What Is Google Guaranteed?

The Google Guaranteed badge is like Google Screened, with the bonus that the program offers financial protection to customers who use Google Guaranteed businesses. If a customer is not satisfied with the service they received from an agency, they can file a claim with Google and–potentially–receive up to $2000 in compensation.

To be Google Guaranteed, you must pass a background check and interview, just like with Google Screened. In addition, your business must also have the business location verified by Google and agree to abide by specific guidelines.

For the Google Guarantee badge itself, there isn't a direct fee. Instead, businesses pay for the Local Services Ads, which include the Google Guarantee as a feature.

So, Which Badge Is Right for You?

In many ways, the choice is not up to you. Google sets parameters on the business types eligible for Google Screened vs. Google Guaranteed. Typically, Google Guaranteed is used for home services such as air conditioning repair, roofers, plumbers, etc. On the other hand, Google Screened is more commonly applied to professional services such as lawyers, realtors, and financial planners. 

There may be some rare circumstances where you can pick between the two, but–in most cases–that differentiation will be decided based on your businesses service industry.

Although Google doesn’t provide a definitive list of which industries qualify for Screened vs. Guaranteed, we have and idea of eligible industries based on our understanding of the classifications. 

Benefits of Being Google Screened or Google Guaranteed

There are several benefits that you clients take advantage of by becoming Google Screened or Google Guaranteed.

The first is the increased visibility in search engine results. When customers see the badge next to your local business listing, they are more likely to click on it. It may seem small, but that extra little checkmark has a dramatic impact on results. This helps draw your listing to the top of the Google Local Services Ads, as we have seen from countless examples.

Secondly, as mentioned earlier, being Google Screened or Google Guaranteed helps build trust with potential customers. In today's world, people are increasingly wary of companies they don't know anything about. But showcasing the Google Guaranteed or Google Screened badge lets them know that your client is a reputable business that has passed Google’s extensive background checks. This, in turn, increases the potential customer’s confidence when deciding to work with you. 

The added benefit of being Google Guaranteed is that customers have a certain level of financial protection should something go wrong with the home service they booked through Google Local Services Ads. However, it is important to note that the guarantee only applies if they contact you through the GLSA platform. If a potential customer circumvents the platform and contacts your directly, the Google Guarantee does not apply. 

So, if you're looking for ways to differentiate your business and make it more visible in search results, becoming Google Screened or Google Guaranteed is a great place to start.