This new Google service, now in beta, was first reported by Buzzfeed.com in April 2015. It has now been confirmed by Search Engine Land. Google Home Service Professionals Ads are now showing up in searches in San Francisco, CA.
What Does This Mean for Local Vendors?
For small business owners of brick and mortar stores who offer home services such as one would find on Angie’s List, it means a more direct route of finding vendors. In fact, Googler’s can pick up to 3 professionals for quotes.
Google has decided to compete not only with Angie’s List but Yelp and Amazon Home Services for pre-qualified professionals such as plumbers and locksmiths.
How Will Google Qualify Vendors?
According to Search Engine Land, “…to be eligible for inclusion in the listing ads, the professionals must pass a background check, be licensed and insured and have a strong track record … The background checks also include cross-checks against national sex offender, terrorist and sanctions registries.”
Since this is still in beta, it’s unclear, how this will play out for both online buyers and sellers in the long run. But this is an interesting concept and Angie’s List and Yelp had better take notice.
