Are Local Services Ads worth it compared with Google Search ads for junk removal?
In accounts that run both with reliable lead tracking, a Local Services Ads lead costs about $62 against about $71 for a Search lead, and Local Services brings about 43% of the leads. Across all accounts running both, the median Local Services lead costs $62 and Local Services takes about 70% of the combined budget.
By Justin Hubbard, who runs Adimize and has owned and operated a junk removal and dumpster rental company for over 12 years
Based on 11-14 Google Ads accounts running Local Services, Oct 2025 - Sep 2026
Accounts running both
| Measure | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Local Services cost per lead (all lead types) | $62 | $41-$76 |
| Local Services cost per phone lead | $86 | $44-$100 |
| Local Services share of combined spend | 70% | 48%-75% |
Where Search lead tracking is reliable too
| Measure | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Local Services cost per lead | $62 | $44-$78 |
| Search cost per lead | $71 | $57-$118 |
| Local Services share of leads | 43% | 23%-78% |
What a Local Services lead is
Most Local Services leads are phone leads (about 83%); the rest are mostly messages, plus a few bookings. Google reports about 11 Local Services 'clicks' per lead; they aren't comparable with Search clicks.
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