How Slow Follow-Up Kills Google LSA Performance

Google Local Services Ads are one of the most powerful lead sources for service businesses. But there's a catch most advertisers don't realize: your response time directly impacts your visibility.

How LSA Ranking Actually Works

Google doesn't just rank LSA advertisers by bid amount or reviews. They factor in responsiveness — how quickly and consistently you respond to the leads they send you.

If you're slow to respond, or if you miss calls and messages, Google takes note. Over time, your ad placement suffers. You pay the same (or more), but you show up less often — and for lower-intent searches.

The Vicious Cycle

Here's what happens to businesses with poor response times:

• Lead comes in → No immediate response
• Google notes the delay
• Your ranking drops slightly
• You get fewer leads, but still pay when you do
• Cost per lead increases, ROI drops

Meanwhile, your competitor who responds in under a minute keeps climbing.

What Fast Response Looks Like

You don't need to answer every call personally. You need a system that ensures every lead gets an immediate, professional response — whether that's a callback confirmation, a text, or an AI-powered conversation that qualifies and books them.