The Power of Local Search Ads on Google Maps

Chuck Forbes - July 15, 2016

There is an increasing demand to reach local customers for businesses who are advertising with Google. Many business owners and marketing professionals know that their target audience is likely right in their backyard, thus creating high demand for hyper-local ad campaigns. One tool that customers use to find local businesses is Google Maps. Google Maps has proven to be an easy-to-use, user-friendly platform by matching up local businesses with a user’s search query – and now you can add another dimension to targeting by enabling Local Search Ads within Google Maps.

Local Search Ads within Google Maps will allow your ad to show up with the search results list and on the map itself. Local Search Ads will be visible with a unique purple icon, letting the user know it is a search ad and allowing your business to stand out on the map:

To set up Local Search Ads, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your location extensions with your AdWords account are enabled so Google Maps knows where your business is located and when to show your ad to a customer nearby.
2. Proof your Google My Business listing to ensure everything is up-to-date and accurate as information can be pulled from that listing and shown to a user.
3. Refine your targeting. I recommend first setting a radius around your business to identify the location(s) you would like to have your ads seen. Secondly, I would then adjust your bids to make sure your ad(s) show up to a customer who is really close to your business.
4. Review your keywords in your campaigns to make sure they speak to your location and type of business, so your ad shows up for queries from potential nearby customers.

Local Search Ads are priced on a standard cost-per-click basis and are available on mobile or desktop and currently are in Beta with Google. They can prove to have great results if your marketing strategy is looking for new ways to target people near you, especially as mobile search queries for local businesses continue to rise. To find out how you can enter into the Beta and include Local Search Ads to your campaigns contact MoreVisibility today.