Currently available in only San Fran, Houston and Chicago, the new G-Boost beta ad tool has been recently launched, much to the fortune of countless local businesses in the three selected areas.  Boost ads, appearing in the purple “Sponsored Links” section of a given SERP, add a whole new set of features to the once simple ad background with contact details.  It can now enable business owners to place ads utilizing ‘built-in’ Google Maps, customer reviews and more.

“…your [Boost] ad may also include the number of reviews you’ve received, an average star rating and a link to your Place page to help potential customers find additional useful information about your business. When a map appears alongside the results, a blue pin will help folks quickly find your location on the map. Businesses using Google Tags will also see their yellow tag appear in the ad.”

The new PPC beta may not be flawless, perfect or fully refined, but it sure does have potential right from the get go. Even in its current limited availability and scale, Boost does provide local businesses with an even more effective way to advertise themselves in front of users, supposedly making access to desired business information quicker and more convenient than before.

Boost may be the next billion dollars-worth PCC ad tool, but it won’t go anywhere without a proper initial push. Whether generated on its own with a tiny bit of help from Google or otherwise, publicity is king, and if Boost turns out to be the next big thing, there will be more than enough businesses happy to fill up Google’s pockets.  This all moves Google closer to its hyperlocalization trends.  In other Google ad news, the company has incorporated interactive video ads into its AdMob platform.