Google Screened

Local Business Verification from Google

When someone searches for a local service providers like real estate agents, plumbers, or lawyers, in the list of business, there is an option for professionals in those industries to get a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed badge that helps them stand out among the other ads in the results.

What is a Google Screened?

To understand the benefits of the Google Screened program, we need to look at the reasons that prompted the search engine to launch its predecessor, Google Guaranteed.

The Google Guaranteed program boosts confidence in in-home service providers. Businesses that passed the company’s background checks received a “Google Guaranteed” badge in their Local Service Ads. As part of the program, customers who book those services through Local Service Ads are protected by the Google Guarantee.

The guarantee means that if a customer isn’t satisfied with the quality of the contractor’s work, they can open a claim with Google. Upon review, the search engine will cover claims up to the job invoice amount, with a lifetime cap of $2,000. The Google Screened badge lets searchers know that Google has gone further into the background of a company and can vouch for them having a trusted reputation. This is based on things like license checks and reviews of the company.

The background check performed by Google involve checking the identities and criminal backgrounds of the business owner and employees, as well as cross checking the names of both with sex offender and terrorist registries. The company background will also be checked for their civil litigation history in federal and state courts.

Google will also verify that the business holds all applicable state, provincial, and country-level licenses. These licenses are displayed on the provider profile.

Google currently performs screening for the Following local services:

You can learn more about the specific requirements for the services listed above from Google’s resource on understanding the screening and qualification process. After a business passes the screening process, a green check mark will appear next to the business result along with “Google Screened” text.

Introducing Google Screened

Google Screened works in similar way to its predecessor. Eligible businesses must pass extensive personal and business level background and license checks.

Upon passing those checks successfully, the company can start promoting their business with Google Screened Local Search Ads, and see a Google Screened badge right above those listings.

The badge confirms that the company has passed the necessary checks. It ensures customers that a professional they’ve selected has been vetted and, as the search engine puts it: “provides the added peace of mind as you work with them.”

However, there is no money-back guarantee for customers with this program. Google Screened focuses entirely on building trust by confirming that Google has verified the business as a trustworthy vendor.

Who is Eligible for the Google Screened Program?

The program helps find firms providing professional services, particularly businesses in three eligible categories:

• Attorneys

• Financial Planners

• Real Estate Agents.

To be accepted for the program, your company must:

• Pass a business-level check,

• It must also pass similar owner check,

• Google will also conduct various license checks, depending on the type of business,

• Finally, it might also conduct license checks for employees. Again, whether they do it or not depends on the business type.

Finally, to be eligible for the program, businesses must also have a 3-star rating or higher in Google.

Should You Apply for the Google Screened Program?

Yes, for a number of reasons:

1. Having the “Google Screened” badge beside your local service listing will increase the customers’ trust and confidence in your firm.

2. You’ll be able to run Local Service Ads to attract more customers.

3. Your Local Search Ads listings will receive the most prominent placement in Google’s at the top of Google’s search results, above all other ads, Maps, and other elements. What’s more, the screened and guaranteed graphics are eye-catching and help increase your listing click-through rate.

4. Finally, you might be able to upgrade your Google My Business profile with the Screened badge. The search engine has only been pilot-testing the option to add the Google Guaranteed badge to GMB listing for now. However, should they decide to roll the option out entirely, it will be open to the Screened program participants.

Google Local Service Ads for Lawyers, Estate Agents, and Financial Planners

The two key benefits of getting accepted to the Google Screened program are:

1. Increased customer trust and

2. A fantastic new way to get in front of potential customers.

We’ve covered the first benefit extensively above. Let’s cover the other one – running Local Service Ads – now.

Local Service Ads differ from other local search results – Google Ads, the local pack, and Local Map results.

First of all, they appear above all other listings. The image below shows a typical search results page with various local listings where you can see how prominent the three Local Service Ads (and the Google Screened badge) are.

Local Service Ads stand out on a page too. Not only those listings placed above Maps and the local pack but also feature:

• A vendor’s portrait photo

• The company’s rating and the overall number of reviews the company has in Google

• Phone number,

• And the Google Screened badge - making them impossible to ignore!

Local Service Ads are also a gateway to selecting your business on Google. Clicking on the ad does not take the person to your site. Instead, customers see a page with information about your business in Google, with the Google Screened information displayed prominently to boost their confidence.

It is important to remember that Local Service Ads extend beyond just Google desktop and mobile. These listings are also available on Google Assistant results in response to relevant voice search queries.

Customers who search for services using the Assistant, smartphone, or Google Home devices will hear confirmation that the business is Google Screened.

Bloomerang Solutions can help you get “Google Screened”