Affiliate location extensions are a powerful Google Ads feature designed specifically for brand manufacturers who sell their products through retail chains and authorized dealers rather than selling items from their own stores. This extension type helps bridge the gap between national brand adverti…Affiliate location extensions are a powerful Google Ads feature designed specifically for brand manufacturers who sell their products through retail chains and authorized dealers rather than selling items from their own stores. This extension type helps bridge the gap between national brand advertising and local retail availability.
When a user searches for a product, affiliate location extensions display nearby retail locations where that specific product can be purchased. For example, if someone searches for a particular electronics brand, the ad might show the nearest Best Buy, Walmart, or Target locations that carry those products.
Key benefits of affiliate location extensions include:
1. Increased foot traffic to retail partners - By showing consumers where they can find products locally, brands help drive in-store visits to their retail partners.
2. Enhanced user experience - Shoppers can quickly identify convenient purchasing options near their current location, reducing friction in the buying journey.
3. Better ad performance - Ads with location information tend to have higher click-through rates because they provide actionable, relevant information.
4. Cost-effective reach - Manufacturers can leverage existing retail networks rather than building their own store infrastructure.
To set up affiliate location extensions, advertisers select from Google's list of supported retail chains. The system then automatically matches the advertiser's products with store locations in the selected chains. Extensions appear on both desktop and mobile devices, with mobile users having the option to get directions to nearby stores.
Affiliate location extensions work best when combined with location targeting and bid adjustments for users near retail locations. Advertisers should regularly review performance metrics to understand which retail chains drive the most engagement and adjust their strategy accordingly.
This extension type is particularly valuable for consumer packaged goods companies, electronics manufacturers, automotive brands, and any business that relies on third-party retailers for product distribution.
Affiliate Location Extensions: Complete Guide for Google Ads Certification
What Are Affiliate Location Extensions?
Affiliate Location Extensions are a type of Google Ads asset that helps people find nearby retail chain stores that sell your products. Unlike standard location extensions that show your own business locations, affiliate location extensions display third-party retail locations where consumers can purchase your products.
Why Are Affiliate Location Extensions Important?
These extensions are crucial for manufacturers and brands that sell through retail partners rather than their own stores. They bridge the gap between online advertising and in-store purchases by:
• Driving foot traffic to retail partners carrying your products • Helping customers find the nearest store to make a purchase • Increasing the relevance of your ads for local searches • Improving click-through rates by providing actionable location information • Supporting omnichannel marketing strategies
How Do Affiliate Location Extensions Work?
When a user searches for your product, the extension displays nearby retail stores that stock your items. The process works as follows:
1. Selection of Retail Chains: Advertisers choose from Google's list of supported retail chains (such as major department stores, electronics retailers, or auto parts stores).
2. Automatic Matching: Google automatically matches your ads with locations of the selected retail chains.
3. Display Format: When your ad appears, it shows the nearest store location, address, and sometimes a map or directions link.
4. Mobile Experience: On mobile devices, users can tap to get directions to the store or call the location.
Key Features to Remember:
• Available for Search and Display campaigns • Work with both text ads and responsive display ads • Can be set at account or campaign level • Use Google's pre-defined list of retail chains • Best suited for manufacturers, not retailers selling their own products
Who Should Use Affiliate Location Extensions?
• Consumer product manufacturers • Brands sold through major retail chains • Companies with products in multiple retail locations • Businesses that do not have their own retail stores
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Affiliate Location Extensions
Tip 1: Distinguish from Location Extensions Remember that affiliate location extensions are for businesses that sell through other retailers, while standard location extensions are for businesses promoting their own physical locations.
Tip 2: Know the Use Case If an exam question describes a manufacturer wanting to drive traffic to stores that carry their products, affiliate location extensions are the correct answer.
Tip 3: Understand the Setup Process You select retail chains from a predefined Google list—you do not manually enter individual store addresses.
Tip 4: Remember Campaign Types Affiliate location extensions work with Search and Display campaigns. If a question asks about video or app campaigns, this extension type may not apply.
Tip 5: Focus on Customer Benefits Questions often emphasize helping customers find nearby purchase locations. This points to affiliate location extensions as the solution.
Tip 6: Watch for Keywords in Questions Look for phrases like retail partners, third-party stores, chain retailers, or nearby stores that sell your product—these indicate affiliate location extensions.
Common Exam Scenarios:
• A shoe manufacturer wants to show customers where to buy their shoes locally → Affiliate Location Extensions • A restaurant chain wants to show their own locations → Standard Location Extensions • A brand wants to increase in-store visits at partner retailers → Affiliate Location Extensions
Understanding the distinction between promoting your own locations versus promoting partner retail locations is the most critical concept for exam success.