How credits work now
Google assesses each lead when the customer first makes contact and doesn't charge leads it judges invalid or low quality. Its models then reassess charged leads over a 30-day period, and poor quality, duplicate or invalid leads are credited automatically. The original charge still appears on your invoice. The Charge Status column on the Leads page shows Charged, Not charged, In review or Credited, and Google says a credited lead can come from autocrediting or from a bonus credit for leaving feedback.
Which leads qualify, and which don't
- Google no longer credits “job type not serviced” or “geo not serviced” leads, so the fix is your job types and service areas (see Local Services Ads match job types, not keywords).
- Lead credits aren't available for health care verticals, tax specialists, or advertisers in EMEA.
- Follow-up calls or messages from the same customer, phone number or email within 15 days aren't charged again.
- A missed call during business hours is a valid, charged lead once the caller stays on the line for more than 20 seconds.
Disputes, reviews and feedback
Google's older dispute troubleshooter still says you can dispute an invalid lead (US and Canada only), but its link to the dispute instructions now redirects to the automated lead credits page. In practice, credits come from Google's reassessment plus the Lead Feedback Survey (Leads, then Rate this lead). Google's credit pages describe invalid, duplicate and low-quality leads and don't list customer reviews as a credit reason, so we wouldn't expect a credit because a genuine customer later left a bad review. Rate every bad lead anyway: Google says survey feedback shapes which leads it sends you. More on the product in Local Services Ads.
Common questions
How do I get a credit for a bad Local Services Ads lead?
Google reassesses charged leads and credits poor quality, duplicate or invalid ones automatically, in most cases within 30 days. You can also rate the lead in the Lead Feedback Survey, and Google says it may occasionally credit leads reported there.
Can I still dispute a Local Services Ads lead?
Google's dispute troubleshooter still mentions disputes for US and Canada advertisers, but its dispute instructions link now goes to the automated lead credits page. The documented routes are automatic credits and the Rate this lead survey.
Do I get a lead credit if a customer leaves a bad review?
Not under any rule Google documents. Its lead credit pages cover invalid, duplicate and low-quality leads and don't list reviews as a reason, so treat a real customer's review as separate from lead billing.
How long do Local Services Ads lead credits take?
Google says credits are applied to your account balance within 30 days in most cases. The original lead charge still shows on your invoice.
Will Google credit leads for jobs or areas I don't serve?
No. Google no longer supports credits for “job type not serviced” and “geo not serviced” leads, so tighten your job types and service areas instead.