AdWords Balloons in Google Maps

[rustybrick]

As Danny notes Google Tests New Local Ads On Maps, it is true. Even though Danny and Gary do not see the blue balloons, which symbolize the sponsored results, I do. Probably because I am in NY.

I'll post an image of it at my blog and come back here to notify you.

Ok, here it is, Google Maps Blue Balloons.

[eWhisper]

It appears that only if the ad is in blue does it also have a blue pin. What's interesting is if the ad is in blue, and you click on the ad - then it doesn't go to a website, it just pops up the local info in the map, and then one has to click on the title of the popup to go to the website.

One has to wonder what the pricing model is for that click.

Based on the tracking codes in the ad URL strings, it looks like its a very limited test for just a few advertisers.

[AussieWebmaster]

The visual for local search is huge.... add the click to call feature there and they could monetize this a little more.

[Robert_Charlton]

I've been wondering how Google would handle local ads targeting an entire metro area. Lawyers, web developers, consultants, etc, might not want to be limited by their proximity to the center of a zip code.

These ads appear to be geo-located, though, same as the plain vanilla local listings. At least, with the blue pins, they are. Has anyone observed how Google is handling ads targeting a wider local area?

[AussieWebmaster]

If the ballons are determined by search parameters this is a great specific advertising method.... actually a more accurate method for many types of search.