Geo cashing in
Google has rolled out mobile display ads that can be location-targeted for smartphones.
Business owners wanting to advertise via Google will be able to opt for a ‘location extension for display' consequently letting their ads target potential customers by their location, according to the Google Mobile Ads blog.
The Adwords location extensions now feature a business' location and phone number on an expandable map that can appear on mobile websites and apps in the Google Display Network.
The ad appears as banner text with a business icon that expands to show a business' location on a Google map along with the firm's ad creative, click-to-call phone number and option to get directions.
Importantly, as ads can be served by a user's location, the smartphone user will see the phone number and map of the business location nearest to them and Google will only charge for calls or clicks, not when users just click to expand the map or get directions.The cost of a click to call the advertiser business will be the same as the cost of a click to visit their website, Google said.
The release builds on Google's click-to-call location extensions for search ads appearing on mobile devices with full internet browsers.
Dai Pham, of the Google mobile ads marketing team said location tools can now be used in more ways "to connect with local users on the go, whether they are using their phones to browse the mobile web or engage in their favourite mobile apps".
Teamed with Google's ability to target consumers with mobile display ads by context, it seems sure to be a formidable marketing tool.
