Google’s Home Service Ads Now Called Local Services Ads, Plus Other Changes
As Google releases a new product, we can expect the roll out to go slowly so they can correct errors and make updates as they go along. That way, once the product is working how they want, they can release a working product across wider audiences and not need to worry about as many issues. As we’re watching things progress with Google’s service ad program, we’re noticing those changes and updates happen.
One of the changes is the name. Now these Home Service Ads we wrote about in September are being referred to as the Local Services ads.
We assume that change is happening because Google is planning on expanding to other categories, like mechanics, dentists and windshield repair. We’re not the only business that’s expecting this; The SEM Post shared that they found windshield repair in San Jose. After seeing that update, we ran a variety of searches and found that category was also showing up in San Diego:
We also noticed that the little green badge has now turned into a circle with a check mark in it and the Google Guarantee is now a little more prominent.
Since the last time we discussed LSAs, Google has also announced more areas where the program has rolled out. As of now, they’re located in 17 cities:
- Arizona: Phoenix
- California: Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose
- Florida: Miami
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Illinois: Chicago
- Massachusetts: Boston
- Michigan: Detroit
- New York: New York
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia
- Texas: Dallas
- Washington: Seattle
- Washington, D.C.
Google has announced they plan to be in 30 cities by the end of the year.
At this time, Google states that the service categories they cover are locksmiths, plumbers, electricians, HVAC and garage door services. Even though we saw the windshield repair category in San Jose and San Diego, we haven’t seen any other additional categories.
Another minor update they’ve made to the program is the refine tool. Before, it was a small section in the upper left corner, but now you must choose the product you need and enter in your ZIP code to get the best possible options:
I’m sure this is just the beginning and we’ll be seeing many more updates to this program as time goes on.
