply to become Google Guaranteed, let’s take a look at the benefits of being certified, what it does for consumers, and ultimately whether it’s valuable to your business.

What are the benefits of Google Assurance for brands?

Anything that builds trust, increases business transparency, and highlights positive perceptions of your business is an opportunity to attract searchers.

Displaying the Google Guarantee badge can also benefit businesses in the following ways.

Reassure customers

a moment of trust The investigation found that for 81% For consumers, trust is a decisive factor in purchasing decisions.

However, only 34% of the same audience trust the brands they use. Google Guarantee helps your business gain trust.

It shows that Google has screened you as a reputable service provider and believes that you will provide quality service to potential customers.

Help your service ads stand out

Not only will consumers see your average star rating on the ad for your service, they will also see a prominent green checkmark.

This check mark allows your business to stand out from competitors who have not been screened or guaranteed by Google.

Even provides confirmation via audio search and phone calls

In the US only, when customers use voice search (eg Google Assistant or Google Home) to find the service they want, and they’ll hear confirmation that your business is guaranteed by Google.

Plus, when customers call your business, they’ll still be covered by the Google Guarantee.

Show that you care about your business’ reputation

Building your credibility requires actively looking for new opportunities to do just that.

Completing the Google Guarantee qualification process shows your customers that you are willing to take extra steps to ensure their satisfaction.

Going through the screening process is just one more step in improving a customer’s business experience from initial search to purchase.

Google gives your business a stamp of approval

Google guarantees that your business will provide customer satisfaction with a money-back guarantee.

That means Google trusts your business enough to risk its own bottom line.

Drive qualified leads

Google local service ads Displayed for customers in your given service area.

And, as mentioned earlier, you only pay when a customer calls or texts you directly from your ad. This helps make your return on investment worthwhile.

What does Google filter?

Google filtering is only available for selected U.S. verticals.

Google shares:

“Professionals screened by Google have passed extensive background and licensure checks by Local Living Ads, our trusted partners, or state and/or regulatory agencies.”

The following professional services are eligible for the Google Screened badge:

• law.
• financial plan.
• real estate.
• Providers working in the childcare or preschool industry.

Image via Google, April 2022

How does a business qualify for local service advertising?

There is no one-size-fits-all screening process.

instead, Google Statement:

“…the screening process varies depending on the type of service, your country, and whether the service provider advertises directly through Google or through one of our partner affiliates.” These screening procedures may include licenses, insurance, and Complete background checks. “

Background checks that businesses may conduct include:

• Business entity inspection.
• Business owner background checks.
• Service professional background check.

Background checks are conducted by third-party risk management firms that partner with Google.

Google also collects and highlights ratings and reviews from customers who hire local service providers.If the business repeatedly receives negative reviewsit may rank lower or not appear in searches at all.

Learn more about The business-level screening process is here.

Which businesses are eligible for the Google Guarantee?

In the United States, the following service categories may be eligible for Google Guaranteed, depending on state and zip code:

• acupuncture.
• Animal rescue service.
• Appliance Repair.
• carpentry.
• Carpet cleaning.
• Childcare.
• Countertop service.
• Choreography.
• electric.
• fencing.
• financial plan.
• First aid training.
• floor.
• Base.
• Funeral service.
• Garage Door.
• EPC.
• handy-man.
• Home Inspection/Security/Theatre Services.
• House cleaning.
• HVAC.
• Garbage removal.
• Landscaping.
• language teaching.
• law.
• Lawn Care.
• locksmith.
• Massage School.
• move.
• personal training.
• Pest control.
• Pet Grooming/Adoption Services/Boarding/Training.
• plumbing.
• Pool cleaning/contractor.
• preschool.
• real estate.
• roof.
• Sewage treatment system services.
• siding.
• Snow removal service.
• tax services.
• tree service.
• Tutoring.
• Veterinary Services.
• Flood restoration services.
• Weight loss services.
• Window cleaning/service.
• yoga.

study Classification requirements for US businesses are here.

How does Google Guarantee serve consumers?

When businesses earn the Google Guaranteed designation, consumers get additional protections when booking services.

This, in turn, may drive consumers to choose your business over one that offers no protection.

as Google Statement,

“If you are not satisfied with the quality of the service provided, Google may, in its sole discretion, reimburse you for the initial service, up to a lifetime limit (the maximum total amount Google can reimburse for all services booked through Local Living Services in your lifetime) .”

The lifetime limit that can be reimbursed to customers varies by country, up to a maximum of $2,000 (USD) and $2,000 (CAD).

However, consumers are only eligible for reimbursement if they book services directly through Google Local.

Additionally, reimbursement requests must be made within 30 days of service completion.

Is it worth it to get Google guaranteed or screened?

At the end of the day, whether it’s worth getting the Google Assurance badge depends on your business.

Showing that Google guarantees your service has many benefits, including more sales.

It has boosted confidence in businesses, especially in service industries where consumers are most skeptical.

There is also no additional fee to apply for certification.

Most importantly, being Google Guaranteed or Screened will only increase your brand awareness if your business has time to complete the registration and verification process.

start using Eligibility and registration process is here.

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Featured image: Maha Heang 245789/Shutterstock