Quick answer: Radius targeting in Google Ads shows your ads to users within a chosen distance from a specific address. The minimum is 1 km. Set it in campaign Locations, pick Radius, enter your center address, set the distance, and save.
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Radius targeting is one of the most precise location tools Google Ads offers. It works for any business with a defined service area or catchment zone. Here's how to set it up and make it work harder.
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What is Radius Targeting in Google Ads?
Definition and how it works
Radius targeting shows your ads to users whose signals place them within a set distance from your chosen address. It's also called proximity targeting. Per Google's Ads Help Center, those signals include device location, browser settings, and on-platform behavior. Hard geographic borders don't apply here. It's Google's best-effort match between a user and a location.
When to use radius targeting vs. other location options
Google Ads lets you target countries, cities, postal codes, and regions. Radius targeting is the right choice when your service area doesn't fit any pre-built boundary. A 10-mile delivery zone, a gym drawing from a nearby neighborhood, or a contractor serving a tight suburb all benefit more from a radius than from a city-level target.
Typical use cases for local businesses
- Service businesses with a defined coverage zone
- Retail stores targeting walkable or drivable distance
- Delivery services with a fixed service range
- Event promotions within a specific city area
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Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Radius Targeting
Access your campaign location settings
Sign into Google Ads. Open the campaign you want to edit. Click Locations in the left-side navigation panel.
Select the radius option
Click the blue pencil icon. A targeting menu appears. Select Radius. Per Google Ads Help Center documentation on location targeting setup, this is the correct path for any eligible campaign type. Note. radius targeting is not available for Hotel Ads campaigns.
Enter the center address
Type the address for your radius center point. This is usually your business location or a key service hub. Pick the correct result from the autocomplete list.
Set your radius distance and units
Enter a number in the distance field. Choose kilometers or miles from the dropdown. The minimum allowed radius is 1 km. Google enforces this floor because of privacy thresholds and minimum user count requirements. You cannot go below 1 km.
Preview and save your targeting
Check the map preview. Confirm the shaded coverage area matches your intent. Adjust if needed, then click Save.
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Key Constraints and Best Practices
Minimum radius requirement (1 km)
The 1 km floor is firm. Google's Ads Help Center states this minimum exists to protect user privacy and maintain minimum audience size requirements. No exceptions apply.
Location targeting accuracy and privacy thresholds
Radius targeting is signal-based, not GPS-pinned. A user browsing from a coffee shop may register as being several miles from their home. Build some tolerance into your radius to account for this variability.
Tips for choosing the right radius size
Start with 5 km or 5 miles for most local campaigns. It's a workable default. Very tight radii like 1 to 2 km may cause intermittent ad delivery if the targeted population is too small to meet Google's thresholds. Check delivery volume in the first two weeks and expand if needed.
Excluding unwanted areas
You can exclude locations that fall inside your radius but outside your real service area. Use the location exclusion feature in the Locations tab. Block specific zip codes, neighborhoods, or cities to keep spend focused where it matters.
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Optimization Tips for Local Campaigns
Start small and adjust based on performance
Launch with a conservative radius. Review conversion volume and cost per conversion after two to four weeks. Let the data tell you whether to expand or contract. Don't guess upfront and let a wide radius burn budget.
Layer radius targeting with bid adjustments
Google Ads supports bid adjustments by location. If users closest to your business convert at a higher rate, apply a positive bid adjustment for that inner zone. Set a neutral or reduced adjustment for the outer ring. This allocates budget toward your best-performing distance tier.
Monitor conversion distance reporting
Google Ads shows where your converting users are located relative to your business. If most conversions come from within 3 km and your radius is set to 15 km, you're paying for reach that doesn't convert. Trim the radius to match your real conversion zone.
Combine with location extensions
Location extensions display your address, phone number, and a map link directly in the ad. They reinforce proximity relevance for users searching nearby. A visible local address in the ad unit increases trust and click-through rates for location-sensitive queries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum radius for Google Ads radius targeting?
The minimum radius is 1 km. Google enforces this floor to protect user privacy and ensure the targeted audience meets minimum size thresholds. You cannot set a radius smaller than 1 km in any campaign type that supports proximity targeting.
Can I use radius targeting for all Google Ads campaign types?
Radius targeting works for most campaign types, but it is not available for Hotel Ads campaigns. For Search, Display, and Performance Max campaigns, you can apply a radius from the campaign Locations settings.
How accurate is Google Ads radius targeting?
Per Google's Ads Help Center, location targeting is based on user signals such as device settings, browser behavior, and on-platform activity. It is not GPS-pinned. Google makes a best-effort match, so some users outside your radius may see your ads and some inside may not. Build tolerance into your radius size to account for this.
Can I combine radius targeting with bid adjustments?
Yes. You can apply positive or negative bid adjustments to specific locations within your radius. This lets you bid more aggressively for users closest to your business and reduce bids for the outer edge of your coverage area, improving your return on ad spend.