Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
15th January 2025 Issue no. 736

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Google trials new advanced verification process for locksmiths local listings

By Jade Wimbledon

Google is trialling a new method for reducing scams, forcing plumbers and locksmiths to go through an advanced verification process to appear in local search results.

The search engine giant is putting the extra security measures in place to stop con artists who appear in local Google search results. The locksmith scam is the most well-known, but other trade types have also been targeted.

The advanced verification process is currently being trialled on plumbers and locksmiths based in the Greater San Diego area of California, but in the future it may be rolled out to more businesses. There's speculation that it may eventually apply in the UK, and that more trade types will be affected.

2nd November 2016