Google Maps
cablate/mcp-google-map
Search places, resolve addresses, compare routes, inspect neighborhoods, and retrieve geographic or environmental facts through the standalone @cablate/mcp-google-map CLI.
When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results.
Install Local Search Ads
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-ads --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .claude/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .claude/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-adsType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-ads --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .agents/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .agents/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-ads --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .cursor/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .cursor/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git --path skills/local-search-ads--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-ads --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .gemini/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .gemini/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-adsInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .github/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .github/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install garrettjsmith/localseoskills local-search-ads --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/local-search-ads .opencode/skills/local-search-ads && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "local-search-ads" agent skill from https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills/tree/main/skills/local-search-ads into .opencode/skills/local-search-ads/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "local-search-ads", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
local-search-ads- GitHub stars
- 121
- Token cost
- ~2k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 1,041 words
- Files
- 1
- Skills in repo
- 38
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- MIT
At a glance
When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results.
- Works in 5 steps: Google Ads account with active campaigns → Google Business Profile claimed and… → Location assets (location extensions)… → …
- Wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results
- SKILL.md covers What Are Local Search Ads?, Requirements, Campaign Setup and Optimization, plus 7 more sections
- Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md
What it does
Local Search Ads is an agent skill from garrettjsmith/localseoskills. When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results. Also use when the user mentions "local search ads," "map pack ads," "ads in the map results," "local pack ads," "Google Maps ads," "location extensions ads," or "promoted pins on Google Maps." For LSAs (pay-per-lead), see lsa-ads. For standard geographic PPC, see local-ppc-ads.
Its SKILL.md is about 2k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.
It sits in Marketing & SEO, covering Local SEO. It works with Google Maps Platform and Google Ads. The repository describes itself as: Open-source Claude SEO tool for local search visibility — skills, tool integrations, and automation templates that turn Claude into a Local SEO expert. The licence is MIT.
When your agent uses it
- Wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results
- The user mentions local search ads
- Ads in the map results
- Google Maps ads
Example prompts
- “local search ads,”
- “map pack ads,”
- “ads in the map results,”
- “/local-search-ads”
Workflow steps
5 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
- Google Ads account with active campaigns
- Google Business Profile claimed and verified
- Location assets (location extensions) enabled in Google Ads
- GBP linked to Google Ads account
- Bidding on relevant local keywords
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 405ce20. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md.
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Local Search Ads loads about 2k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 98 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,041 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
The full file from garrettjsmith/localseoskills at commit 405ce20, republished under its MIT licence (© garrettjsmith). 1,041 words, ~2,024 tokens.
Download SKILL.mdSave it as
.claude/skills/local-search-ads/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).- name
- local-search-ads
- description
- When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results. Also use when the user mentions "local search ads," "map pack ads," "ads in the map results," "local pack ads," "Google Maps ads," "location extensions ads," or "promoted pins on Google Maps." For LSAs (pay-per-lead), see lsa-ads. For standard geographic PPC, see local-ppc-ads.
- metadata.version
- 1.0.0
- metadata.author
- Garrett Smith
Local Search Ads (Map Pack Ads)
You are an expert in the Google Ads format that places ads inside the local map pack / local pack results. Your goal is to help businesses get visibility in map results through paid placement when organic map pack ranking is insufficient.
What Are Local Search Ads?
Local search ads are Google Ads that appear within the local pack (map results) on Google Search and on Google Maps. They look like organic map pack listings but with a small "Sponsored" label.
How They Differ from Regular Ads
- Appear inside the map pack, not above or below it
- Show business name, rating, address, hours — like an organic listing
- Driven by Google Ads campaigns + location assets (formerly location extensions)
- Pay per click (not per lead like LSAs)
- Require a linked Google Business Profile
Where They Appear
- Google Search local pack (the map + business results)
- Google Maps search results
- Google Maps navigation suggestions
- "Promoted pins" on the Google Maps interface
Requirements
Must Have
- Google Ads account with active campaigns
- Google Business Profile claimed and verified
- Location assets (location extensions) enabled in Google Ads
- GBP linked to Google Ads account
- Bidding on relevant local keywords
How Linking Works
- In Google Ads: Assets → Location assets → Link to Google Business Profile
- GBP must be verified and in good standing
- Can link multiple GBP locations to one Ads account
- Each location can show in map pack ads for its service area
Campaign Setup
Campaign Types That Support Local Search Ads
Search Campaigns with Location Assets
- Standard search campaign targeting local keywords
- Add location assets linking to GBP
- Bid on service + location terms
- Ads eligible to show in map pack AND regular search results
Performance Max (Local)
- Google's AI-driven campaign type
- Automatically places ads across Search, Maps, Display, YouTube, Gmail
- Requires linked GBP locations as "store visits" or "local actions" goals
- Less control over placement but broader reach
Local Campaigns (Legacy)
- Being phased into Performance Max
- If still available, optimized specifically for local actions
- Drives store visits, calls, directions
Keyword Strategy
[service] near me— high intent[service] [city]— explicit local[service] in [neighborhood]— hyperlocalbest [service] [city]— comparison intent- Category terms:
plumber,dentist,auto repair(with location targeting)
Bidding
- Start with Maximize Clicks or Maximize Conversions
- Use location bid adjustments for priority areas
- Bid higher during business hours
- Bid higher on mobile (map pack ads are heavily mobile)
- Monitor CPC vs. organic traffic — sometimes organic investment is more efficient
Optimization
GBP Quality Matters for Ad Performance
Even though these are paid, your GBP quality affects ad performance:
- Star rating shown in the ad — higher rating = higher CTR
- Review count visible — more reviews = more trust
- Photos — some formats show a photo
- Hours — "Open now" improves click-through
- Categories — must match the keywords you're bidding on
Location Asset Optimization
- Ensure every location you want ads for is linked
- Keep GBP data accurate and complete
- Use location-specific phone numbers (for call tracking)
- Set correct business hours (ads show "Open" / "Closed")
Ad Copy Tips
- Can't control map pack ad copy directly (Google uses GBP data)
- But your search ads that trigger map pack placement use your ad copy
- Include city/area in ad headlines
- Include service specifics
- Strong CTAs: "Call Now," "Free Estimate," "Same-Day Service"
Negative Keywords
jobs,salary,hiring,career— people searching for employmentDIY,how to,tutorial— informational intentfree— unless you offer free estimates[competitor names]— unless running competitor targeting intentionallyreviews,complaints— research intent, low conversion
Measuring Performance
Key Metrics
- Map pack impressions: How often your ad showed in local results
- Clicks: Clicks on the ad (call, directions, website)
- Click-through rate (CTR): Map pack ad CTR vs. regular search ads
- Cost per click (CPC): Usually higher than regular search due to high intent
- Local actions: Calls, direction requests, website visits from the ad
- Store visits (if enabled): Estimated in-person visits attributed to the ad
Show full SKILL.md (397 more words)Show less
Attribution Challenges
- Google lumps local search ad clicks with regular search ad clicks
- Segment by "Click type" to see calls, directions, website clicks
- Use call tracking to attribute phone calls
- "Store visits" metric requires enough location data (large advertisers only)
Local Search Ads vs. Organic Map Pack
| Factor | Paid (Local Search Ads) | Organic (Map Pack) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Immediate visibility | Months of optimization |
| Cost | Per click | Free (time/effort) |
| Position | Marked "Sponsored" | Organic results |
| Control | Keywords, bids, schedule | Indirect (GBP, reviews, citations) |
| Trust | Lower (ad label) | Higher (organic placement) |
| Sustainability | Stops when budget stops | Maintains with upkeep |
Best approach: Run local search ads for immediate visibility while building organic map pack presence for long-term.
Multi-Location Considerations
- Link all locations to Google Ads via location assets
- Use location groups to manage which locations show for which campaigns
- Set location-specific bid adjustments
- Budget allocation per market based on opportunity and competition
- Performance varies significantly by location — don't apply uniform bids
Common Mistakes
- No GBP linked — ads can't appear in map pack without location assets
- Poor GBP quality — low ratings/reviews kill ad CTR
- Not bidding on local terms — generic keywords won't trigger map pack placement
- Ignoring mobile — majority of map pack views are mobile
- No call tracking — missing the primary conversion action
- Same strategy as regular search — map pack ads need local-specific optimization
Task-Specific Questions
- Is GBP claimed, verified, and linked to Google Ads?
- What keywords/services to target?
- What geographic areas?
- Single or multi-location?
- Current Google Ads setup (new or existing campaigns)?
- Monthly budget for local ads specifically?
What to Do Next
| What You Found | Next Action | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Running map ads but no LSAs | LSAs appear above everything — add them for maximum SERP coverage | lsa-ads |
| Need standard PPC beyond the map pack | Set up geographically targeted search ads | local-ppc-ads |
| GBP profile is weak (hurts ad quality) | Optimize GBP — ad performance depends on profile quality | gbp-optimization |
| Want to compare paid vs. organic map pack visibility | Run geogrid scans to see organic rankings alongside paid | geogrid-analysis |
| Need to report ad performance to clients | Build ad metrics into local reporting framework | local-reporting |
Default next step: Local Search Ads work best when the GBP profile is already strong. Optimize the profile first, then amplify with ads.
Tools for This Skill
See docs/tool-routing to pick based on what's connected.
- Geogrid scan (compare organic vs paid map pack visibility) → Local Falcon (only option)
© garrettjsmith, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file
Files
Just SKILL.md in skills/local-search-ads of garrettjsmith/localseoskills.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 405ce20
Compare with similar skills
Local Search Ads next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Search Ads this skillgarrettjsmith/localseoskills | 121 | — | ~2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Google Mapscablate/mcp-google-map | 469 | — | ~909 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Google Maps Local SEOcablate/mcp-google-map | 469 | — | ~633 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Google Maps Travel Planningcablate/mcp-google-map | 469 | — | ~710 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Maps Intelligence for Local SEOAgriciDaniel/claude-seo | 19k | 1 repos | ~3.1k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Local SEO Manageralirezarezvani/claude-skills | 28k | — | ~3.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
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Maps Intelligence for Local SEO
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Related
Works with
Categories
Questions about Local Search Ads
What does Local Search Ads do?
When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results. Local Search Ads is an agent skill from garrettjsmith/localseoskills. When the user wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results.
When should I use Local Search Ads?
Local Search Ads fits situations like: wants to run ads that appear inside the Google Maps local pack / map pack results; the user mentions local search ads; ads in the map results; google Maps ads.
How do I install Local Search Ads in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/local-search-ads in garrettjsmith/localseoskills) into .claude/skills/local-search-ads in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Local Search Ads in Codex?
Run `npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/local-search-ads in garrettjsmith/localseoskills) into .agents/skills/local-search-ads in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Local Search Ads in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add garrettjsmith/localseoskills --skill local-search-ads -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/local-search-ads, .gemini/skills/local-search-ads, .github/skills/local-search-ads and .opencode/skills/local-search-ads in your project.
What does Local Search Ads need to run?
SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Local Search Ads is instructions for the agent only.
Does Local Search Ads access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Local Search Ads safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does Local Search Ads use?
Local Search Ads is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.
How many tokens does Local Search Ads use?
About 2k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 8.1k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.
What are the alternatives to Local Search Ads?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Local Search Ads: Google Maps (cablate/mcp-google-map, 469 stars), Google Maps Local SEO (cablate/mcp-google-map, 469 stars), Google Maps Travel Planning (cablate/mcp-google-map, 469 stars) and Maps Intelligence for Local SEO (AgriciDaniel/claude-seo, 19k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Local Search Ads?
garrettjsmith (a GitHub user) maintains it in garrettjsmith/localseoskills, which has 121 GitHub stars. The repository holds 38 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on August 15, 2026.
Source: garrettjsmith/localseoskills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.