What happened to the Google Guaranteed badge?
Published Last updated
Founder, ProveWorth
The Google Guaranteed badge has been replaced. Google's Local Services help pages now describe a single Google Verified badge in its place. Google also says it discontinued the Money Back Guarantee tied to the old Google Guarantee badge.
Google says businesses are not charged for the background check, and its screening page lists no other fee. Google also says Local Services Ads ranking will not be affected by the switch to one badge.
The catch is eligibility. Pet waste removal was not on the Local Services category list when I checked it. Check eligibility in Google's tool first, before you spend a weekend on paperwork.
Is the Google Guaranteed badge gone?
As a name, yes. Google's Local Services pages now describe one Google Verified badge, and Search Engine Roundtable quoted Google saying a single badge would launch for all advertisers.
Google also says it discontinued the Money Back Guarantee tied to the old badge. Do not lean on a guarantee to reassure customers.
What does the Google Verified badge cost?
Google lists no fee for the badge. Its screening page says businesses aren't charged for the background check.
The real cost is time, documents and insurance you already need. Google checks business registration, identity, insurance and licenses, and a background check for some categories, depending on category and region.
Does the badge help my ranking?
Google says Local Services Ads ranking will not be affected by the switch to one badge. No Google page I read says the badge raises rank.
So pass on anyone who sells the badge as a way to jump above competitors.
Can my business get it?
Only if Local Services Ads cover your category and area. Google says the ads are available only for certain service categories, and it gives an eligibility check.
Lawn care, junk removal, house cleaning, pest control, carpet cleaning, tree services, plumbers and landscaping are on the list. Pet waste removal and pooper scooper were not. Do not pick a nearby category to force your way in.
What do I do next?
Run Google's eligibility check first. If your category is missing, Google's own line is to try Google Ads, and Local Services Ads vs Google Ads shows how the two bill. The longer version is Google Local Services Ads.
Reviews on your own page work in any category, with or without a badge. You can get your free page or see how it works.
Sources
Key takeaways
- 1Google's Local Services help pages now describe one Google Verified badge.
- 2Google says it discontinued the Money Back Guarantee tied to the old Google Guarantee badge.
- 3Google says businesses are not charged for the background check, and its screening page lists no other fee.
- 4Google says Local Services Ads ranking will not be affected by the switch to one badge.
- 5Pet waste removal was not on the Local Services category list when this page was checked.
Related questions
Is the Google Guaranteed badge still around?
Google's Local Services help pages now describe a single Google Verified badge. They say the Money Back Guarantee tied to the old badge was discontinued.
How much does the Google Verified badge cost?
Google says businesses are not charged for the background check, and its screening page lists no other fee. Your time, documents and insurance are the real cost.
Does the badge improve my ranking?
Google says Local Services Ads ranking will not be affected by the switch to one badge. No Google page I read says the badge raises rank.
Does Google still refund customers?
Google says it discontinued the Money Back Guarantee tied to the old badge, so do not count on one.
Can a pet waste removal business get the badge?
Pet waste removal was not on the Local Services category list when this page was checked. Use Google's eligibility check before you start.