Google Guaranteed Is Now Google Verified: What Changed

The green Google Guaranteed check used to promise customers their money back. Google has replaced it with a single Google Verified badge and ended the guarantee. Here is what that means if you run Local Services Ads or are thinking about it.

For years, contractors running Google Local Services Ads could earn a Google Guaranteed badge. It told customers that if they booked through the ad and were unhappy, Google might pay them back. That program is over. Google replaced its older badges, including Google Guaranteed, with a single Google Verified badge for all advertisers.

Key takeaways

Google Guaranteed and the other older badges were replaced by one Google Verified badge.
Google discontinued the money back guarantee; requests were only accepted for services booked before December 7, 2025.
Existing advertisers who had completed verification got the new badge automatically.
Google says the change does not affect Local Services Ads ranking.
Getting the badge still means passing Google's screening: background, license, insurance and registration checks by trade.

What changed

Google discontinued the Money Back Guarantee that came with the Google Guarantee badge. Google's page says eligible customers could request reimbursement for services booked before December 7, 2025, within 30 days of the service.

Existing advertisers who completed verification got the Google Verified badge automatically. New advertisers earn the badge by completing Local Services screening and verification. Google says the badge change does not affect Local Services Ads ranking.

	Before	Now
Badge	Google Guaranteed (and others by category)	Google Verified, one badge for all
Money back promise to customers	Yes, within limits	Discontinued
How you earn it	Pass Local Services screening	Pass Local Services screening
Effect on ranking	Part of profile quality	Google says ranking is not affected by the change

How to get the Google Verified badge

Google's screening varies by category and location and may include background, business registration, insurance and license checks, plus minimum reviews. Google says Local Services advertisers must have a public, verified Google Business Profile. Google's requirements list general liability insurance and, for many categories, professional liability insurance, plus state license checks where they apply.

In applicable categories, every worker who performs core services for customers must pass a background check, not only the owner. Some advertisers get accelerated verification and then have 14 days to finish the remaining steps to keep the ad running. Our step-by-step Local Services Ads setup guide covers the whole process.

Does the badge still matter?

Google says the Google Verified badge shows on your Business Profile. It tells a customer that Google checked your business, and Google says verified profiles call out the specific checks completed. It no longer promises them a refund. Google ranks Local Services ads by your bid and profile quality: rating, number of reviews, response time, photos and the verification checks you completed.

So the badge is one part of what customers see next to your stars and review count. Reviews and fast answers still do most of the work. Google says that if you regularly fail to answer calls or respond to messages, your ad ranking may be affected.

What to tell customers who ask about the guarantee

Some homeowners remember the old guarantee. Be straight with them: Google ended it, and the badge now means Google verified your business. Then tell them what you guarantee yourself, in writing, such as your workmanship warranty, and point them to your reviews.

Trust you own

A badge belongs to Google's program and can change again. Your reviews and your own written guarantee belong to you. Koira asks every customer for a review an hour after the invoice is paid (reviews), so the proof keeps building whatever the badge says. See Local Services Ads for contractors for how the ads themselves charge.

Questions contractors ask

Is Google Guaranteed still available?

No. Google replaced its older badges, including Google Guaranteed, with a single Google Verified badge and discontinued the money back guarantee.

What happened to the Google Guarantee money back promise?

Google discontinued it. Eligible customers could request reimbursement for services booked through Local Services Ads before December 7, 2025, within 30 days of the service.

Do I need to do anything to get Google Verified?

Existing advertisers who had completed verification got it automatically. New advertisers earn it by passing Local Services screening.

Does Google Verified help my ranking?

Google says the badge change does not affect ranking. Its ranking does weigh the verification checks you completed, along with reviews and responsiveness.

Is Google Verified the same as a verified Business Profile?

No. A verified Business Profile means you confirmed you run the business. Google Verified is the Local Services Ads badge earned through its screening, which also requires a verified profile.