News and Notes From Google Local Services Ads: July 2024

We're back with important updates for lawyers using Google Local Services Ads! Take a look at the new changes and adjustments highlighted in the Google Partner newsletter, ensuring you remain informed about the latest developments influencing how lawyers promote their practices.

Approximate Read Time: 2 Minutes

Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) are a vital asset for lawyers, allowing them to feature their practices prominently at the top of Google search engine results pages (SERPs) and gain the esteemed “Google Screened” badge for increased credibility. In a rapidly changing online environment, LSAs offer consistent value by ensuring top visibility and the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience of potential clients.

Lawyers must stay informed about the evolving LSA landscape to take advantage of Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) benefits. Justia’s expert legal marketing specialists continuously monitor these changes, providing law firms with the latest insights from the exclusive Google Partner newsletter.

New: Lawyer Identity Verification Now Required in Certain States

Lawyers now need to complete an identity check to verify their business affiliation. These checks are crucial for preventing impersonation and protecting consumers. Consequently, lawyers’ business screening and verification requirements have been adjusted to incorporate these changes, ensuring that only verified professionals can use the platform.

To meet these new requirements, lawyers should log in to their Local Services Dashboard and make sure that their name matches across all documentation, including the account roster, law license, and ID authentication document. Minor variations in names will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If your account is affected, you should have received an email to begin the identity check. If not, you must remove and then re-add the users on the Local Services Business Verification or Profile and Budget page, ensuring each lawyer has a unique email address so Evident can create a case.

If your ad has stopped serving, it may be because the updated verification process has been enforced. Advertisers who have not completed and passed the identity check have had their ads paused after receiving five prior notifications. To reinstate your ads, complete the identity verification and/or pass the license check.

New: Automating Lead Credits for LSAs

Google is streamlining the process for receiving credit for poor-quality leads with Automated Local Services Ads lead credits. This new system will replace the current lead dispute process with automatic crediting, ensuring you receive refunds for poor-quality leads without having to file a dispute and allowing you to get your money back more quickly.

Although credits for “job type not serviced” and “geo not serviced” leads will be discontinued, the overall number of credited leads will increase. Your feedback is essential, so please share your thoughts on individual leads through the new Lead Feedback Survey in your lead inbox (Disclaimer: This feature was not fully rolled out at the time of publishing. Thus, you may not be able to see it on your LSA yet.). This update is scheduled to launch in July, and you are not required to take any action. For more information, refer to the Help Center article or speak with your LSA representative.

Final Thoughts: Why Do You Care?

For lawyers seeking maximum results from digital marketing efforts, staying updated and optimizing search engine marketing strategies is crucial for achieving practice growth goals and maximizing return on investment. Justia Amplify offers tailored PPC management services that ensure Google Local Services Ads perform at their peak. Whether you’re evaluating strategy performance or aiming to optimize ad impact, our team is ready to assist. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to boost your online visibility and achieve your law firm’s full potential.

Justia offers premium website, blogging, and online marketing solutions for law firms. We have an unparalleled record in helping law firms grow. Regardless of whether you are just starting your online marketing efforts or have a fully developed website and blog, we have solutions to help propel you to the next level. In addition to our website and blog services, we also help clients with content, lawyer directory services, social media, local SEO, and PPC Management. Contact us for more information, or call us at (888) 587-8421.