Getting That Goooood Sleep
Last Updated: October 28, 2025
Getting Verified on Google Local Services: What It Really Takes
Last Updated: October 27, 2025
Getting your business verified on Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) is something a lot of business owners want. That green checkmark next to your name? It tells customers you’re legit. It can help you show up higher in search, build trust, and bring in better leads.
But let’s be honest: getting there is not simple. If you’ve tried to get verified , or worse, had your listing pulled down , you already know how strict Google can be. From background checks to business licenses to physical addresses, the process can feel like a full-time job. And for small businesses just trying to keep the phones ringing, it can be a serious headache.
This guide breaks down what Google’s really asking for, why it matters, and what you can do to get through it without wasting time or money.
What Are Google Local Service Ads and Why Should You Care?
Google Local Service Ads are pay-per-lead ads that show up at the top of search results when someone looks for services in your area. Think “plumber near me” or “emergency electrician”, LSA ads show up even before Google Maps.
If you’re approved, your listing gets a green checkmark that says “Google Guaranteed,” depending on your setup. That badge helps people trust you faster, especially if they’ve never heard of your business before.
What Google Wants Before They Approve You
To get that checkmark, here’s what Google is going to ask for:
- A valid business license
- A real, physical address that matches your license
- Proof of insurance (for certain trades)
- Background checks , not just for the owner, but for any techs or crew going into homes
If any of that is missing, mismatched, or fails the checks, your application gets denied. No appeals, no second chances. Google treats this like a security process, and they don’t budge.
Action Tip: Before you apply, double check that your business license and physical address match exactly. And make sure your whole team is ready for background checks.
The Virtual Address Problem
Google Does Not Accept Virtual Addresses Anymore
If you’re using a PO box, UPS store, shared office, or mailbox rental, stop right there. Google is cracking down hard on virtual addresses. Even if that setup worked in the past, it’s likely to get flagged now. Businesses that were “grandfathered in” are already losing their listings.
What Happens If You Keep Using One?
- You won’t get verified for LSAs
- Your Google Business Profile could be suspended
- Your Maps pin might disappear
Action Tip: Use a physical address where your business is based. It can be your home, shop, or office , but it must match your paperwork and be a real location that Google can verify.
What Counts as a Valid Business Address?
Google wants to see that you’re a real business in a real place. That means:
- Your address matches your business license
- You have signage with your business name, even if it’s just on the mailbox
- You can pass a live video verification call with Google
And no, you can’t stage something last minute. If it looks fake or thrown together, they’ll reject it. They’ve seen every trick in the book.
Action Tip: Walk through your property like you’re showing it to Google. Make sure the signage is clear, the name matches your paperwork, and nothing looks off.
What If Your Listing Got Suspended?
If your Maps listing or LSA profile got taken down because of a virtual address or missing info, getting it back is possible , but it won’t be easy.
Here’s What to Do:
- Get a valid physical address that matches your business license
- Update your info everywhere, website, licenses, secretary of state filings, insurance, etc.
- Submit an appeal to Google with all the supporting documents
Real Talk: Even if you do everything right, Google might still deny the appeal. They don’t explain themselves, and you might not get a straight answer. That’s just how it is.
Action Tip: Be consistent. Everything from your address to your business name needs to line up. One mismatch and you’re likely to get denied again.
Scams and “Shortcuts” to Avoid
Some folks out there will promise to get you verified on LSAs or recover your Maps listing fast , for a fee. Most of the time, it’s a scam. They’ll take your money and ghost you, or worse, use fake info that gets you permanently banned from Google.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- They ignore your virtual address or say it won’t be a problem
- They promise results without asking for your license, insurance, or background checks
- They say they have an “inside contact at Google”
Action Tip: Ask anyone you hire how they handle Google verification. If they can’t walk you through the legit process step by step, walk away.
Are You Ready to Apply? Use This Checklist
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have a physical address (not virtual)? | ||
| Does your address match your business license? | ||
| Can you and all field staff pass background checks? | ||
| Do you have visible signage for video verification? |
If you checked “No” to any of these, focus there first. You won’t get approved until everything lines up.
Do’s and Don’ts for Google LSA and Maps Verification
| Action | Why It Works or Doesn’t | Google’s Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Do: Get background checks for owner and field staff | Proves your business is safe to work with | Required for LSA verification |
| Don’t: Use a virtual address | Will get flagged or denied | Virtual addresses are not accepted |
| Do: Match your business license to your address | Avoids data mismatches and delays | All details must align |
| Don’t: Stage a fake location for the video call | Google can spot fake setups fast | Must be a real business location |
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Look, we won’t sugarcoat it. Getting verified for Google LSAs can be a pain. The rules are strict, the process is clunky, and support is limited. But if you can get through it, the payoff is real. You show up higher in search, earn more trust, and get more leads from people ready to book.
Just know this: Google plays by its own rules. You can’t fake it, shortcut it, or sweet-talk your way through. But you don’t have to figure it all out alone, either.
Need help? We’ve helped contractors, handymen, HVAC techs, and more get verified the right way. No fluff. No scams. Just real help so you can focus on doing the work , not chasing paperwork.
Google Local Service Ads Verification FAQs
Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) are pay‑per‑lead ads that appear at the top of Google Search results when someone looks for a serviced‑based business in their area (e.g., “plumber near me”). Getting verified on LSAs helps your business earn a badge (such as the “Google Verified” badge) that builds trust, increases visibility, and helps your leads convert better.
Before approval, Google requires you to provide a valid business license, a physical address matching that license, proof of insurance (for applicable trades), background checks on the owner and any field techs or crew, and consistency across your business profile.
Google no longer accepts virtual addresses (such as PO boxes, UPS store boxes, shared office mailboxes) for verification. If you use one, your listing may be denied, suspended or removed. Google treats virtual addresses as a risk to authenticity of location.
If your listing is suspended (for example due to mismatched address or using a virtual address), you must obtain a valid physical address matching your license, update your details across your website, licenses, and profile, and submit an appeal to Google with documentation. However, re‑approval is not guaranteed and Google may not give a detailed explanation.
Yes — you should avoid services that promise fast verification, rely on fake information, or ignore address/licensing/insurance/background check requirements. These may lead to permanent bans from Google. Always follow Google’s legit process.
Despite the burdensome process, it can absolutely be worth it. Getting verified increases your search visibility, builds trust with potential customers and can generate better leads. But you must be prepared: Google’s standards are non‑negotiable.
Pups Who Hate Bath Time
Last Updated: October 22, 2025
ScamWatch: Red Flags To Watch For When Hiring A Marketing Company
Last Updated: October 22, 2025
You’ve probably had at least a few smooth-talking marketing folks try to sell you on a “game-changing” package. They’ll throw out big promises and bigger price tags, hoping you’ll sign a long-term contract before you ask too many questions.
Here’s the thing: most of these folks are better at selling themselves than actually bringing you work. So how do you spot the ones who talk a big game but can’t deliver?
Here are six red flags to help you sniff out the BS before you step in it:
1. They Speak in Buzzwords You Don’t Understand
“We’re leveraging PPC to optimize your ROI while aligning your conversion funnel.” Sound familiar?
If someone can’t explain what they do in plain English, chances are they don’t fully understand it either. If they wouldn’t say it at a backyard BBQ, don’t let them say it to you in a sales meeting.
Sure, some jargon will slip into the conversation, that’s inevitable. The red flag is when it’s a steady stream of buzzwords and no effort to explain them (unless you press for it). If they can’t break it down like they’re talking to a relative, you’re not talking to a pro.
2. They Promise You’ll Be “Top of Google” Fast
Getting to the top of Google is like building a house, it takes time, tools, and the right crew. Anyone promising instant SEO results is either lying or using shady tactics that can hurt you down the road.
Now, if you’re running paid ads (PPC), you can buy your way to the top of Google, but that’s not SEO. And it gets expensive fast. A good strategy often uses both, but they need to be coordinated.
The real red flag? When someone talks about instant organic rankings. That’s not how SEO works. Those two go together like ice cream and pickles.
3. They Don’t Ask About Your Business Details
A good marketer doesn’t show up with a pitch deck, they show up with questions. The kind that prove they actually care about making your business succeed. Like:
- Which jobs make you the most money?
- Which towns, cities, or neighborhoods do you want to target?
- Is your focus being low-cost, high-value, premium best-of-the-best, or something else?
If they skip all that and jump straight into a cookie-cutter pitch, they’re not marketing your business, they’re just selling theirs.
4. They Push You Into a Long-Term Contract on Day One
Why lock you into a year-long deal before they’ve proven anything? Simple: they want guaranteed money whether their strategy works or not. A confident, competent marketing partner will offer flexible terms and let their results do the convincing.
That said, it’s not unreasonable to ask for a short-term commitment, something like 3-6 months, especially with SEO campaigns. Results take time. You need content, links, and technical work to be created. Then platforms like Google have to find, index, and rank that content. None of that is instant.
Still, be cautious. Long-term contracts are a favorite tactic of low-quality marketers. They’re often used to lock in revenue without having to actually perform.
5. They Talk About “Brand Awareness” Instead of Leads
Brand awareness is nice, but unless it turns into calls, emails, or bookings, it’s not doing much for you. You’re not here to win design awards; you’re here to get jobs.
Clicks, traffic, and time-on-page are fine to monitor, but they’re not the goal. They’re just early signs that something might be working. A good marketer keeps the main thing the main thing: leads.
6. They Have No Track Record in Your Industry
If you run an appliance repair business and they show you case studies from hair salons or t-shirt shops, that’s a problem.
You need someone who knows how to get results for industries like yours, contractors, electricians, HVAC, plumbing, and so on. While 80% of digital marketing strategies are transferable, the other 20% is industry-specific. That part matters a lot.
Ask to see actual examples from businesses in the trades. If they can’t show you that, you don’t want to be their guinea pig.
Bottom line?
If your gut says something’s off, trust it. This industry is full of slick talkers, snake oil salesmen, and rookies trying to fake it till they make it. Good providers do exist, but this is shark-infested water, so you need to know how to spot a dolphin from a shark.
You’ve worked too hard to hand over your budget to someone who sounds smart but can’t show results. It’s better to have a simple website and a packed calendar than a slick setup that doesn’t bring in a dime.
Marketing Agency Red Flags FAQs
Some common red flags include: the company only using jargon and buzzwords you don’t understand; promising instant top‑of‑Google rankings; not asking detailed questions about your business; pushing you into a long‑term contract immediately; focusing more on ‘brand awareness’ than actual leads; and having no track record in your type of industry.
If a marketing agency speaks in a steady stream of buzzwords and cannot explain their approach in plain English, it could indicate they lack true understanding or are relying on hype rather than proven methods.
No — while you can buy paid ads to appear prominently, genuine organic SEO takes time, tools, and a coordinated strategy. A promise of instant top‑of‑Google rankings is a red flag and may indicate the use of risky or “black hat” tactics.
A strong marketing partner will ask about your best‑performing services, target locations, business positioning (low‑cost vs premium), and other key details. If they skip this and present a cookie‑cutter pitch right away, it suggests they’re selling a generic solution rather than tailoring a strategy to your business.
Not always, but you should be cautious. SEO campaigns often take 3‑6 months to show meaningful results, so a short‑term commitment may make sense. However, being locked into a year‑long contract on day one before any proof of performance is a red flag.
While brand awareness has value, for many businesses the primary goal is generating tangible leads — calls, emails, bookings. A marketing company that emphasizes metrics like clicks or “awareness” without focusing on lead generation may be misaligned with your business needs.
It’s very important. While many marketing fundamentals are transferable, around 20% of strategy is industry‑specific. If an agency shows only case studies from unrelated industries (e.g., salons when you’re in plumbing or HVAC), that’s a red flag.
If something feels off, trust your instincts. The article states: “This industry is full of slick talkers, snake‑oil salesmen, and rookies trying to fake it till they make it.” Good providers do exist, but you need to know how to spot the sharks.
Don’t Do That, You’ll Get In Trouble!
Last Updated: October 15, 2025
