Google Screened : Everything You Need to Know
The Google Screened badge helps professional service providers, and groups develop reliable online reputations. Service providers are not charged for the screening procedure, and the primary purpose of Google introducing this revolutionary service is to provide a high level of security to users seeking professional services.
With Google Screened, companies may receive a green checkmark next to their position in the search results after passing a background check in specific areas.
This article will explore what Google Screened is, its advantages, and why it’s an essential tool for service professionals. We shall also discuss which professional services should acquire this badge and the difference between Google Screened and Google Guaranteed.
What is Google Screened?
Google Screened is a verification method to build confidence between service providers and prospective clients. It appears in front of the service provider name as a visible green checkmark badge on the Google search results page, indicating that the company has passed it through Google’s strict screening procedure.
Users immediately get drawn in by this attractive badge, which highlights the screened businesses. Customers mainly depend on search engines to find trustworthy and reliable service providers in the modern digital age.
With so many options available, it can be difficult for customers to differentiate between qualified experts and those who could fail to meet their expectations for quality. With its fantastic service and cutting-edge technology, Google Screened guides consumers looking for professional services and protects them from unqualified and poor service.
How Does Google Screened Work?
For the verification of the reliability and validity of service providers, Google Screened strictly and carefully concentrates on business legitimacy, license verification, and background checks.
Let’s analyze each of these aspects in more detail.
1. Background Checks
To uphold the highest possible standard of professionalism, Google Screened requires that service providers pass extensive and strict background checks.
Google performs these checks with credible third-party agencies to ensure that only reliable professionals pass the screening process.
When choosing a professional for their needs, people may have security, satisfaction, and peace of mind by checking service providers’ service records.
2. License Verification
Obtaining a valid license and insurance is crucial for some professions, including law and financial planning.
Service providers who want to use Google Screened must show they have the required insurance policies and licenses to be accepted via the screening procedure.
This verification step gives users more confidence to work with qualified and authorized providers.
3. Business Legitimacy Check
Google Screened ensures the service provider’s business is legitimate by confirming the business address, contact details, and relevant professional qualifications.
Authenticity checks safeguard users safe from scams and unreliable companies. By verifying the company’s legitimacy, Google Screened significantly decreases the possibility that consumers may fall victim to fraudulent or dishonest service providers.
Importance of Google Screened for Service Professionals
Here are some important points of Google Screened for service professionals :
i. Online Presence
Service providers are likelier to stand out in search results and draw in potential clients if they have the Google Screened badge.
Higher conversion rates may result from this increased visibility, which could open up new business opportunities.
ii. Ensures Reliability
The Google Screened badge gives Prospective clients a sense of trust and confidence, which is a sign of approval.
Service providers can set themselves apart from the competition and gain a reputation by following Google’s strict guidelines.
iii. Competitive Advantage
Being an early user of Google Screened can give service providers a competitive advantage, as it is a relatively new service.
By embracing this trust-building method, professionals may establish themselves as leaders in their businesses dedicated to upholding the highest standards of reliability and excellence.
iv. Qualified Leads
Service providers should expect higher-quality leads because Google Screened only includes verified experts in search results.
It means more attention to providing interested and relevant consumers outstanding service and less time to handling unqualified inquiries.
Which Professionals Could Use Google Screened?
The Google Screened Badge is available to businesses that offer professional services, including legal advice, financial planning, and real estate, as well as those that serve child care, preschool, auto care, beauty, and other general category industries.
Remember that this badge is only available to local providers who focus on a particular service and have a local address.
Below is the more precise detail of acquiring the Google Screened badge process for the most demanding service providers.
i. Lawyers and Attorneys
Lawyers who want to acquire the screened badge on their profile must go through Google’s stringent verification process. Local Services uses the Google Screened mark to confirm that each lawyer has an active legal license.
Since lawyers must fulfill all state requirements and procedures to obtain practice licenses in their respective jurisdictions,
Local Services does not conduct an additional background check on Google Screened lawyers.
ii. Real Estate Agents
The Real Estate brokers and agents undergo a license verification process and go through a company registration and insurance check to receive the Google Screened badge.
However, if they have already gone through the process to obtain their state’s realtor license, they may prevent going through it again, and Local Services won’t need to conduct a second background check.
iii. Financial Advice Service
Every Google Screened badge holder Businesses that provide financial advice and planning must pass business-level and business-owner background checks.
Similarly, financial advisors, such as tax experts and certified public accountants, must also pass business-level and business-owner background checks.
Furthermore, before the business license is verified, every employee associated with the business must undergo a similar procedure.
iv. Pre-School and Child Care Providers
All professional Preschool service providers, educators, and childcare providers must pass a license check to obtain a Google Screened Badge.
Local Services will not require a separate background check for Google Screened child care service providers because they must undergo a routine background check to receive their license.
v. Miscellaneous Service Providers
All auto and beauty services providers with the Google Screened badges have met background checks, license, and insurance requirements.
Storage, insurance agency, and cell phone or laptop repair categories with the Google Screened badges have also passed Google’s strict background checks and other requirements.
How to Get a Google Screened Badge?
The Google screening process is simple, cost-free, and open to most professional service providers. Yet, this does not imply that the procedure requires a mere few hours.
The verification and review procedure usually takes two to three days. Nonetheless, the background checks might take a little longer.
Required Documents
Possibly, you could be asked to produce these documents and certificates when applying for a Google Screened Badge.
- Business owner’s authorized background Information
- Social Security Number
- A valid Driver’s License
- Personal Clearance Certificate from the local police department
- Business Insurance Proof
- License Information
- Business Registration Documents
- Federal, State, and Local Service Provider License
Compete Process
Here is the detail of the Google Screened process.
- You must apply to one of Google’s digital marketing agency partners to begin the process. Creating your Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, with Google Local Ads is best for being a Google Screened badge holder.
- Furthermore, the company must have at least 5 reviews with a three-star or higher cumulative customer review rating on its Google My Business profile. Keeping an eye on client reviews is an effective way of maintaining your rating high. The service providers with the most excellent customer review ratings will regularly attract the attention of potential clients.
- Subsequently, you must provide the necessary information for a background investigation and license. Your staff members will also be examined if your company is relatively big.
- You also need to complete the Google Screening and Verification process successfully. The prerequisites may vary according to the area and type of business.
- After the owner of the company and the firm have been examined and responded to some reviews and inquiries, they can earn a Google Screened badge.
Difference Between Google Screened and Google Guaranteed
Google Screened and Google Guaranteed may look similar to each other, but still, they are different.
Here is a separate explanation of both to illustrate the difference.
i. Google Screened
Google Screened suggests that Google has verified the company’s legitimacy through a background check. Proof of business registration, insurance, license, and other requirements could be needed.
This service is available to professionals in the service industry, including real estate agents, attorneys, and financial advisors. Above all, there is no fee for the service.
Potential clients are informed by the Google Screened badge that Google has verified the business to fulfill its high quality and client service standards.
ii. Google Guaranteed
Google Guaranteed provides a money-back guarantee on the services that these businesses offer. Customers can register a claim with Google and get compensated if they are unhappy with the service they received from a business. The outstanding function is only offered to domestic services such as air conditioning, electricians, and plumbing companies, not financial advisors.
Like Google Screened, your customer must pass an interview and a background check to become Google Guaranteed. To receive the Google Guaranteed badge, the client must additionally consent to follow specific standards and have their business location verified by Google.
The comprehensive table below will separate both features and help you understand the difference between Google Screened and Google Guaranteed.
| Google Screened | Google Guaranteed |
|---|---|
|
Focused on professional services |
Domestic and home services based
|
|
No financial protection |
Money-back guarantee upto $2000 |
|
Business Location is not necessarily required |
Business location verification is always required |
|
Approval depends upon license and background investigation |
License and background check is required for Google Guaranteed, too |
|
No Further requirements after approval |
Adherence to additional guidelines may be required |
Final Thought - Google Screened
To summarize, Google Screened is a game-changing and valuable resource for service providers. Professionals can improve online visibility, get a competitive edge, win the trust of potential clients, and receive qualified leads by displaying the Google screened badge.
The green checkmark indicates that the business has passed Google’s stringent screening procedure. Lawyers, real estate agents, beauty care specialists, auto services providers, financial advice, and planning experts may benefit from Google Screened.
Furthermore, businesses with Google Screened badges are often listed first in sponsored and natural search results. It’s an effective way of utilizing your content to get quality traffic. A high ranking in search results could benefit companies by increasing customer satisfaction, engagement, and brand recognition.
To be Google Screened, you must first register your Google Business Profile with Google Local Ads. You must have a minimum of five reviews and at least a star rating. Then, You need to complete the Google Screening and verification procedure. The requirements may differ depending on the area and business type.
Google verifies professional, employment, and education records and criminal and financial background checks. Insurance agreements, driver’s licenses, social security numbers, and practice licenses may also be verified by Google.
The Google Screened badge demonstrates Google’s rigorous licensing and background check of your company. The Google Screened badge helps you create more qualified leads and establish trusted online reputations. Also, Service providers are not charged for the screening procedure.
Improving a company’s credibility and trust that Google Screened offers is one of its main advantages. Showing off the Google Screened badge informs prospective clients that your company has passed a verification process and meets Google’s requirements.
Google Screened is an effective way for customers to locate information about your product and services on Google quickly. The cherry on top is that Google doesn’t charge businesses for business-owner and business-level checks.
