Google LSA Categories and Job Types Set Up Wrong: How It Affects Lead Quality
Wrong service categories and job types are one of the most common causes of irrelevant LSA inquiries. The categories and job types you select determine which searches you appear for. Broad or incorrect selections pull in leads for work you do not do.
Table of Contents
- 01.Categories control who finds you
- 02.What to check first
- 03.Business category and service category
- 04.Job types and lead relevance
- 05.Broad vs incorrect selections
- 06.Service area and profile configuration
- 07.Lead review and testing
- 08.How to diagnose it
Categories control who finds you
LSA matches your business to searches using the service categories and job types you select. If those are too broad, off target or missing the terms people actually use, you appear for the wrong jobs or miss the right ones. The selections directly shape lead relevance.
What to check first
- List the services you actually want to do.
- Check the selected categories against that list.
- Check the job types for over-broad selections.
- Review recent leads for wrong service inquiries.
- Check the service area alongside the categories.
Business category and service category
The business category defines what your business does. The service categories and job types define the specific work you appear for. If the business category is right but the job types are too broad, you still get irrelevant inquiries. Review both levels.
Job types and lead relevance
Job types are the specific services within a category. Selecting job types you do not offer pulls in inquiries for work you cannot do. The available job types vary by industry, so do not assume the same options exist for every business. Select only the job types you actually want to take.
Broad vs incorrect selections
A broad selection increases volume but can reduce relevance. An incorrect selection pulls in the wrong work entirely. Both hurt lead quality. The goal is the narrowest set of categories and job types that still covers the work you want. Review the leads to see whether broad selections are bringing irrelevant inquiries.
Service area and profile configuration
Categories and service area work together. The right categories with the wrong area still produce irrelevant leads if the jobs are outside your range. Check both. A profile that is configured correctly for categories but not for area will still leak quality.
Lead review and testing
After tightening the categories, review the next batch of leads for relevance. If the wrong service inquiries drop off and the right ones increase, the change worked. Test a change for a reasonable period before adjusting again. Lead quality is the measure, not just volume.
How to diagnose it
- 1.List the services you actually want to do.
- 2.Check the selected categories and job types against that list.
- 3.Remove job types you do not offer.
- 4.Review recent leads for wrong service inquiries.
- 5.Test the change and measure lead quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting LSA leads for services I do not offer?
The service categories or job types selected may be too broad or incorrect. Review the selections against the work you actually want and remove any job types you do not offer.
Should I select all available LSA job types for more leads?
No. Selecting job types you do not do increases volume but reduces relevance. Choose only the work you actually want to take. The available job types vary by industry.
Need help applying this to your business?
PPC, Conversion Tracking, CRM and Automation Specialist. Helping businesses generate qualified leads with Google Ads, accurate tracking and automated follow-up.
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