What are location extensions in Bing Ads?

In Bing Ads (now Microsoft Ads), location extensions are a feature that allows you to enhance your ads with additional information about your business's physical locations. They provide users with relevant details about where your business is located, making it easier for potential customers to find and visit your physical stores or branches. Here's a detailed overview of what location extensions are and how they function:

### **What Are Location Extensions?**

**Location extensions** are ad extensions that display your business's address, phone number, and a map marker alongside your ad text. They help localize your ads, making them more relevant to users who are searching for products or services near them. This can be particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations or those that rely on foot traffic.

### **Key Features of Location Extensions**

1. **Business Address:**
   - **Display Address:** Shows the physical address of your business location directly in your ad.
   - **Clickable Map:** Users can click to view your location on a map, which helps them understand where you are situated.

2. **Phone Number:**
   - **Contact Details:** Provides a phone number users can click to call directly from the ad, making it easy for them to get in touch with your business.

3. **Map Marker:**
   - **Visual Indicator:** Adds a map marker to your ad, allowing users to see your location visually on a map.

4. **Business Hours:**
   - **Operating Hours:** Displays the hours your business is open, helping users plan their visit.

5. **Directions:**
   - **Get Directions:** Users can click to get directions to your business, making it easier for them to visit your location.

### **Benefits of Using Location Extensions**

1. **Increased Visibility:**
   - **Enhanced Local Presence:** Helps your business stand out in local search results by showing detailed location information.
   - **Improved Relevance:** Makes your ads more relevant to users who are searching for nearby businesses or services.

2. **Higher Engagement:**
   - **Direct Contact:** Facilitates easy contact through phone calls or direct visits, leading to increased customer engagement.
   - **Enhanced User Experience:** Provides users with the information they need to make quick decisions, such as finding your location or getting in touch.

3. **Better Tracking and Reporting:**
   - **Location Performance:** Allows you to track how well your location extensions perform, including metrics like clicks, calls, and directions requested.

4. **Local Targeting:**
   - **Geo-Targeting:** Works well with geographic targeting settings, allowing you to focus your ads on users in specific areas.

### **How to Set Up Location Extensions**

1. **Add Locations:**
   - **Access Location Extensions:** Go to the "Extensions" tab in your Microsoft Ads account and select "Location Extensions."
   - **Add Location Details:** Enter the address, phone number, and other relevant information for your business locations.

2. **Link to Google My Business:**
   - **Integration:** If you have a Google My Business account, link it to your Microsoft Ads account to sync location data and ensure accuracy.

3. **Configure Targeting:**
   - **Geographic Targeting:** Set up geographic targeting to control where your ads with location extensions are shown based on the user's location.

4. **Monitor Performance:**
   - **Track Metrics:** Use performance reports to track how your location extensions are performing, including clicks, calls, and directions.

### **Best Practices for Location Extensions**

1. **Ensure Accuracy:**
   - **Update Information:** Regularly review and update your location details to reflect any changes in your business's address or contact information.

2. **Localize Ad Copy:**
   - **Match Messaging:** Align your ad copy with the location information in your extensions to ensure consistency and relevance.

3. **Optimize for Mobile:**
   - **Mobile-Friendly:** Ensure your landing pages and website are optimized for mobile devices, as many users will be accessing your location extensions via smartphones.

4. **Leverage Analytics:**
   - **Analyze Data:** Use analytics to understand which locations perform best and adjust your targeting and bidding strategies accordingly.

By leveraging location extensions effectively, you can enhance your local advertising efforts, improve user engagement, and drive more traffic to your physical locations.