The following article was originally published on our main agency website. We’ve gone through the process now of setting up these Google Guarantee Ads for a couple of roofers and they’re seeing great results. We know this is going to be huge for auto repair shops as well. We hope you find value in this article. Let us know if you have any questions about Google Guarantee Ads or the process of becoming verified. The best way to do that is to join our Facebook group – “Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind” – and ask in there, that way others benefit from your questions and comments.
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Google Guarantee Ads are a semi-new ad service offered by Google. This service was introduced around 2016 in limited areas and has since rolled out to most major cities.
Think of them like if Home Advisor and Google Ads had a baby — it would be Google Guarantee Ads.
The skinny: Google’s purpose for this program is to crack down on low-quality companies abusing Google Ads. Their solution — a program which verifies companies through an application process. Those who are accepted get the Google Guarantee badge and top paid ad placement.
For example, Google does not want Joe Schmoe’s sketchy roofing company that he runs out of his garage and does not have insurance. Google does want The Roofing Pros who have been in business for 30+ years, who are a proven professional company, and who are licensed and insured.
Getting started. If your company already pays for Google Ads, I’m sure you’re ready to get on that guaranteed bandwagon right now. However, only certain companies are accepted and Google is picky about who they accept.
Three things to know before you get started:
- Google Guarantee ads have to be available in your area — it is not yet available in all cities.
- The service you provide has to be on their list. It’s mainly geared towards home services, but the list is growing.
- Your company has to be legit. Like, super legit. You have to have insurance.
Here’s a sneak peek at the services that are available right now.
Here is a list of services that Google’s Guarantee Ads are available for right now:
- Appliance Repair
- Auto Service Technician
- Carpet Cleaner
- Electrician
- Event Planner
- Garage Door Pro
- HVAC Pro
- House Cleaner
- Junk Removal Provider
- Lawn Care Provider
- Locksmith
- Mover
- Pest Control Technician
- Pet Care Provider
- Pet Groomer
- Photographer
- Plumber
- Roofer
- Tree Service Provider
- Tutor
- Water Damage Service Provider
- Window Cleaner
- Window Service Provider
The “other” category. If you fall into the “other” category you can check to see if you qualify, but most likely you’ll see the message below. However, you can sign up to get a notification when it becomes available in your industry, in your area.
The application process is extensive. The application is dense and you have to provide company licensing and insurance information, and you even have to get background checked. Once the application is submitted, it can take up to 4 weeks to be Google Guarantee verified.
Requirements:
- A valid professional license
- Valid liability insurance
- At least 10 Google reviews
- Have been in business for more than 3 years
- Bandwidth to manage leads on an ongoing basis
What do you get for all this effort? Position zero placement on Google Ads.
Your ads are above everyone else’s.
Your ads are above the Google Maps listings.
Your ads are above all organic search results.
And you get the Google Guarantee badge 
The boxes with the badges at the top of this screenshot are what Google Guarantee ads look like.
You’ll also get access to a savvy portal which is like a suped-up Google My Business, but with ad capability. You can run your Guarantee Ads from this console, and you can also add reviews, photos, and other things like what you can do in Google My Business.
Bottom line. The application process will take time and patience and it is 100% worth the effort. More and more companies are signing on with this program and we suggest you do too. Check now to see if Google Guarantee ads are available to you.
