Google Boost is a location-based ad product for local businesses.  Boost ads show up when users search for local businesses.  They appear in the sponsored links section of Google Search and Google Maps. Ads will appear when the right combination of vertical keyword (e.g., “auto insurance”) and location keyword (e.g., “Twinsburg Ohio”) is met.  It is also expected that Google will serve up these ads based on users IP address, if they are signed in and/or the manually selected location.

Google first launched Boost in the San Francisco, Houston and Chicago, a location-based ad product for local businesses back in October of 2010.  With the success of the Beta test, Google has begun to roll it to most US cities.

The ads can contain basic location information, such as the address, business name phone number, business description, as well as more consumer contributed snippets of information, including a star ratings, and the number of reviews.  The listing can link to your website or your Google Places page.

Business owners or their advertising representatives can easily create Boost ads from within their Google Places account. Initial setup is simple, and campaign management is automatic.  To get started all the business owner needs to do is set a budget, and Google’s advertising algorithm takes care of the details of placement and frequency.

Why this is important to participate in is that Google’s is able capture highly qualified, actively interested consumers. When you add Google Boost to your listing, you can advertise your business on Google and Google Maps (including mobile devices) and attract more visitors to your website or Place page.

Benefits of advertising online with Boost?

• Attract more local customers to your website or Place page.
• Pay only when people click on your ad.
• Create ads directly from your Places account within minutes.
• No ongoing management is needed after you sign up. Boost runs the ads for you.
• Measure the effectiveness of your ads in your Places dashboard.

So, should you Boost?  It’s worth a test.  I’ve had clients that it cuts their costs in half, while others who we shut down in less than a week because we thought Adwords was better.  Just depends on your situation.