Location Extensions are a powerful Google Ads feature that displays your business address, phone number, and a map marker alongside your search advertisements. This extension helps potential customers find your physical store or office location directly from the search results page.
When users sea…Location Extensions are a powerful Google Ads feature that displays your business address, phone number, and a map marker alongside your search advertisements. This extension helps potential customers find your physical store or office location directly from the search results page.
When users search for products or services you offer, Location Extensions show your business details beneath your ad text. This includes your street address, distance from the searcher's current location, and a clickable link that opens directions in Google Maps. On mobile devices, users can tap to call your business or get turn-by-turn navigation.
To set up Location Extensions, you need to link your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) to your Google Ads account. This connection ensures your location information stays accurate and synchronized across Google's platforms. You can display multiple locations if your business has several branches or storefronts.
Location Extensions are particularly valuable for businesses that rely on foot traffic, such as retail stores, restaurants, service centers, and professional offices. They bridge the gap between online advertising and offline visits, helping drive customers to your physical locations.
Key benefits include increased ad visibility through additional information displayed, higher click-through rates due to enhanced relevance, and improved user experience by providing essential details upfront. The extensions also help qualify leads by showing proximity, ensuring users who click are more likely to visit.
Performance metrics for Location Extensions include clicks on the address, direction requests, and calls made through the extension. These insights help you understand how effectively your ads drive local engagement.
Google determines when to show Location Extensions based on relevance, user location, and the likelihood of improving ad performance. The system automatically optimizes display to maximize results while maintaining a positive user experience. Location Extensions work across Search Network campaigns and can significantly boost local marketing efforts.
Location Extensions: Complete Guide for Google Ads Certification
What Are Location Extensions?
Location extensions are a type of ad asset in Google Ads that display your business address, a map marker, and distance to your location alongside your search ads. They help potential customers find your physical business locations and can include a clickable link for directions.
Why Location Extensions Are Important
Location extensions serve several critical purposes:
• Increased Visibility: Ads with location information take up more space on the search results page, making them more prominent.
• Drive Foot Traffic: They help connect online searches to offline store visits, which is essential for businesses with physical locations.
• Improved Click-Through Rates: Ads showing relevant local information tend to receive higher engagement from users searching for nearby solutions.
• Mobile Optimization: On mobile devices, users can tap to get directions, making it easier for them to visit your store.
How Location Extensions Work
Location extensions pull information from your linked Google Business Profile. Here is how the setup works:
1. Link Your Google Business Profile: Connect your verified Google Business Profile to your Google Ads account.
2. Enable Location Extensions: Add location extensions at the account, campaign, or ad group level.
3. Automatic Display: Google determines when to show your location information based on the user's proximity, search query, and other relevance factors.
4. Affiliate Locations: For businesses that sell products through retail chains, affiliate location extensions can show nearby stores that carry your products.
Key Features to Remember
• Location extensions can show your business address, phone number, and a map marker • They can appear on Google Search, Display Network, and YouTube • On mobile, they may show a clickable call button • Distance is calculated from the user's location or the location they are searching for • Multiple locations can be displayed if you have several business addresses
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Location Extensions
Tip 1: Remember that location extensions require a linked and verified Google Business Profile. Questions often test whether you understand this prerequisite.
Tip 2: Know the difference between location extensions and affiliate location extensions. Standard location extensions show YOUR business locations, while affiliate extensions show third-party retailers that sell your products.
Tip 3: Understand that Google decides when to show location extensions based on multiple signals including user location, search intent, and ad relevance. Advertisers cannot force them to appear on every impression.
Tip 4: Be aware that location extensions can impact Quality Score positively by improving expected click-through rate when location is relevant to the search.
Tip 5: Questions may ask about metrics. Remember that you can track clicks on directions, clicks to call, and location detail views in your reports.
Tip 6: When asked about best practices, remember that location extensions are most valuable for businesses with physical storefronts seeking to drive in-person visits.
Common Exam Scenarios
• A retail store owner wants to increase store visits - Recommend location extensions • A manufacturer wants to show where their products are sold - Recommend affiliate location extensions • A purely online business asks about location extensions - These would not be appropriate • Questions about requirements - Always mention the Google Business Profile link requirement