Those marketing mobile applications via Google AdWords are getting some new weapons in their arsenal this week. Google has announced four new tools: a new Mobile App extension for AdWords, additional information to the click-to-download format, the ability to see Google Play stats in AdWords, and Custom Search Ads for mobile apps.
The Mobile App extension — currently for smartphones only, not tablets — will help advertisers raise awareness of the fact that they have an app. When users are searching on their smartphones for a brand name or product category, they’ll see relevant ads displayed, and advertisers that have apps can append a link to their app below the ad description. If a user is searching for Wells Fargo or Walgreens, for example, the ad would allow users to see that they could get information via the brand’s app, rather than going to the mobile web site.