How Do You Get a Branded Google Map Pin? 5 Facts to Know
Updated on December 11, 2019
We have seen a big increase lately in the amount of branded map pins that exist on Google Maps. I was told by several people that they were a part of Google’s local campaigns but didn’t see any mention of them in the help center and very little information on how you qualify for a local campaign. Luckily Kyle Harris from DAC Group was able to get me some answers about these pins and how to get them.
Branded map pins are a paid feature.
Yep, sorry guys, you need to pay Google to get this feature. It’s not free. It is part of their local campaigns product with Google Ads.
They don’t give you a permanent branded pin.
For example, A&W has a branded pin on the Google Maps app but on desktop it shows up as a normal pin. I’m assuming this is due to the ad settings.
Branded pins are accompanied by purple ad in the Knowledge Panel
When you click on the business with the branded pin, you’ll see an ad in the Knowledge Panel.
You need at least 10 locations to qualify for local campaigns
Yep, sorry mom-and-pop shops, you don’t make the cut. Previously the minimum number of locations was 20 but Google has since lowered it to 10 locations.
You need a minimum of $1,000 a day as your ad spend
Yikes, Google is definitely developing this feature for large chains.
Hopefully, at some point, Google expands these campaigns so more business types can participate. If you’re a large multi-location brand and want this feature, I would definitely reach out to your Google Ads rep about it.
Updated on December 11, 2019: Previously each campaign needed to spend $1K/day for a minimum of 30days, now it works as long as the account is spending at that level on Local Campaigns.
The requirements and recommendations for Local Campaigns are now at an account level. You can now create multiple campaigns as long as the requirements are met at an account level. For example, you can create 5 individual Local Campaigns with each assigned $200 budget per day, 2 stores each, and 30-day campaign duration.
Geez, as if large chains don’t have enough visibility and brand recognition already. So much for Google “local”…
No freaking kidding. Damn Google, I hope they get regulated. They are headed that direction faster than I think they realize.
Is this only in the US or is it available here in the UK too?
Hey Lee,
I know it’s not just in the US because I see these all over the place in Canada. I’m not sure if they’re in the UK or not. I haven’t seen one there.
In Italy it’s available.
Hey Lee, I’ve definitely seen these in the UK! (For Flying Tiger shops).
Joy, do you see these being at all useful for service area businesses? Can they run alongside a traditional Google Ads Search campaign, or is this an either/or type situation?
They wouldn’t apply to service area businesses since they don’t have Google Map pins.
Is the $1k a day spend in just local campaigns, or total?
I’m not 100% sure but I would guess on the local campaigns.
Hi Joy, have you seen any cases where businesses with less than 20 locations were able to set up branded map pins through a local campaign? I just saw one today where a vehicle smog inspection station with only about 6 locations had branded Google map pins and I doubt they have the budget to pay $1,000 a day (I don’t know that for sure of course). Have you heard or seen any other recent examples of this?
Hey Matt,
It’s definitely possible that they changed the criteria on this. I’m expecting they’ll let more and more companies in (Google does like to make money). I’ll check with a few people to see what I can find out and post back here when I do.
Hey Matt,
I heard back from the original source (Kyle Harris) and he confirmed: “The requirements and recommendations for Local Campaigns are now at an account level. You can now create multiple campaigns as long as the requirements are met at an account level. Example: You can create 5 individual Local Campaigns with each assigned $200 budget per day, 2 stores each, and 30 day campaign duration.”
Also, it looks like they decreased the # of locations needed – it’s now only 10.
Previously each campaign needed to spend $1K/day for a minimum of 30days, now it works as long as the account is spending at that level on Local Campaigns.
Be interesting to see if having this different pin increases or decreases the click through rate for a business.
Is this feature available in India?
I’m not 100% sure. I’d suggest reaching out to the Google Ads team to ask.
How we can add this? want to add my business pin for different locations.
If you qualify given the criteria mentioned in the article, I’d suggest reaching out to Google to ask them to add it.