Agency insights
Thoughts and lessons on client selection, burnout, pricing, and modernising legacy accounts, from someone who's run a Google Ads for years.
A warning about Google Local Service Ads for doctors, lawyers and other professionals
Published October 2021. Last updated July 2026.
If you don’t know what Google Local Service Ads are go here.
I investigated using Google Local Service Ads for a law firm client. Turns out that there are some privacy issues which were of concern. They may be of concern to you too.
Let me explain…
When a potential client contacts your business via a regular Google Search Ad they fill in the form on your website or call on your phone number. The conversation goes through your infrastructure.
When a potential client contacts your business via a Local Service Ad the conversation goes through Google’s infrastructure.
Google reserves the right to record and review the calls, emails and texts between you and your potential client. (See here)
I don’t think that Google sets out to misuse this information. But, the mere existence of recordings of confidential conversations in someone else's hands might be enough to violate client confidentiality requirements.
Most Google Ads Problems Aren't Google Ads Problems
If my writing resonates with you, I'd like to give you a copy of my book, Profitable Google Ads. The book was written for business owners, but many PPC professionals have found it valuable too.
Before you download it, what describes you best?
Related articles
Google Ads isn't about more customers. It's about fit.
More leads isn't the goal. A furniture maker cut his enquiries and ended up with a 4-month waiting list. Here's why.
Every Google Ads lead leaves a trail of evidence
If you can't answer what happened after someone clicked your ad, you're probably making important decisions without enough evidence.
Why a Google Ads account audit isn't enough
Want to find places to improve. You've got to look at the whole system.
Why I'm rethinking how I audit Google Ads accounts
I've been starting from the wrong point: looking for problems. I should have been looking for evidence.
Testing Google Ads for an RV Campground
The goal was to spend a small amount, gather data, and see what actually happens. We got bookings, but the value distribution surprised me and changed how I'm going to structure this account.
Mining the search terms report for negative keywords is a waste of time
Here's what's working for me today.
Topics you'll find on this site
Conversion tracking
Understand what happens after someone clicks your advert. Subjects include offline conversions, CRM integration, attribution, auditability and marketing instrumentation.
Essays and thinking
Articles about marketing, engineering, AI and problem solving that don't fit neatly into the other topics. These are some of the ideas and experiences that have shaped how I think.
Google Ads for lead generation
Learn how to use Google Ads to generate profitable leads. Subjects include campaign strategy, bidding, targeting, optimisation and the challenges of running lead generation campaigns.
Landing pages
Things I've learned about high-converting landing pages. Subjects include copywriting, page structure, forms, trust, conversion rate optimisation and user experience.
Lead quality
Understand why some leads become customers while others don't. Subjects include diagnosing poor leads, qualification, filtering junk leads and improving the feedback you send to Google Ads.
Sales Process
What happens after a lead has been generated determines if Google Ads is profitable. Subjects include first contact, follow-up, quoting, lead nurturing and turning more enquiries into customers.
© 2026 Pete Bowen