Hey Blue Collar Boss,
Seeing fewer plumbing or HVAC calls the last few weeks? You’re not crazy. Two big macro shifts hit at once:
1) Google changed Local Services Ads trust signals
Google replaced “Google Guaranteed / Screened” with a single Google Verified badge on Oct 20, 2025, and dropped the money-back guarantee. That little green badge used to do a lot of trust-building for homeowners. Without it, some folks hesitate, click less, or start price-shopping before calling.
Google replaced “Google Guaranteed / Screened” with a single Google Verified badge on Oct 20, 2025, and dropped the money-back guarantee. That little green badge used to do a lot of trust-building for homeowners. Without it, some folks hesitate, click less, or start price-shopping before calling.
2) The federal shutdown is chilling spend
The U.S. government has been shut down since Oct 1. It’s now the longest on record. Analysts estimate billions shaved off the economy each week, which dents confidence and delays non-emergency home projects. Think “can that tune-up wait?” multiplied across your market.
The U.S. government has been shut down since Oct 1. It’s now the longest on record. Analysts estimate billions shaved off the economy each week, which dents confidence and delays non-emergency home projects. Think “can that tune-up wait?” multiplied across your market.
What to Do Next
A) Put trust back where Google took it out
Add your own guarantee in your LSA profile and landing pages for PPC Ads: “If we don’t fix it, you don’t pay,” or whatever promise you stand behind.
Add your own guarantee in your LSA profile and landing pages for PPC Ads: “If we don’t fix it, you don’t pay,” or whatever promise you stand behind.
Lead with reviews, licenses, and years in business in your PPC ad headlines and copy.
Refresh your photos and highlights so that the new Verified badge isn’t carrying the load alone.
B) Rebalance your ad spend
Shift 15–25% of your LSA budget into high-intent Google Search Ads (“near me,” “emergency,” and branded terms) for the next few weeks.
Shift 15–25% of your LSA budget into high-intent Google Search Ads (“near me,” “emergency,” and branded terms) for the next few weeks.
Bid up call-only and “open now” extensions during peak hours.
C) Tighten your response game
Answer in under 10 seconds.
Answer in under 10 seconds.
Call back missed leads within 2-3 minutes.
Listen to call recordings this week and coach for strong openings: “We can be there today — what’s the address?”
D) Offer “now-friendly” options
Promote 0% promo financing, $0 diagnostic fees, or maintenance memberships to help customers say yes even during tighter budgets.
Promote 0% promo financing, $0 diagnostic fees, or maintenance memberships to help customers say yes even during tighter budgets.
E) Show local proof — everywhere
Pin your latest 5-star review on your Google Business Profile.
Pin your latest 5-star review on your Google Business Profile.
Post 2–3 before/after photos with a quick caption on your Google Business Profile (“New water heater installed in 3 hours in Round Rock”).
Ask happy customers for a photo review — they convert better than text.
When Google shifts the rules and the economy stumbles, the contractors who communicate trust and respond faster scoop up the calls that are still out there.
Want us to tune your LSA + Search mix for the new badge world — and rebuild trust with high-converting landing pages? 👉Book a Free Strategy Call and let’s talk.
Avi | Founder True Blue Collar Marketing
Talk to you next week,
