Google Screened: the historical meaning
Google Screened was used for professional-service advertisers in Local Services Ads. If you are researching the name today, distinguish older descriptions from the current Google Verified programme. See Google's current badge guidance.
What a practice should check now
Review your profile and the checks required for your profession and location. Keep practitioner details and service coverage accurate. Do not advertise a badge, endorsement or guarantee that your current status does not support.
For a multi-practitioner firm, assign ownership of profile maintenance and enquiry handling. A missing handoff between marketing and reception can waste otherwise relevant enquiries.
Evaluate client acquisition, not just lead price
Compare LSA and Search using the same stages: received enquiry, suitable prospect, attended consultation and acquired client. Keep unsuitable cases and missed calls visible instead of treating every contact as pipeline.
For example, ten enquiries and one new client are not equivalent to ten enquiries and five new clients, even if the platform CPL is identical. Use your own evidence before deciding which channel deserves more budget.
What affects performance
Verification is only part of operating an account. Our LSA ads guide covers the auction, bid settings, profile quality and measurement. The old claim that LSA ranking has no bids was incorrect.
Request an account audit if you want to review the tracking and campaign decisions behind your current lead flow. Include the practice areas and markets you serve so scope can be confirmed.
Corrected and reviewed on 9 September 2026. This page previously described Google Screened as the current badge.