Google Testing Ads In New Google Maps, Pushes AdWords Location Extensions

If you needed another reason to get your location extensions set up in AdWords, Google has announced its testing new ads in the new Google Maps.

AdWords search ads set with location extensions can appear directly below the search box and on the map itself. Ads without location extensions can appear below the search box only and not on the map.

The screenshot below shows a Rent-a-champ Cars ad below the search box and an “ad”, or sponsored listing, on the map, indicated by a red icon with a white square in it.

Google announced the new version of Google Maps at the company’s annual developer conference last week.  To learn more about the new version, available by invite-only at this time, read our earlier post, Exploring The New More Dynamic, More Social Google Maps.