Google will begin to offer a new feature for existing Google My Business Accounts. Google is calling this an “upgrade” to your Google business listing and will come at a cost of $50 per month or $600 annually. The upgrade features a badge that presents the words “Google Guaranteed”. This badge will be prominently featured on the Google My Business profile and may also appear in the Google 3 pack.

The Google Guaranteed Badge will be available only to eligible businesses that currently have a Google My Business account and meet further requirements. These requirements may include a screening and qualification process involving background, insurance and license checks. The eligible businesses will receive an email notification that includes the call to action to sign up for the subscription. Businesses that have a Google listing may also find the “Upgrade Profile” notification on their Google My Business dashboard in the near future. Google has yet to specify the businesses that will be eligible for this upgraded profile.

While there is no sure way to forecast the exact outcome of opting into the Google Guaranteed Badge, there are a few possible opportunities. Higher click-through rates (CTR) due to enhanced visibility through organic Google searches. Potential customers may have higher trust and/or preference in the companies that have this Google Guaranteed Badge as opposed to Google My Business profiles that do not hold a badge.

“Google Guaranteed” has already been a feature among businesses who use Local Services by Google, however, it seems this new monthly subscription will be available outside of the Local Services ad platform. This new upgraded profile may present a great marketing opportunity for businesses with a Google listing at a fixed price of $50 per month. Making this Google Guaranteed Badge available to a wider range of industries may pose an even more competitive edge on Google My Business listings.