Google sending local ads to "Earth"

According to MarketingVOX, local ads are beginning to show up on the Google Earth site. A post in SearchEngineLand says, "If you've created Local Business Ads in your AdWords accounts, they'll now appear on Google Earth in addition to Google Maps. Advertising a hotel in Lake Louise? A neighborhood cafe in Paris? Google Earth users across the globe can zoom in on your business. Don't forget to add a customized icon to make your ad stand out."

This may be a huge boost for local businesses, who have long been searching for the key to local search ad results. Localized search is huge for PDA and mobile users, who want to find a business close to their current location since most search while on the move.

“People don’t just convert online—they go to stores,” said Scott DeLea, seniors vice president and general manager of DigitalGrit. “Local retail business is not based on click-throughs, but if you can combine mobile search with 1-800 tracking, or if you’re driving people to profile pages or coupons, then you can start tracking it.”

Once the customer base is in-store, however, the ad needs to measure up. Inventory is key to keeping those local search clients coming back time after time, according to Brad Geddes' eWhisper.net.

Tags: Google Earth, local search