Google AdWords Local Business Ads have been a great source of inventory for those wishing to reach a local audience. They are primary shown on maps.google.com (formerly local.google.com).

Recently, Google has begun to show those ads on Google Earth 4.0 (recently released).

Here’s a screenshot of maps.google.com for “Utica, NY hotel”. Note the custom Best Western Icon in the map itself.

As one can see, there’s a custom Best Western Icon in both the ad and on the map. This feature has also been added to Google Earth. Here’s a screenshot of Google Earth for the same query.

The biggest problem facing local companies is good inventory. It was common a year and a half ago for many properties to give preference to national companies (highest bidders) on local properties. Over time, the engines are starting to give some preference to local based companies on local properties.

The Google Earth expansion of additional inventory for local businesses is welcome. We all knew that Google was going to add advertising to Earth eventually. At least when the advertising has arrived, its relevant to the search result.

• Local Business Ads to be syndicated to Maps API Sites
• links for 2008-02-15
• Overture Local Advantages & Disadvantages
• links for 2007-09-11
• Google’s Local Search Lags Behind other Properties