What if I told you there’s a simple switch that could double or triple your business overnight – but Google won’t let you flip it?
Hey repair pros,
Rob here with some news that might shock you. There’s a massive barrier standing between you and exponentially more customers, and most shop owners don’t even realize it exists.
The Hidden Ban That’s Costing You Thousands
Since October 2018, Google has completely banned ALL third-party tech repair businesses from advertising on their platform. That means:
- ❌ No Google Search ads
- ❌ No Display Network ads
- ❌ No YouTube advertising
- ❌ No Gmail promotions
- ❌ No Google Shopping ads
Think about that for a second. When someone in your town searches “phone repair near me” or “laptop screen fix,” Google won’t let you show up in the paid results – no matter how much you’re willing to spend.
What This Actually Means for YOUR Shop
Let’s get real about what you’re missing:
The Average Repair Shop Could Generate:
- $28,400 per year in Google Ads
- Which typically returns $113,600 in revenue (that’s a 4:1 return!)
- That’s potentially $9,466 MORE per month in your pocket
But here’s the kicker: Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy? They can still advertise their repair services all day long. Only independent shops like yours are banned.
A Real Shop Owner’s Nightmare
Justin Carroll from Fruit Fixed just shared his story that perfectly shows how insane this situation is:
“On 4/21/25 our Google Ads account for Fruit Fixed was permanently suspended for no explicit reason. We did nothing wrong — Google has simply lumped laptop and cellphone repair under a banned category of ‘third party tech support’… Other industries that are banned: firearms, adult content, gambling, pay day loans — and tech repair? It doesn’t make sense, because it doesn’t make sense.”
Justin spent a month jumping through hoops for Google’s new “Local Service Ads” program, got background checks, bought special insurance – only to have Google reject his ads within 24 hours for the same bogus “third party tech support” violation.
This is happening to thousands of shops right now.
Why Most Shops Don’t Know About This
Here’s the thing – if you’ve never tried Google Ads, you might not realize what you’re missing. It’s like being banned from the biggest mall in America but never knowing the mall existed.
But imagine if you could:
- Turn on ads whenever you’re slow
- Scale up during busy seasons
- Target customers searching for exactly what you fix
- Compete on equal footing with the big guys
Others Have Tried and Failed
For years, other organizations (US PIRG, iFixit, CTIA/WISE, Independent Shops) have talked about fixing this issue. They’ve written blog posts, made noise on social media, even started petitions. But guess what? Nothing has changed. Google’s ban is still in full effect, and shops are still getting suspended every day.
The difference? They talked. We’re going to act.
TCA Is Going to Win This Fight
The Tech Care Association isn’t just another organization making empty promises. With your help, we’re going to take on Google and WIN. Here’s why we’re different:
✅ We have the research – Our soon to be released new white paper documents exactly how this ban has cost the industry $5 billion annually — we are currently working a national news rollout
✅ We have the legal framework – We’re exploring antitrust violations and anti-competitive practices
✅ We have the industry backing – Thousands of shops ready to fight together – JOIN US
✅ We have the determination – This isn’t a side project for us. This IS our mission.
The Industry’s Biggest Hurdle
Forget parts costs. Forget manufacturer restrictions. Forget training issues.
This Google ban is the single biggest obstacle holding back our entire industry.
Think about it: What’s the point of fighting for right-to-repair if customers can’t even find you to get their devices repaired?
What This Victory Means for You
When we win this fight (and we will), you’ll be able to:
- Flip the switch on Google Ads whenever you want more customers
- Scale rapidly by increasing ad spend during growth phases
- Compete fairly against manufacturers and big box stores
- Reach customers actively searching for repair services
- Control your growth instead of hoping for walk-ins
Join the Fight
This isn’t just about advertising. This is about fairness. This is about your right to compete. This is about building the business you deserve.
The repair industry has been silent too long. It’s time to roar.
Ready to help us take down this $5 billion barrier? Here’s how:
- Share your story – Have you been affected by Google’s ban? Tell us.
- Spread the word – Forward this to every repair shop owner you know
- Support the cause – Join the TCA or Upgrade your TCA membership to fund this fight
- Stay tuned – We’ll be announcing specific action steps soon
The days of Google treating legitimate repair businesses like scammers are numbered. With your help, we’re going to restore fair competition and unlock the growth potential that’s been stolen from our industry.
Together, we’re going to win.
Rob Link
Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association
Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association
P.S. – Want to read the full research? Download our complete white paper “The Google Ads Ban: A $5 Billion Crisis for America’s Tech Repair Industry”. The data will blow your mind. Available in July 2025!
