2 min read

Google SMS Text Message Remarketing

Picture of Honcho Honcho : Jan 18, 2016 10:34:14 AM

Last december Google announced a surprising new ad format: SMS Text Message Remarketing. At the moment, not much information has been revealed but, after searching for more information and speaking with a Google member, we can explain in a little detail how this new ad format works. How does this work? The new ad format will allow searches to subscribe to receive updates and deals via SMS text message to their mobile phones. People / users can click to subscribe to a Google service that tailors promotional messages to products they’re interested in. How can I subscribe to the service as a user? If you are a user and you want to receive an offer, you just need to text “JOIN” to the Google deals numbers. Example of past offers were: For Black Friday – 847-904-0608 For Cyber Monday – 847-906-8958 For Holiday deals – 847-904-0596 Once you are subscribed to one or more categories, you will then only receive offers related and relevant to these specific categories. What offers, as a consumer, could you subscribe at? Apparently consumers can choose from a variety of product categories including Computer deals, TV deals, Holidays deals, Phones deals and Game console deals. How can I unsubscribe? After subscribing, your phone numbers will remain private, but if you want to un-subscribe to the service, you have the option to opt out of receiving messages at any time by replying STOP. How can I subscribe to the service as a business? If you are a business, you cannot subscribe to this service at the moment. Google is testing this format with a small group of retailers, and the test is only available in the United States, so at the moment, the new format is not yet available for us to try. What are the benefits for your business? The new ad format will offer a new way to reach your audience in critical times with relevant updates, offers, promotions, products launches or announcements such as a limited time sales, out of stock items becoming available again or exclusive discounts. Will the business control the timing, frequency and the text messages? No. Although this is going to be a paid service, the advertisers will not receive the client’s phone or any other contact from them, as well as not being able to control the messages sent. What’s meant by critical times? Another way to call them is the special days of the year, commercially speaking. At the moment tests have allowed users to try Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holidays deals that are not yet current. However Google will probably reveal Easter, Summer, Valentine’s Day, Mother Day or Fathers Day deals in due course. I will keep you up to date. However, in the mean time, if you have any questions or would simply like to get in touch, then please do: vanesa@honchosearch.com