HUGE UPDATE - Google Local Service Ads (Google Guaranteed)

If you’re a small business owner in the home service industry and running local service ads on Google, you need to be aware of some significant changes. Google has made updates to Google Business Profiles (GBP) and how they relate to Local Service Ads (LSA). These changes can have a major impact on your business’s online presence and your ad performance. Stay with us, because at the end, I’ll share a pro tip to help your business rank higher on Google—fast and for free.

What's New with Google Business Profiles and Local Service Ads?

Your Google Business Profile, also known as GBP, is now directly affiliated with your Local Service Ads (LSA) account. This connection is already rolling out, and it’s going to change the way you manage reviews for your business.

One of the best things about Google’s advertising is that it’s intent-based—people are actively searching for your services. That’s why LSAs typically offer a higher return on investment (ROI) than other types of advertising, like Facebook ads, where you’re trying to capture attention as people scroll. If you’ve been struggling to see results with Facebook ads, you’re not alone. I have an entire guide on how to go about it, let me know if you want it.

Centralized Review Management

Starting October 8th, any new customer reviews will be managed through your Google Business Profile. By early 2025, even older reviews will be consolidated and managed through your GBP as well. This means your reviews will show up both on your Local Service Ads and your GBP, making it easier to manage your reputation all in one place.

Why This Matters

Reviews are one of the most important factors in helping your business rank higher on Google—for free. They provide social proof, which can be the deciding factor for customers when choosing between your business and a competitor. Google’s update makes it easier to manage your reviews, so you can stay on top of customer feedback and improve your online visibility.

How many times have you chosen a business based on the number of reviews or star ratings? Google understands that reviews play a crucial role in helping potential customers make decisions. With this update, you no longer need to switch between platforms to track reviews—it’s all streamlined in your Google Business Profile.

Google’s Enhanced Security Measures

Another important update is related to security. By linking your GBP and LSA, Google is making sure that only authorized individuals, like you, can manage your ads, customer calls, and messages. This change reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts. In the past, some businesses exploited loopholes to sabotage competitors’ LSAs, but this update helps prevent that.

How to Stay Ahead of These Changes

Here’s what you need to do to stay on top of these changes and keep your business visible:

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile: Make sure your GBP is fully updated and accurately reflects your business. As of November 21st, 2024, you must have an active Google Business Profile to run Local Service Ads. Without it, your ads won’t run.

2. Collect More Reviews: Reviews are more important than ever. Use your unique Google review URL to request feedback from customers. You can find this link in your LSA dashboard. Share it in emails or even in invoicing tools like Quot IQ, which has a review multiplier feature to direct customers to leave feedback after they pay.

3. Respond to Feedback: Make sure you respond to both positive and negative reviews. A well-managed review section shows potential customers that you care about their experiences, and it helps you improve your business based on real customer insights.

By staying on top of your reviews and keeping your GBP optimized, you’ll improve your rankings, attract more customers, and grow your business. Google is centralizing how you manage your business and customer interactions, so make sure you take advantage of these tools.

Pro Tip: A Free Way to Help Your Business Rank Higher

Here’s the bonus tip: One underutilized platform that Google crawls frequently is Reddit. Posting regularly on Reddit can help boost your website’s rankings, but many subreddits don’t allow business promotion. That’s where I’ve got you covered. I’ve created several subreddits where you can freely promote your business, focusing on keywords, geography, and the services you provide. Just remember, your posts need to offer value—don’t spam.

There are links to these subreddits just in case you might be interested. Just let me know and I will send them to you. Post useful content, share pictures, and upvote other users to build credibility. This will help your business get found more on Google.

If you found this helpful, don’t forget to share it, and if you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!