Google Adds Printable Coupons to Local Listings

Google is adding to its advertising services for small businesses with the launch of printable online coupons on Google Maps.

The program, offered in partnership with direct mail coupon mainstay Valpak, lets businesses add discount coupons to their listing on Google Maps for free. Beginning today, current Valpak advertisers can add their coupons, which will be updated daily. The company currently distributes its coupons via direct mail and on its Valpak.com site.

For Google, the coupons will improve the user experience, as well as incentivize advertisers to create and update their business listing on Google Maps, Gokul Rajaram, director of product management, told ClickZ.

“Small and local businesses are already using coupons, this gives them additional online distribution. It’s good for the merchants, and good for the user experience,” Rajaram said.

Any business can add detailed information about their business to Google Maps for free through Google’s Local Business Center. Once a listing is created, businesses can add a coupon in the same interface. The printable coupon will be co-branded by Google and Valpak, so businesses will know where it came from.

In coming months, Google intends to let AdWords advertisers drive traffic to their Google Maps coupon page through AdWords, Rajaram said.