Today’s post on Google Ads Location Extension, we will discuss how this extension is often overlooked when it comes to google ads location targeting.

Taking the time to set it up is pretty straightforward and if you’re a local business owner or have retail locations, you definitely don’t want to miss it if you’re running paid search like Google Ads, YouTube ads, or display ads. 

 

Watch the video version of this article below:

Why use Google Ads location extensions

Google Ads location extensions work well primarily because they make it simple and user-friendly for customers to see the distance to your business, to see your location in Google Maps, and to easily navigate to your business address.

Visitors can click your Google Ads location extension to get more details about you. The link they clicked goes to your location page, which has all the relevant business information in one place.

Location extensions can also include a phone number or a mobile device click-to-call button so that new customers reach you quickly. Google Ads location settings are simple to add, update, or change if you have an address change or if you want to add new locations.

 

Examples of location extensions

Conversions are almost always higher with a Google Ads location extension vs ad without one. Here’s an example: 

A company called Advanced Urgent Care wants to bring in local traffic of people needing medical care. Dr. Bob goes through a Google Ads location extension setup and adds it to his campaigns. 

When people are in the area and they search on a mobile device for one of Advanced Urgent Care’s “urgent care near me” or “walk-in clinic”, his extension is eligible to show and might give local people:

• Dr. Bob’s street address
• The distance to Advanced Urgent Care on mobile
• A simple click-to-call accessibility
• A link to a details page, with information like Dr. Bob’s hours, his phone number, pictures of Dr. Bob’s urgent care center, pictures and directions

 

Google Search Network

On the search network, ads with location extensions can appear as a standard text ad with your location and phone number. On mobile, a clickable “Call” button may show in place of your phone number, just like the sample ad is shown below:

Google Maps

Your location extensions can appear beside, above, or below search results on Google Maps, including the Maps app. You can look at an example ad below:

 

Google Display Network Extensions

 Your location extensions may show on sites and apps on the display network when people are near or have searched for your product or service in your area. 

Google Ads location extensions can show in the Google display network (GDN). Google Ads location extension can be a bridge between online ads and converting them to offline (or instore) sales by bringing visitors right to your door. Here’s a GDN location extension example:

 

Carrot Bakery wants to target the audience segment “Foodies” encouraging people who are searching online to come into the store and buy some of their fresh-baked bread products. So, Carrot Bakery’s ad manager sets up a Google Ads location extension on display ads. 

When people see Carrot Bakery’s ads, they can check out the business photos, open hours, and store location on the map then click on “Directions” to navigate to the store. Location extensions will show up on both desktop computer searches or mobile devices.

 

YouTube Video Ads

Your location extensions may show on YouTube TrueView in-stream and bumper ads when people are near or have demonstrated an interest in, your local area.

Your location extensions will start showing on video ads, meaning your video ads will show information about your business locations unless you explicitly opt-out.

 

Affiliate location extensions

For manufacturers or distributors of goods through retailers, Google Ads location targeting options have an affiliate location feature. An affiliate extension helps you direct people to local retailers that carry your products in their stores.

 

Location extensions Google Ads set up

Google Ads location settings allow you to add your location extension at the campaign and ad group levels. Location extensions show your business address, phone number, and other information like hours and review ratings also. 

To start, go to the location extensions Google Ads new campaign setup and follow the steps below:

 

1. In the account tree, select the campaign or ad group where you want to add the extension.

2. In the type list, select ad extensions and then location extensions.

3. Above the data view, click add location extension.

• To add campaign location extensions, select one of the options in the drop-down menu: “Show ads with all locations,” “Show ads with locations matching filter” and “Show ads with selected locations.”
• To add ad group location extensions, select one of the options in the drop-down menu: “Show ads with all locations,” “Show ads with locations matching filter”
• and “Show ads with selected locations.”

4. Select the campaigns or ad groups where the new locations should be added.

5. Click OK.

 

Final thoughts

Whether you are a brick and mortar business or a huge company, location extensions can help you attract more customers within your location. Also, adding a

location extension to your ad campaign has shown an increase of 10% click-through rate.