Target Local Customers with Google Maps Location Assets
▼ Summary
– Google Ads now allows users to search Google Maps to select businesses for location assets or extensions.
– This feature simplifies managing both existing and new location assets in Google Ads campaigns.
– Users can link up to 10 of their own Google Maps locations to their Ads account via the Location manager.
– Location assets can be customized at the campaign or ad group level, including using subsets or excluding them entirely.
– This update is praised as a significant time-saver for advertisers, improving efficiency in campaign setup and management.
Google Ads has introduced a streamlined method for businesses to connect their physical locations with ad campaigns through direct integration with Google Maps. This enhancement simplifies the process of adding and managing location assets, making it more efficient for advertisers to target local customers and drive foot traffic.
The update was first noticed by Greg Kohler, who shared a visual confirmation of the feature on social media. He highlighted the new ability to search and select business locations directly via Google Maps when setting up location extensions. Fellow marketer Joe Youngblood also welcomed the change, describing it as a solution to one of the most cumbersome aspects of campaign setup.
According to Google’s official guidance, advertisers who don’t use Google Business Profile or chain store setups can now link up to ten locations from Google Maps to their Ads account. It’s important to note that these locations must be legitimate and owned by the advertiser to avoid disapproval.
To use this feature, navigate to the Location manager under the Tools menu in the Shared library. Click the plus button, choose “Our locations,” and proceed by entering a physical address or relevant search term to find and link the desired locations. This process can be repeated until all needed locations are added.
Once locations are linked at the account level, advertisers retain flexibility at the campaign or ad group stage. Options include using all available locations, selecting a specific subset through location groups, or excluding location assets entirely for certain campaigns.
This improvement is especially valuable for businesses running multiple location-based campaigns, reducing administrative effort and minimizing errors. By making it easier to manage and verify location data, Google Ads helps advertisers improve local targeting accuracy and enhance the overall effectiveness of their geo-specific marketing efforts.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
