Many contracting businesses don't know about this, and they really—REALLY should. Google first introduced this feature back in 2017, nearly a decade ago, after spending roughly two years testing and refining it. The rollout was a success, and today it has become one of the most powerful lead-generation channels available to small and medium-sized local service businesses. This one is especially relevant for local service professionals. Traditional Google Ads can be incredibly powerful, but they're also competitive. You need to write good ad copy, set up your campaigns correctly, monitor performance, optimize keywords, and continuously refine the account. On top of that, you're usually paying per click—not per lead. That means if your landing page isn't converting, you can easily spend a significant amount of money on clicks without generating many actual leads. And unfortunately, that's a reality many businesses experience. But what if I told you there's a way for small and medium-sized local businesses to bypass a lot of that complexity? What if you could appear at the very top of Google, pay for leads instead of clicks, and let Google handle much of the heavy lifting for you? Have a look at the picture attached. This is an example search I performed in Decatur, GA. Take a look at the top two results. You'll notice something interesting right away. These businesses aren't appearing through traditional Google Ads. They're showing through Google's Local Services Ads (LSA) platform, which sits above the regular search ads and organic results. This is what's called LSA (Local Services Ads). It's connected to your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), which you're probably already familiar with through Google Maps. LSAs are displayed in a way that allows searchers to either call the business directly or send a message with just a few clicks. One of the major advantages is that you don't need a dedicated landing page to generate leads.

Have you ever heard of "citations"? We do this for our SEO clients to boost their AI search and 3-pack search results... but you can do it on your own as well! Here's the right way! PS - I made this video with AI. Yes, I wrote the script. (well, edited it so it was accurate, lol) Is it goofy or "good enough"? (it doesn't quite talk like me but I thought I'd try it) Here's the text, if you prefer reading! Are you a service business owner? I'm Deacon Nick, and I'm going to show you some cheap and easy ways to not only get your listing found on page 1 of Google and the 3-pak, but in the new AI searches as well! One of the most powerful, yet underused, tools to boost your Google Business Profile and climb to page one is something called “citations.” I’ll break down exactly what citations are, why they matter, and how to use them correctly! I’ll also show you how to get shown in the new AI search results that are changing how people find contractors. Let’s start with the basics. What Are Citations? Online, a citation is any mention of your business name, address, and phone number. When these details appear consistently online, Google sees your business as legitimate, trustworthy, and relevant. Any time you include this info online, write it out exactly as it is shown on your Google Business Profile! Google calls this your “business signal strength.” Why do Citations Matter for Your Google Business Profile? Google uses citations to verify that your business exists, where it’s located, and that it’s stable. Without consistent citations, your business can look shaky or even fake to Google. That’s why contractors who ignore citations stay buried. The key to citation success is consistency, quality, and volume. Here’s how to do it right. First, Keep Your listing Exactly the Same Everywhere. Your business name, address, and phone number must match 100% across every site. No variations like “Joe’s Plumbing” vs “Joe’s Plumbing LLC,” or sometimes adding a decimal and sometimes not. This is critical.

Here's a GREAT video I found showing how to use Facebook groups to bring in jobs. A lot of this would work really well in LinkedIn groups as well!

People thought the internet & websites were a "fad". "I don't need a business website!" was a common thought. Well today, we know that's a silly statement from someone in denial. Voice AI is in the same boat. NO! In 2026 you DO NOT "always" need to use a voice AI... but there are times you are also "silly" not to. (if you're not in denial) -When you're working and can't take a call. People leave a message (or just hang up!) and call your competitor... and you spent marketing $ to get the call in the first place. -After hours, late nights, and weekends. If someone calls you at these odd times, it's because it's convenient for THEM. Shouldn't they at least be helped, and have an option to set an appointment? (or be assured you'll call them back ASAP?) -To get Google reviews. An AI can get you 5-star reviews, reply to them, and repost them on your website and social media, 100% HANDS OFF. -To get you new leads from people searching for YOUR services. Who will never even hear abou you without it. I can go on and on, but you may as well just go talk to "Gigi", and see it in action! She can even role-play your specific business. Just say "hi Gigi!": https://aisprinkled.com/try-ai Or if you want a customized one just for YOU... we'll build a custom AI missed-call demo trained on your biz, that you can talk to and put through its paces. No credit card needed, no strings attached. Just ask! Request it here: https://aisprinkled.com/voice Voice AI doesn’t just save you money—it helps you make more of it, driving sales and boosting your bottom line while you kick back and enjoy the rewards...

If you've researched Google Ads before, you've probably heard about negative keywords. A lot of contractors who choose the Google Ads route will probably have these things in mind (if any): - Finding good keywords - Writing ad copy - Building landing pages - Bidding strategies But one of the biggest factors behind profitable Google Ads campaigns is actually filtering OUT the wrong traffic. This is where negative keywords become extremely important. Negative keywords basically tell Google: "Do NOT show my ads for these searches." And in contractor marketing, this matters A LOT. Because Google can sometimes match your ads to searches that sound related on the surface, but are actually completely irrelevant to your business. For example, if you're targeting: - Roof repair - HVAC installation - Kitchen remodeling Google may still show your ads for searches like: - Roof repair DIY - HVAC technician jobs - Kitchen remodel ideas - Free roofing materials - How to install flooring yourself And every irrelevant click costs money. This becomes even more aggressive when using features like Broad Match keywords and Automated Keyword Expansion. Without proper negative keywords, campaigns can slowly drift away from actual buyers and start attracting completely different audiences. Another thing people don't realize is that bad traffic can hurt campaign performance beyond just wasted spend. The wrong kind of searches can negatively impact your CTR, which in turn can lead to higher CPCs, which affects your cost per lead and... you get the picture. That's why checking your Search Terms Report regularly is extremely important, at least on a weekly basis. This report shows the ACTUAL searches people typed before clicking on your ads. And this is where you start discovering whether irrelevant searches triggered your ads. In many cases, building strong negative keyword lists is a MUST if you want your Google Ads campaigns to generate profitable jobs instead of bleeding budget.