Find out how Google Local Inventory Ads (LIAs) work in 2021. This online advertising option has evolved and is now available to marketers around the globe since its launch in 2014. New Google LIA features have further improved a customer’s in-store path to purchase journey, especially on mobile devices.
Check out our guide to get started creating your ads.
What are Google Local Inventory Ads (LIA) and Who Should Use Them?
The Google Local Inventory Ads (LIAs) Solution is one of four options offered by Google for Retail to promote products online to potential customers.
- Local Inventory Ads
- Search Campaigns
- Smart or Standard Shopping Campaigns
- Shopping Campaigns with Partners
If you have physical shops with products people are searching for online AND you’re able to create the necessary feeds to run your ads, you should consider running Local Inventory Ads (LIAs).
Here are some benefits of LIAs for retailers that Google mentions on their website:
- Promote your in-store inventory: Let local shoppers know that your store has the products they’re looking for, at the moment they search on Google
- Bring your local store online: Use the Google-hosted local storefront as a robust, digital local storefront experience
- Measure performance: Monitor the impact your digital ads and free local listings have on online and in-store sales
REI Local Inventory Ads Case Study Video
Find out how REI used Google Local Inventory ads to bring customers from online to in-store.
What Countries Support Local Inventory (LIA) Ads?
Local Inventory Ads are available around the world in select countries which may change over time.
Check the most up-to-date list of countries where this ad format is accessible to advertisers.
Currently, Google is working with the retailers in the following countries using this ad format:
Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
What’s the Setup Process?
The general setup details are listed below. If you need more specific information click on the links to view a more detailed version on Google’s website.
Ad Set up Instructions
Step 1: Setup your accounts
Step 2: Enable local inventory ads or free local product listings
Step 3: Add your business information
Step 4: Link your Google My Business account and select your location group
Step 5: Create, register, and submit feeds
- Create a primary product data feed
- Create a local product inventory feed
- Register and submit local feeds
Step 6: Verify your about page (Austria, Germany and Switzerland only)
Step 7: Request inventory verification
Step 8: Set up Google Ads for local inventory ads
- Link your Merchant Center and Google Ads accounts (optional)
- Enable local products in your Shopping campaign
Need help updating your local inventory in a more timely manner?
Find out how RFID technology can help track your store product inventory for more accurate product inventory data.
How do Google Local Inventory Ads Work and What Do They Look Like?
As an online shopper, you can find LIAs through Google Search, Google Assistant, and Google Images. Different from Google Shopping Campaigns (Product Listing Ads), this ad format combines product details, local inventory, and store information so local shoppers can find what they want in proximity to where they are.
Google Search
Google Assistant
Google Images
Once an LIA is clicked on in search the user is directed to a Google-hosted landing page for the local store selling the product. At a minimum, a shopper can view the in-store inventory, get store hours and find directions.
Store Landing Page
Once you click on the ad you’ll be directed to a landing page that includes more information about the product, where to buy it, and how to get there. There is a big emphasis on the mobile search experience. The landing pages have a clean and intuitive display of related products nearby with all the information the user needs to find what they are looking for in-store.
- Google Shopping listing that includes the distance to a local store
- Store Landing Page for the product which could include:
- the language “in stock nearby at ” with the map embedded in the listing
- call button
- link to directions
- link to their website
- Local Store pages with a map and items that are available at that store
How can Highstreet.io Help You Get Started?
Working with big and small retailers around the world, Highstreet.io creates Google product data feeds, local inventory feeds and Google My Business Store feeds that are optimized to get your store’s products maximum exposure.
Let us take the stress out of Local Inventory Product Feed Management so you can go back to advertising your products.