Search: A potential customer searches on Google for a local service (e.g., "plumber near me").
Display: LSA ads for verified local businesses appear at the top of the search results. These ads display the business name, phone number, ratings, hours, and the Google trust badge.
Connect: The customer can click to call or message the business directly from the ad.
Pay: The business pays Google only for these valid leads.
Manage (with uLSA): Our uLSA team reviews calls, rates them for quality, and (where applicable, primarily in the US and Canada) works to get credits for unqualified leads (e.g., spam, sales calls, requests for services not offered).
FAQs
Leads & Call Management
Q: What happens when clients receive calls through the service?
A:We review all calls received through the Local Service Ads (LSA) to ensure quality. If any are unqualified or irrelevant, we dispute them with Google on your behalf to help avoid unnecessary charges and ensure you’re only paying for valuable leads.
Q: What if the calls received are not satisfactory?
A: If calls are not qualified leads (e.g., spam, wrong service request, outside service area), our uLSA team will review these calls and messages. In regions like the US and Canada where lead rating/dispute for credit is available, we will take appropriate action with Google to seek credits for those non-qualified leads.
Q: Do clients pay for LSA calls from prospects looking for a job or sales calls?
A: No, clients should only pay for qualified leads. If such calls come through, our team will identify them and, where applicable, dispute or rate them accordingly with Google to try and recover the cost.
Q: What happens to disputed/poorly rated calls?
A: Leads that are successfully disputed or confirmed by Google as poor quality (based on ratings) are typically credited back to your Google LSA ad spend budget. In the dashboard, these calls might be moved to an archive or marked in a way that indicates they were not charged.
Q: If a client has multiple business locations, will one LSA verification cover all of them?
A: No. While a client can have multiple LSA accounts/profiles for different locations, each physical location or distinct service entity typically requires its own separate verification process to earn a Google badge.
Q: Does a "Google Screened" badge come with a financial guarantee like "Google Guaranteed"?
A: No. The "Google Screened" badge (for professionals like lawyers, realtors) signifies that the business has passed Google's background and license checks, but it does not include the $2,000 service quality guarantee. That financial guarantee is specific to the "Google Guaranteed" badge (for home services).
Campaign Management & Performance
Q: How long does it take to start receiving calls after setup?
A: Once the verification process is complete and ads are live (which can take up to 3 weeks for verification), clients can typically expect to start receiving calls and messages within 1 to 4 weeks. The average is often 2 weeks to 30 days post-setup, but this can vary based on market competition, budget, and industry.
Q: Can I pause my LSA ads if my business gets too busy?
A: Yes, you or our team can pause your LSA ads at any time. This will not negatively impact your ad's ranking when you reactivate it.
Q: Can a client determine the specific hours their LSA ads are shown?
A: Yes, clients can define an ad schedule for their LSAs (e.g., business hours only). This can be managed in the LSA Google account or requested as a modification through our uLSA service team.
Q: What if my LSA service stops working or performance drops?
A: As part of the uLSA service, our team will investigate. This may involve:
Reviewing the ad account's quality score; if it's low, we may need to work with Google or even consider setting up a new profile.
Ensuring leads are being properly marked/completed in the dashboard (not just archived, as this can affect quality score).
Verifying that incoming leads match the client’s service area and offerings, and disputing/rating non-qualified leads.
Q: Why are my ads not always at the top spot?
A: LSA visibility can fluctuate. Google rotates ads, and factors like your budget, bid, competition, ad quality, and even the searcher's specific location and search history can influence placement. The goal of uLSA management is to get your ad into consistent rotation in the top LSA block. Also, LSAs are geographically targeted; you might not see your ad if you search from outside your designated service zone.
Q: Do clients get access to a Google Dashboard?
A: Yes, every client receives access to their Google LSA dashboard where they can view their account, leads, and manage certain settings. Our team provides the primary management and optimization as part of the uLSA service.
Q: What is the role of LSAs in the broader landscape of service provider qualifications?
A: LSAs actively elevate industry standards by emphasizing and verifying licenses, bonds, and insurance. This promotes safety and trust on Google's platform and influences the qualifications providers must meet to compete effectively online.
