Google Local Service Ads Expanding + Great insights from @mblumenthal & @davidmih

[Linda Buquet]

2 really good posts about the new Google Local Service Ads (previously HSA Home Service Ads) caught my attention today. So wanted to share to be sure everyone is keeping up with the latest developments.

ICYMI Google rebranded from HSA to Google Local Service Ads which makes total sense considering the planned expansion into other services besides "Home".

Jennifer Slegg over at TheSEMPost shares some of the new services that will be covered - from a session by Google at Pubcon.

"So they are expanding to businesses such as dentists, auto repair, etc that wouldn?t fit under the ?home services? umbrella..."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Google Home Services Ads Now Local Services Ads; Expanded Categories <a href="https://t.co/mBJW7EHGWD">https://t.co/mBJW7EHGWD</a></p>— The SEM Post (@TheSEMPost) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSEMPost/status/930068970534608896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Plus here are great insights from Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm at Street Fight

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Street Fight: Google Local Service Ads: Ready for Primetime <a href="https://t.co/lBgMA9DBNm">https://t.co/lBgMA9DBNm</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/streetfightmag?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@streetfightmag</a></p>— Street Fight (@streetfightmag) <a href="https://twitter.com/streetfightmag/status/930070103626051584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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What do you guys think?

How much will "Pay to Play" eventually takeover Local Search?

 

[Mbrinton]

Re: Google Local Service Ads Expanding + Great insights from @mblumenthal & @davidmih

Mihm's final comment was interesting:

"If I?m an agency or media company with a substantial portion of customers in these categories, I?m spending my holiday season figuring out how I can add value on top of these LSAs, and how I can diversify my offerings away from SEO in these categories: the fully-monetized local SERP is here."

I'd like to hear other SEO's take on this, and how you plan to serve your clients as this migration starts to erode an SEO's service fees.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Re: Google Local Service Ads Expanding + Great insights from @mblumenthal & @davidmih

Really great point from David and excellent Q from you.

What do you guys think???