Radius targeting is the perfect way to reach customers within a certain distance of your shop, office, or service centre. In the UK, you can use a postcode (or postcode area) as the central point for your radius.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Navigate to Campaign Settings

1. Sign in to your Google Ads account.

2. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Campaigns and select the campaign you wish to update.

3. Click Settings next to the campaign.

Step 2: Access the Location Settings

1. On the Settings page, click to expand the Locations section.

2. The default is usually “All countries and territories.” Click the blue link that says Enter another location to change this.

3. Click the blue link that says Advanced search.

Step 3: Implement Radius Targeting

1. In the pop-up window that appears, find and select the Radius option at the top.

2. Enter the Postcode and Radius:

• In the search bar, enter your UK Postcode (e.g., SW1A 0AA for central London, or M5V for a broader area).

• Next to the search bar, set the desired distance (e.g., 5).

• Use the dropdown menu to choose your unit of measure: miles or kilometres.

3. Add the Target:

• The map preview on the right will instantly show the circular area being targeted.

• Click the blue Target button to add the radius to your campaign.

Step 4: Save and Finalise

1. Once you have added all necessary locations (including any radius targets and city or county targets), click Done at the bottom of the pop-up window.

2. On the main Campaign Settings page, click Save to apply the new location targeting to your campaign.

Expert Notes and Advice

1. Postcodes vs. Full Address

• Postcode Advice: For the most precise and reliable radius targeting, always use a full postcode or a full address as the centre point. Using a general city name (like “Manchester”) can sometimes place the centre pin in a less-than-ideal location (like the geographic centre, which might be a park or river).

• Multiple Radius Targets: You can repeat the process to add multiple radius targets for different locations (e.g., a 5-mile radius around your shop in Manchester and a 3-mile radius around your shop in Liverpool).

2. Remember Your Location Options

When you set your location target, always double-check the Location Options dropdown (found just below the Locations box in Campaign Settings). This controls who sees your ads in those areas:

3. The Privacy Limit

• Note: Google maintains a minimum radius size, typically 1 kilometre, to comply with user privacy standards. If the area you select is very sparsely populated, Google may not serve your ads consistently due to low reach.