News and Notes From Google Local Services Ads: March 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of "News and Notes From Google Local Services Ads," where we bring you essential updates for lawyers from the Google Partner newsletter, covering key changes and adjustments that impact how legal professionals can effectively leverage Google LSAs to grow their practices and stay ahead in their marketing strategies. Stay informed and maximize your advertising efforts with the latest insights tailored specifically for law firms.

Approximate Read Time: 2 Minutes

Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) are an essential tool for lawyers looking to enhance their online visibility and credibility by securing prime placement at the top of Google search engine results pages (SERPs) and earning the “Google Screened” badge. In an ever-changing digital landscape, LSAs consistently deliver value by connecting legal professionals with potential clients before other paid and organic results.

To maximize the benefits of LSAs, it’s crucial for lawyers to stay updated on ongoing changes and developments in this powerful marketing tool. Justia’s expert legal marketing specialists closely monitor these updates, providing law firms with exclusive insights from the Google Partner newsletter to help shape effective digital marketing strategies and stay ahead of the competition.

Reminder: All LSAs Now Require a Verified Google Business Profile

All new and existing LSA profiles in the US and Canada must be linked to a verified Google Business Profile (GBP) that matches the corresponding LSA listing. If an account has stopped serving due to this requirement, it will resume displaying once the GBP is affiliated and verified. Partners operating under special aggregator agreements are currently exempt from this mandate. Here, you can find out more about how to claim and verify your GBPs.

New: LSA Reviews Are Being Phased Out — New Reviews Will Come Directly from Your Business Profile

Google Local Services Ads are consolidating reviews with Google Business Profile, meaning new reviews will now be collected through GBP rather than the old LSA vanity link. Later this year, existing LSA reviews are expected to be migrated to GBP so all reviews can be managed in one centralized location.

New: Reserve with Google: New Booking Partners for LSA and GBP [Update]

Reserve with Google now delivers a unified, seamless booking experience across Local Services Ads (LSA), Google Business Profile (GBP), and Google Maps. Providers who currently utilize these booking partners for organic GBP appointments but have not activated booking leads for LSAs have received an email notification outlining the new integrated booking functionality along with instructions on opting out. Booking functionality is available for all verticals except healthcare.

Activating bookings is considered an LSA best practice because it broadens the ways potential clients can contact your firm, ultimately helping to enhance your ad ranking. Learn more about our booking partners and how booking leads can benefit your practice.

Final Thoughts: Why Do You Care?

A comprehensive digital marketing strategy that includes Google Local Services Ads is vital in increasing your firm’s online visibility and connecting you with potential clients. LSAs integrate effortlessly with your existing marketing channels, creating additional opportunities to attract new leads and steadily grow your practice.

To ensure your Google LSAs achieve peak performance and to explore advanced search engine marketing solutions, the Justia Amplify team provides tailored PPC management services designed specifically for law firms. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can help optimize your LSAs and drive lasting success for your practice.

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.