Local Service Ads Suspended? Get Your Verified Badge Back
Local Service Ads suspension means no Google Screened badge, no priority placement, and zero leads from Google's highest-converting local advertising platform. Most suspensions stem from license and insurance verification issues—often simple documentation problems that seem insurmountable without guidance. In 2026, Google unified all trust signals under a single 'Google Verified' badge, making proper verification more critical than ever. Our platform helps you navigate license verification, insurance requirements, background check issues, and quality complaints to restore your LSA presence.
Common Causes of Local Service Ads Suspensions
Local Service Ads suspensions occur when businesses fail to meet Google's screening, verification, or quality requirements. Unlike traditional Google Ads, LSA requires ongoing verification of licenses, insurance, background checks, and service quality. In 2026, Google unified previously separate trust signals (Google Guaranteed, Google Screened, License Verified) into a single "Google Verified" badge.
License and Insurance Verification Issues
The most common LSA suspension cause involves failure to maintain or verify required professional licenses and insurance coverage. Expired licenses not renewed, expired insurance policies, invalid or incorrect license numbers, licenses not matching advertised service categories, missing required insurance coverage for your category, or insufficient insurance coverage amounts all trigger immediate badge loss and ad pause. In 2026, advertisers must renew expiring licenses and insurance each calendar year to keep the Verified badge visible.
Background Check Failures
Issues discovered during screening of business owners and fieldworkers block LSA participation. Google's background check scope includes identity verification, criminal history checks, cross-checks against national sex offenders registry, cross-checks against terrorist and sanctions registries, and company-level civil litigation history. Common triggers include disqualifying criminal history, false identity information, failure to complete the background check process, fieldworkers not passing checks, or missing background checks for staff performing services.
Customer Complaints and Quality Issues
Major or multiple complaints from customers received through the LSA platform negatively affect ranking and can lead to platform suspension. Common triggers include poor quality work or service, unprofessional behavior, failure to show up for scheduled appointments, overcharging or billing disputes, not completing work as promised, multiple negative reviews, or patterns of customer dissatisfaction. In 2026, Google reviews any major or multiple complaints, which can result in overall LSA platform suspension.
Lead Generation and Subcontracting Violations
This critical violation involves misusing LSA leads or failing to fulfill them with verified workers. The most serious trigger is selling leads received through LSA to other providers—this is explicitly prohibited and results in permanent ad removal. Google requires leads only be fulfilled by vetted and background-checked field technicians of your company, all fieldworkers must be properly licensed (where required), and you cannot subcontract to unverified third parties.
Misrepresentation of Qualifications or Identity
Providing false or misleading information about your business or fieldworkers blocks LSA participation and can result in immediate permanent removal. Common triggers include claiming licenses or certifications not held, misrepresenting fieldworker qualifications, false claims about business credentials, listing services not actually provided, or advertising in categories without proper licensing. Google requires businesses to truthfully represent qualifications and identities of field technicians.
Failure to Complete Requested Reviews
Not responding to or completing verification reviews requested by Google or its vendors results in badge loss, ad pause, or account suspension. Google requires you to respond promptly and accurately to questions to remain in good standing. Common triggers include ignoring review requests, not providing requested documentation, missing deadlines for verification updates, or incomplete responses to Google inquiries.
Platform Policy Violations
Violations of LSA-specific policies or general Google advertising policies result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent ad removal. Common triggers include inappropriate content in profile or ads, spam or misleading information, policy violations related to restricted business categories, or terms of service violations. Enforcement levels range from warnings for minor first-time violations, to temporary suspension for repeat or moderate violations, to permanent ad removal for serious or frequent violations.
Why Professional Local Service Ads Recovery Works
Navigate complex verification requirements and restore your LSA presence.
Navigate Complex License and Insurance Requirements
Every service category has different verification requirements. We identify exactly what licenses and insurance coverage your specific service category requires, determine which licenses need renewal or updating, calculate required insurance coverage amounts, guide you through obtaining correct documentation, and help you submit verification information properly.
Resolve Background Check Issues
Background check problems can be complex, especially when dealing with fieldworker verification or historical records. We help you understand disqualifying criteria versus minor issues, navigate the verification vendor's processes, identify which fieldworkers may have verification problems, and implement proper fieldworker verification systems.
Address Customer Complaints Strategically
Multiple or major customer complaints can suspend your entire LSA platform access. We guide you through documenting resolved customer issues, implementing quality control improvements, establishing better customer communication processes, training staff on professional standards, and providing evidence of remediation to Google.
Maintain Ongoing Verification Compliance
LSA requires continuous compliance, not one-time verification. We help you implement systems to track license and insurance expiration dates (with 60-day advance reminders), schedule annual renewal processes, maintain current fieldworker background check status, respond promptly to Google verification requests, and keep documentation organized and accessible.
How to Get Your Local Service Ads Reinstated
Our comprehensive process addresses all verification requirements
Suspension Analysis and Category Assessment
Same DaySubmit your suspension notification for immediate analysis. We identify your specific violation type (license, insurance, background check, complaints, policy), review your service category's verification requirements, assess your current verification status, identify expired or missing documentation, and provide a detailed violation report. You'll understand exactly what's blocking your LSA participation.
Documentation Gathering Guidance
Customized TimelineWe provide a customized checklist based on your service category and violation type. For license issues: identify required licenses, determine renewal procedures, obtain current licenses with correct numbers, gather license documentation. For insurance issues: determine required coverage amounts, identify acceptable insurance types, obtain current certificates, verify policy numbers and expiration dates. For business verification: collect business registration documents, obtain tax ID/EIN verification, gather proof of business address.
Comprehensive Issue Resolution
VariesWe guide systematic fixes across all problem areas. License and insurance fixes include renewing expired licenses immediately, updating insurance coverage and obtaining current certificates, providing correct license numbers to Google, and ensuring all advertised services have corresponding valid licenses. Background check fixes include completing any pending requirements, removing fieldworkers who don't pass checks, ensuring all current fieldworkers are properly verified, and updating your fieldworker roster in the LSA dashboard.
Verification Update or Appeal Submission
As RequiredDepending on your violation type, we guide the appropriate submission process. For license and insurance issues, update verification information in your LSA dashboard with current documentation. For policy violations, use Policy Manager to submit an appeal explaining implemented fixes. For complaints, provide documentation of issue resolution and quality improvements. For background checks, complete pending verification steps as directed by Google or the verification vendor. We ensure submissions are complete and accurate—incomplete fixes lead to denial.
Ongoing Compliance Monitoring
Post-ReinstatementAfter reinstatement, we help you implement preventive systems including calendar reminders 60 days before license and insurance expiration dates, processes to keep verification information current, customer feedback monitoring and rapid issue resolution, fieldworker verification tracking, and prompt responses to Google verification requests. Proactive monitoring prevents future suspensions.
Common Questions About Local Service Ads Suspension Recovery
Get answers about verification, badge recovery, and compliance
Timeline varies significantly by violation type. License and insurance verification takes 3-7 days once correct documentation is provided, but obtaining the renewed license or insurance certificate can take days to weeks depending on your state and provider. Background checks take several days to 2 weeks for initial processing. Policy violation appeals follow standard Google Ads appeal timeline with 3-5 business days average review. Temporary suspensions often specify duration in the notification (commonly 30 days for first offenses). Badge restoration after fixing issues typically takes 3-7 days once verification is completed. The critical factor is how quickly you can obtain required documentation and submit it correctly.
Badge loss means your Google Verified badge (formerly Google Screened or Google Guaranteed) disappears and your ads pause, but your account remains accessible and you can fix issues. Account suspension means your account is completely blocked, all ads stop, and you cannot access most account functions until the suspension is resolved. Badge loss typically occurs for license and insurance expiration—fixable issues. Account suspension occurs for serious policy violations, major quality issues, or egregious misrepresentation. Badge loss is temporary and reversible; account suspension can be permanent depending on the violation.
Yes. In 2026, Google requires advertisers to renew expiring licenses and insurance each calendar year to keep the Verified badge visible. This means even if your state license is valid for 3 years, you must confirm it annually in your LSA dashboard. Insurance certificates must be current—expired certificates trigger immediate badge loss. Background checks may also require periodic renewal depending on your service category. Set reminders 60 days before any expiration dates and update immediately when renewals complete. There are no grace periods.
If a fieldworker fails the background check, you must immediately remove them from your LSA fieldworker roster and they cannot fulfill any LSA leads. Continuing to use unverified fieldworkers violates LSA requirements and can result in account suspension. The failed background check doesn't necessarily suspend your account if you have other verified fieldworkers who can fulfill leads. However, if the business owner fails the background check, or if you have no verified fieldworkers, your LSA participation will be suspended. You should verify all fieldworkers before they begin fulfilling LSA leads.
Restore Your Local Service Ads Today
Every day without your Google Verified badge means lost leads and invisible local presence. License, insurance, and verification issues are fixable with the right guidance. Get your free suspension analysis, understand exactly what's required, and restore your LSA presence with confidence.