Google’s Local Service Ads console crashed hard on April 2, 2025, leaving thousands of advertisers stranded with 500 errors and timeouts. Local businesses couldn’t access their accounts, view metrics, or adjust campaigns during the widespread outage. Google’s initial response was a classic “we’re looking into it” – super helpful. The technical failure exposed just how dependent local businesses are on digital advertising platforms. The full impact of this meltdown goes deeper than surface-level frustrations.

Google’s Local Service Ads console came crashing down on April 2, 2025, leaving advertisers scrambling to manage their campaigns. The tech giant’s platform, already known for being a bit glitchy on its best days, decided to completely throw in the towel with widespread timeouts and 500 status codes. Perfect timing, as always, Google.

Advertisers found themselves locked out of their accounts, staring at error messages instead of their campaign metrics. Some couldn’t even create new profiles – because apparently, that’s just too much to ask. Google, in their infinite wisdom, acknowledged the issue with their usual “we’re looking into it” response. How reassuring.

Google’s stellar platform strikes again, leaving advertisers staring at error messages while their campaigns collect digital dust.

The timing couldn’t have been worse, especially since Google recently discontinued their mobile app, forcing everyone onto the web platform. Local businesses, who depend on these ads for leads and customers, were left twiddling their thumbs. The outage severely impacted companies’ local SEO visibility across online platforms.

Social media quickly filled with frustrated advertisers sharing their horror stories – nothing brings people together quite like a good old-fashioned tech meltdown. Barry Schwartz, a renowned search marketing expert, added his analysis of the situation to the growing chorus of concerns.

Google’s technical team jumped into action, investigating the root cause while advertisers watched their campaigns drift aimlessly through cyberspace. The company promised existing campaign data would remain safe, which was about as comforting as a chocolate teapot to businesses unable to make vital campaign adjustments.

The issue persisted throughout the day, with Google maintaining its “high priority” status on the problem. Meanwhile, local service providers – from plumbers to electricians – had to sit tight and hope their ads were at least still running somewhere in the digital universe. The problems started early with complaints beginning at 8 am ET.

At least the server errors were consistent – consistently frustrating, that is.

While Google continued its investigation, the incident highlighted just how dependent local businesses have become on these digital advertising platforms. The web console, supposedly robust and feature-rich, proved about as reliable as a paper umbrella in a hurricane.

And as advertisers waited for a fix, one thing became crystal clear: when Google sneezes, local businesses catch a cold.