Mark your calendars. On November 21, 2024, Google will be changing how its Local Services Ads work. In an effort to crack down on fraud, Google will only allow businesses with a verified Google Business Profile to run these ads. While verifying your Google Business Profile is easy, it does take some time to finalize.

Local Services Ads are crucial to small businesses as they allow businesses to advertise services and products to local leads. These ads display hours of operation, customer reviews, and the geographic area that you serve. In contrast to regular Google ads, Local Service Ads appear at the top of Google Search Results and Google Maps to attract more customers.

If you have a business that currently uses Google Local Services Ads but does not have a verified Google Business Profile, your ad may be paused until the verification process is complete. This could result in a temporary or permanent loss of advertising opportunities if you do not meet the new requirements by the deadline.

Small businesses can ensure their ads continue running without interruption by verifying their Google Business Profile as soon as possible to comply with Google’s new policies. The process is rather simple. First, business owners should either claim or add their business address on Google. Second, businesses will confirm it using one of several methods, such as phone, text, email, or video verification. The verification process may vary depending on the business type and location and could also require submitting additional documentation like business registration, insurance, or licensing details. Then, business owners will receive a notification once their profile is successfully verified.

Verification can take up to seven business days. To stay ahead of the changes, it is highly recommended that businesses review and complete their Google Business Profile verification well before November 21, 2024. This will ensure that your Local Services Ads continue running smoothly and your business remains visible to potential customers in your area. By acting now, you can avoid disruptions to your advertising strategy and maintain your competitive edge in local search results.

For more information, follow this link:  https://support.google.com/business/answer/7107242?hl=en

For help with your small business’s legal needs, contact the Small Business Clinic at businessclinic@elon.edu.

 

Comments are closed.