Franchise News

Google Adds Home Services Booking to AI Mode Through Software Partners
For home services franchisors, the software franchisees use could determine whether customers can book them directly through Google's AI Mode.

Franchise News

For home services franchisors, the software franchisees use could determine whether customers can book them directly through Google's AI Mode.

Google is allowing U.S. homeowners to book or request quotes from home service providers directly through AI Mode, its conversational search experience, according to a recent article on Search Engine Journal. The initial partners include Angi and Thumbtack, along with field service software providers Housecall Pro and Jobber. ServiceTitan is expected to join the program.
Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, announced the rollout on X on Nov. 4 and said the feature is already live in the U.S. Google first previewed agentic booking for local services at its I/O developer conference in May, along with a tool that can call businesses on a user's behalf.
The requirements differ between platforms. Jobber requires an active paid subscription, a full business address and a Google Business Profile tied to that location, according to Search Engine Journal. Once Google matches the profile, a “Book Online” button typically appears within a few days. Housecall Pro says eligible users will be enrolled automatically and won't need a Google Business Profile.
Jobber and Housecall Pro say they won't charge a lead fee for bookings generated through AI Mode. That's different from Google's Local Services Ads, where customer booking requests count as billable leads in the U.S. and Canada. Angi charges service providers for consumer matches under its standard model, but its announcement does not explain whether those fees also apply to AI Mode requests. Thumbtack had not announced its plans as of Nov. 4.
Google has not explained how businesses are selected for AI Mode results. Its help page on local availability also does not mention the partner booking links. For now, businesses using other field service platforms do not have a direct booking option through this feature.
Home services franchisors may need to take a closer look at the software their franchisees use. A brand that requires one field service platform can determine how many locations qualify for Google's booking feature without reviewing a different system at every location. The process becomes more complicated when franchisees choose their own software. Jobber's Google Business Profile requirement adds another consideration: Each location needs an accurate business address and a listing that matches its physical location.
Prospective franchisees can also ask whether the brand has a preferred field service platform and how it helps locations manage their Google Business Profiles. Those decisions may affect whether customers can find and book a location directly through AI Mode.
Read the full article here.
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