Google Charging for Location Extension Direction Clicks

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:28:00 GMT

Google announced last week that advertisers using location extensions will see performance metrics for directions alongside those for clicks and phone calls. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, Google will also begin to charge for clicks on those directions in the same way as clicks on an ad headline or phone number.

Location extensions provide advertisers the ability to show their business address and other information in Adwords advertisements. Google released a report in January 2011 to help advertisers keep tabs on the “interactions” that occurred as a result of location extensions and enabled location extension ads on maps back in February, 2011. Google is moving in a very clear direction and is looking to further monetize the interaction taken by their users.

So how will the directions appear? According to Google:

“For AdWords campaigns with location extensions enabled, a “Directions” link will be eligible to appear in your ads and sponsored Google Maps info windows on desktops. On mobile search ads, a “Get directions using Google Maps?” pop-up will appear when the user clicks on the expandable map. Clicking on “OK” in the pop-up allows users to get directions to your business.”

If you’re not interested in paying for clicks on directions, you will need to remove the location extension associated with the campaign.

Location Extensions from Google for Mobile Advertisers

Pete Prestipino — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:15:00 GMT

Earlier this year Google launched click-to-call location extensions for search ads and it was well received by advertisers. They have taken the program a few steps forward today with the addition of location extensions which can be used to help advertisers connect with users on their mobile devices through browsers and apps.

The Adwords location extensions enable advertisers to feature a business location and phone number on an expandable map advertisement that appears on mobile websites and appls in the Google Display Network. Ads appear as a banner text ad with a business icon that expands to show the business location on a Google map along with ad creative, a click-to-call phone number and an option to get directions.

Advertisers will only be charged when a user clicks to call the business or visits a website, not when users click to expand the map or request directions.

To get started with location extensions, advertisers need to be opted into the Google Display Network, set up location extensions (read more here), and choose to show ads on iPhones and mobile devices with full Internet browsers.

'Net Features : location extensions

Google Charging for Location Extension Direction Clicks

Location Extensions from Google for Mobile Advertisers