Is The Google Screened Badge Worth It?

When you search for certain businesses on Google, a select few appear at the top of the page bearing a little green check mark and the words “Google Screened.”

The Google Screened Badge

Google debuted this badge in September 2019 as a means of verifying and endorsing certain types of local business.

The Google Screened Badge

It is earned through a rigorous screening process and paired with Local Services Ads to further boost rankings in local search results. 

DOES GOOGLE SCREENED CERTIFICATION COST MONEY?

While the Google Screened badge and screening process are free, it must be paired with Local Services Ads, the cost of which varies depending on location.

DOES GOOGLE SCREENED CERTIFICATION COST MONEY?

Unlike typical Google Search Ads, which are usually paid for on a Cost-Per-Click (CPC) basis...

DOES GOOGLE SCREENED CERTIFICATION COST MONEY?

Local Services Ads are paid for on a Cost-Per-Acquisition basis. 

DOES GOOGLE SCREENED CERTIFICATION COST MONEY?

In the sales and marketing world, a customer is “acquired” when they have made a transaction with your business. 

DOES GOOGLE SCREENED CERTIFICATION COST MONEY?

In other words, you pay for your Google Screened ads only when someone clicks on them and contacts you.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR GOOGLE SCREENED ADS?

The Google Screened badge is currently only available to “vertical” markets.

Vertical markets are niche businesses that are meant to address very specific customer needs.

This entails a local address

WHO QUALIFIES FOR GOOGLE SCREENED ADS?

 “Horizontal” markets are those that appeal to a much wider audience and are not necessarily local. 

WHO QUALIFIES FOR GOOGLE SCREENED ADS?

 At the moment, the following verticals are eligible for a Google Screened certification:

Local Attorneys/Law Firms 

Real Estate Agents 

Child Care Providers

Financial Planning Services

SO...  IS GOOGLE SCREENED WORTH IT?

Yes, obtaining your Google Screened badge is worth it for a few reasons.

Companies that appear with a Google Screened are trusted more by users

SO...  IS GOOGLE SCREENED WORTH IT?

the certification provides business owners with more qualified direct-call leads.

It will be given priority not just in paid search results, but also organic ones. 

SO...  IS GOOGLE SCREENED WORTH IT?

you will only pay for your Local Services ad when it is effective–i.e., when someone presses the “click to call” button.

This makes it a relatively low-risk investment as far as paid advertising is concerned.

HELP WITH GOOGLE SCREENED ADS

If you need assistance obtaining your certification and managing your Local Services Ads, a good digital marketer can help. Contact our team at Serenity Digital for a free consultation to see how you can get started.