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Google Guaranteed and Google Verified

How to get Google Guaranteed in 2026: 10 things to know now that it is Google Verified

On October 20, 2025, Google replaced the Google Guaranteed, Google Screened and License Verified badges with one Google Verified badge on Local Services Ads, and ended the money back guarantee that came with Google Guaranteed. If you searched how to get Google Guaranteed, this is how the badge works now, what Google checks, and how Local Services Ads and your Google Business Profile work together.

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  • One business of each type per area
  • No contract
  • Nothing changes without your approval
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Where the calls go

How to get Google Guaranteed, now Google Verified: 10 things to know about Local Services Ads, and what we do about each

A business owner reviewing a phone with a generic map and reviews

  1. The badge is part of Local Services Ads, not your map listing.

    Google Guaranteed is earned by signing up for Local Services Ads and passing Google's checks. It does not appear on the regular map listing you do not pay per click for, which comes from your Google Business Profile.

    What we do: we keep your Google Business Profile in shape, which is the listing that carries your reviews, posts and photos whether or not you run ads.

  2. Google Guaranteed and Google Screened are now one badge.

    Since October 20, 2025, home service trades and professional services both earn the same Google Verified badge, and the old money back guarantee for customers has ended. The badge shows which checks your business passed, such as a license or background check.

    What we do: we help you check what Google Verified requires for your trade in your area before you spend time on the application.

  3. Background checks are usually required.

    Google works with outside companies to run background checks, usually on the owner and often on field workers who go to customers' homes. What is required depends on your trade, your state and how your business is set up.

    What we do: we tell you what Google usually asks for in your trade so you can have the right people and details ready.

  4. License checks depend on your trade and state.

    If your state or city requires a license for your work, Google usually checks that it is active and in the business's name. Trades that need no license in your area may skip this step.

    What we do: we help you make sure the business name, address and phone on your license match your Google profile, which avoids delays.

  5. Insurance checks are common.

    Google usually asks for proof of general liability insurance, and the coverage needed can vary by trade and location. The policy should be in the business's name and current.

    What we do: we give you a short checklist of documents to gather before you apply, so the review does not stall.

  6. You pay per lead, not per click.

    Local Services Ads charge when a customer contacts you through the ad, such as a call, message or booking request, not when someone just looks at it. You set a weekly budget, and you can usually dispute leads that do not fit, like wrong trade or wrong area.

    What we do: we help you sort good leads from bad ones and route calls to the AI receptionist when your team cannot pick up, so paid leads are not missed.

    AI receptionist for service businesses

  7. Reviews and responsiveness affect where the ad shows.

    Google says things like how close you are to the customer, your reviews, how quickly you respond and your business hours can affect how often your ad shows. Reviews from your Google Business Profile can show on your ad once the two are linked.

    What we do: we suggest replies to every new review for you to approve and help you build a steady flow of new ones from real customers.

  8. The badge does not replace the map listing.

    Many customers scroll past ads to the map results, and the map keeps working when your ad budget runs out. Running both gives you two chances on the same page.

    What we do: we work on the regular map listing you do not pay per click for, so your calls do not depend only on your ad budget.

  9. Your business details have to match everywhere.

    Applications can stall when the name, address or phone on your license, insurance and Google Business Profile do not match. Fixing your profile and citations first can make the process smoother.

    What we do: we clean up your Google Business Profile and main citations so your details line up before you apply.

  10. Know where you stand on the map before you buy ads.

    If you already show in the top 3 across much of your area, ads may add less. If you are missing in towns you want, ads can fill gaps while the map work catches up.

    What we do: we run a 49 point scan of your service area so you can see where the map already brings you calls and where ads might help.

Proof

What we have found on real Google profiles

We sign mutual NDAs with our clients, so we describe the work instead of naming the business.

A locksmith in Southern California had no Google profile, so it appeared at 0 of 49 points. We coached the owner through Google's video verification, and a rescan on the same grid found it at 30 of 49 points and in the top 3 at 10.
An appliance repair and HVAC company in Utah with more than 250 reviews at 5.0 ranked only 10th at its own address. We traced it to a shared coworking address, switched it to a service area business with 20 towns and advised against opening a second profile that could risk a suspension.
A new pest control company in South Carolina had no Google profile, so it did not appear at any of 49 points. A competitor with only 11 reviews held 10% of the map.
A garage door company in South Jersey did not appear at any of 49 points for garage door repair when we scanned it. Its listing had no garage door category and showed as unclaimed.
A chimney company in New Hampshire still ranked around its old address four years after moving when we scanned it, and its listing showed as unclaimed.
On a Utah company's first scan, the HVAC map leader had only 4 reviews and held 16.3% of the top spots. The company itself had more than 250 reviews at 5.0 and held none.

Every business and market is different. We do not promise rankings. We show you the same map every month so you can see what changed.

Why us

Why owners hand us their Google Business Profile alongside their ads

  • One business of each type per service area. We will not work for your direct competitor in the same towns.
  • Google Business Profiles and Google Maps are what we focus on, not a menu of everything.
  • You see the proof: a 49 point map of your area before we start, and the same map every month after.
  • Nothing changes on your profile without your written approval, and you stay the owner of it.
  • No contract. Stay because it is working.
Google Business Profile optimizationHow to verify your Google Business Profile
The package

What you get every month

  • A 49 point Google Maps scan of your service area before we start
  • Profile fixes: categories, services, description, service area, hours, attributes and booking or quote links
  • One post a week plus up to three photos from your work, approved by you
  • Suggested replies to new reviews, posted only after you approve
  • A weekly profile check that catches changes Google or anyone else makes
  • A monthly rescan on the same 49 points, with a plain update on your map, calls and clicks from Google, what we did and what comes next

Pricing comes with your scan. Request your map scan at no cost and we will send your map, a short video walkthrough and pricing together.

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Guides

More Google Business Profile guides

Straight answers

Common questions

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See where your map listing stands before you buy ads.

Send us your business and the towns you want customers from. We will run your 49 point map scan and send your map, a short video walkthrough and pricing together.

What happens next
  1. 1.We run your map scan and look at your profile and search results.
  2. 2.You get a short note with what we would fix first.
  3. 3.If it makes sense, we set it up on a 15 minute call.
What do you need help with?

Pick as many as you like, or none if you are not sure yet.

No obligation. We will tell you straight what we would do.