Google Local Service Ads put your practice at the very top of search results — above regular ads — and you only pay when a patient actually contacts you. We set them up correctly, verify your credentials, and manage them so you get the most from every dollar.
Talk to Us About Local Service Ads →What It Is
Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) are a distinct advertising product that appears at the very top of Google Search — above both regular Google Ads and organic results. They display your practice name, rating, and a 'Google Screened' or 'Google Guaranteed' badge, and patients can call you or send a message directly from the ad.
The key difference from regular Google Ads: you pay per lead, not per click. If someone calls from your LSA but doesn't qualify as a genuine lead, you can dispute the charge. This makes LSAs one of the most efficient paid channels available to dental practices — when set up correctly.
The catch? Setup is more involved than regular ads — it requires credential verification, insurance documentation, background checks for some markets, and careful category selection. Doing it wrong leads to rejected applications, billing issues, or poor lead quality. We've done this many times and know how to do it right.
Why It Matters
LSAs are uniquely positioned: they appear above all other search results, carry Google's trust badge, and only charge you when patients actually contact you.
LSAs appear in prime position, above traditional Google Ads, giving your practice maximum visibility.
The trust badge signals to patients that Google has verified your credentials — a powerful credibility signal.
You only pay when a patient calls or messages — not for every click that bounces without contacting you.
Patients call or message directly from the ad, making LSAs one of the most direct patient acquisition tools available.
Invalid leads — wrong numbers, spam, or irrelevant calls — can be disputed and refunded.
LSAs are geo-targeted by default, meaning your budget is spent on patients in your actual service area.
Our Approach
LSA setup requires more than a few clicks — especially for healthcare providers. We handle the entire process.
We confirm your practice qualifies, select the right service categories, and structure your profile for maximum impression share.
We guide you through Google's verification process — license documentation, insurance, and any background checks required for your market.
Your LSA profile needs compelling photos, accurate hours, service areas, and strong reviews to compete for top placement.
We set the right weekly budget and bidding approach to maximize lead volume at the lowest cost per lead.
We monitor incoming leads, flag invalid contacts for dispute, and report on your actual cost per qualified new patient lead.
Common Questions
Regular Google Ads (formerly AdWords) charge per click — whether or not the patient calls or books. Local Service Ads charge per lead (a call or message to your practice). LSAs also appear higher on the page than regular ads and carry a Google verification badge, which increases patient trust.
Lead costs vary by market and specialty, but dental leads through LSAs typically range from $20–$80 per qualified lead. Competitive markets with high-value services (implants, orthodontics) can be on the higher end. We track your cost per lead and optimize to keep it as efficient as possible.
Google Screened requires submitting your state dental license, proof of malpractice insurance, and in some cases a background check. The process is managed through Google's verification portal. We guide you through every step and handle the parts we can on your behalf.
Yes — this is one of LSAs' big advantages. If you receive calls that are clearly wrong numbers, spam, or entirely outside your service area or specialty, you can submit those leads for review and receive a credit. We manage this process for our clients.
Verification typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on how quickly documentation is submitted and how quickly Google processes it. We've streamlined this process significantly by knowing exactly what Google needs upfront.
Yes — they serve different functions and don't compete with each other from a budget perspective. LSAs capture branded and high-intent local searches; regular Search Ads can target a broader set of keywords and services. Running both together typically gives you more comprehensive coverage.
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