Open lesson · Free
Understand optional Local Services Ads
Distinguish free profile work from optional paid advertising and current badge eligibility.
This written lesson is currently in English. Thai lesson translations and narration are planned.
This lesson explains an optional feature. Inspect what exists or document a setup assessment; no purchase is required.
This lesson is ready to read and practise. English narration is awaiting production and source review; Thai narration follows next.
Understand
Local Services Ads are optional paid advertising, separate from a free Business Profile. Eligibility depends on supported service categories and areas, with applicable screening and verification requirements. Learning how the channel works does not require joining it, choosing a budget or launching an ad. Keep this assessment separate from the profile changes in the rest of the path.
Current Local Services guidance uses the Google Verified badge for eligible advertisers after the applicable checks. Older Google Guaranteed or Google Screened wording should not be treated as today's universal badge process. Check the current requirements for the actual business rather than promising identical licensing, insurance or background checks to everyone. An eligibility assessment or 'not applicable' record completes this learning exercise without spending money.
Practice example
A fictional cleaning business checks whether its service and region are supported. It records the applicable requirements and chooses free profile work, without submitting an advertiser signup or setting a budget.
RIM coaching: Only the owner can separately choose a paid advertising project. Academy completion and rewards never require buying leads or receiving an advertiser badge.
Read the original source below. Identify which features apply to your business and which facts you need to confirm before making changes.
- Google Service Business Profile Playbook 2026Original Google instruction
- Current Google Verified guidanceCurrent Google policy
Practise
Apply to your business
Check official category/region eligibility and the current Google Verified process as a learning exercise. Do not launch ads or set a budget for course completion.
Keep proof of your work
An eligibility assessment or not-applicable record, with no paid campaign required.
A saved note is an owner report. Evidence is checked separately; keep drafts, applied changes and public observations distinct.
Check what changed
Only assess campaign results if the owner separately chooses paid advertising.
Your learning record
Checking sign-in for optional saved progress. The lesson and practice check are available now.