Google brings advertising to Maps as it revamps for mobile world

Google’s SVP of ads and commerce, Sridhar Ramaswamy, says “mobile has revolutionised the canvas where ads live”, as customers seek a seamless online and offline experience.

The company said that almost one-third of all mobile searches are related to location. This has led the tech giant to upgrade its ads, with a key change being to launch ads in maps, allowing marketers to target consumers through local areas.

Local search ads will be available across Google.com and Google Maps. Marketers will be able to use them to reach consumers searching for physical business locations, for example a “shoe store” or “car repair near me.”

According to Ramaswamy, Google Maps will provide “more branded, customised experiences for businesses” aimed at helping brands gain more store visits. Customers can also expect to see ‘promoted pins’ for businesses in their local areas, including coffee shops and stores, which can provide bespoke special offers.

Google is also updating AdWords to make them more relevant on mobile. There will be new native inventory for displays ads so that marketers can match the “look and feel” of ads to the content they appear next to.

Google said it will also provide more ad space for brands so they can showcase more product information and services. Marketers will be able to set decide what type of devices they advertise on and “optimise with greater precision” to ensure advertising is consistent across devices.

“Google’s new redesigned Adwords have re-thought everything from creative and bidding, to workflow and measurement.”

Sridhar Ramaswamy, senior vice president of ads and commerce, Google

Device consistency was originally introduced earlier this year, when Google removed right-hand side ads as it aimed to improve search experience and consistency across devices. Ramaswamy believes that the usability of the ads across various devices is ideal for the “on the go” consumer and is part of the “biggest changes to text ads since Adwords launched 15 years ago.”

Businesses hoping to make the most of the new AdWords changes include Nissan UK. In a recent campaign it found that 6% of clicks on its mobile ads resulted in a trip to a dealership, give it a 25 times ROI.