Google has launched or is at least testing the ability for users to request quotes from multiple businesses on mobile search. A “Request Quotes” button may appear above the 3-pack for search queries specific to certain business categories. The category types involved that I have noticed are a few of the main categories in Local Services ads (along with house painters) but this is a Google My Business feature, not LSA.
Which businesses will appear in these results?
Businesses that have enabled the messaging feature in Google My Business can appear in the results that show after a user taps the “Request Quotes” button.
Even though the business categories impacted are similar to the categories in LSA, this is a GMB feature and is not exclusive to Local Services ads participants. If a business has the GMB messaging featured enabled and is also an LSA participant, the Google Guaranteed badge will be present on their listing once you get to the screen that has you select businesses.
There appears to be a maximum of 7 businesses you can select to receive quotes from and you can select all 7 of them if you want.
Is this limited to the United States?
No, I’m able to see it in many other countries as well:
How do businesses receive the quote requests?
In the Google My Business app. They will also receive email notification of the request unless they have unchecked alerts for quotes in their GMB settings. This is the same way the “Request Quote” button on individual GMB listing works. The only difference here is the submission goes to all of the businesses selected instead of just one.
How does a consumer communicate with the businesses after they submit the quote requests?
Once a business responds to the request in their Google My Business app, the consumer will receive a notification via the Google Maps app. There is a “Messages” section in the Google Maps app. This is where the consumer will communicate with the business.
The communication channels for the interaction are:
GMB app for the business (in: Customers > Messages)
Google Maps app for the consumer (in: Messages)
Which business categories does this impact?
These are the business categories I’ve seen so far:
- Carpet Cleaning
- Electrician
- House Cleaning
- House Painters
- HVAC
- Locksmith
- Pest Control
- Pet Sitting
- Plumber
- Roofing
- Window Cleaning
How can my business appear in these results?
Your business will need to be in a business category where the “Request Quotes” button appears and you need to have messaging enabled in Google My Business. You do not need to be in Local Services ads but your listing will display the Google Guaranteed badge if you are.
Thanks Tom 🙂