Join us in Dallas for LocalU
October 20, 2026 - Just $299
How Do You Get a Branded Google Map Pin? 5 Facts to Know
Updated on December 30, 2024
TLDR:
- Branded map pins on Google Maps are part of Google’s Performance Max campaigns through Google Ads and are a paid feature.
- These pins are not permanent; their visibility can vary by platform (e.g., branded on the app but normal on desktop), likely depending on ad settings.
- Businesses with branded pins also display a purple ad marker in the Knowledge Panel when clicked.
- No minimum ad spend is required anymore, though a $1,000/day budget is recommended for high traffic. Smaller budgets (e.g., $100/location) can work but may not drive significant volume.
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(now merged into Performance Max). 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 performance max 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 ads in the Knowledge Panel
When you click on the business with the branded pin, you’ll see an ad in the Knowledge Panel.
Google no longer requires a minimum ad spend.
Google used to have a requirement for businesses to have a $1,000/day budget but this is no longer the case. Kyle Harris’ Google rep said:
’The recommended budget is still $1000/day but campaigns can drive traffic on a smaller budget. With a smaller budget, it’s not guaranteed you’ll receive significant volume. Based on past experience, I’d recommend at least $100 per location for campaigns running on less than $1000/day.’’
Join us in Dallas for LocalU
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.
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?
In Italy it’s available.
Hey Lee, I’ve definitely seen these in the UK! (For Flying Tiger shops).
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).
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
I’m not 100% sure. I’d suggest reaching out to the Google Ads team to ask.
If you qualify given the criteria mentioned in the article, I’d suggest reaching out to Google to ask them to add it.
Question: Are there any studies about restaurants in Canada other than A&W?
Answer: There are no other restaurants in Canada.
Question: Are there any studies about restaurants in Canada other than A&W?
Answer: There are no other restaurants in Canada.
Hi
Thanks for this. Does anyone have some more practical information?
As in, do we add a favicon in the GMB listing? Or does it need to be added somehow in Google Ads?
How do we tell Google that we have a favicon for them to use?
Do we have to speak to our rep?
So, how do we practically do this?
Thanks
Hi
Thanks for this. Does anyone have some more practical information?
As in, do we add a favicon in the GMB listing? Or does it need to be added somehow in Google Ads?
How do we tell Google that we have a favicon for them to use?
Do we have to speak to our rep?
So, how do we practically do this?
Thanks
You can’t add this via GMB, you have to sign up for one of these Google Ads campaign types to qualify.
You can’t add this via GMB, you have to sign up for one of these Google Ads campaign types to qualify.
Hello! I don’t think this feature is still available in Brazil. Google used to show logo on Maps but not anymore 🙁 Now it shows an ugly square not-branded pin.
Hello! I don’t think this feature is still available in Brazil. Google used to show logo on Maps but not anymore 🙁 Now it shows an ugly square not-branded pin.
Great article! Thanks!
Great article! Thanks!
Thanks for this. Does anyone have some more practical information?
As in, do we add a favicon in the GMB listing? Or does it need to be added somehow in Google Ads?
Thanks for this. Does anyone have some more practical information?
As in, do we add a favicon in the GMB listing? Or does it need to be added somehow in Google Ads?