Visibility is everything. With more than 95% of car buyers starting their journey online, dealerships that don’t show up in the right place at the right time are losing opportunities daily.
Bottom line: if you’re a dealership not yet using Google VLA, you’re already behind.
What Are Google Vehicle Listing Ads?
Google VLAs are visual ads that appear at the top of search results when users search for specific vehicles. These listings showcase a car’s image, price, mileage, location, and dealership name — all before a user even clicks.
Unlike traditional search ads, VLAs are powered by real-time inventory data from your dealership’s feed, helping shoppers find the exact car they’re looking for — new or used — directly on Google.
Why Google VLA Ads Matter to Car Dealerships
1. Capture High-Intent Shoppers
VLAs show up when users are actively searching for cars like “2023 Toyota Camry near me.” These are bottom-of-the-funnel buyers who know what they want and are ready to act.
2. Premium Placement on Google
VLAs appear above traditional text ads and organic listings on Google Search. That means more eyeballs, more clicks, and more leads — especially on mobile.
3. Rich, Visual Shopping Experience
Photos, pricing, dealership location, and availability — all visible at a glance. It’s like having your inventory on the front page of Google 24/7.
4. Automatic Updates and Optimization
When set up properly, your VLA feed automatically updates with your inventory. No more manually pausing ads when a car is sold. It’s smart, scalable, and efficient.
5. Cost-Effective Compared to Other Platforms
Since VLAs are CPC-based and often drive high conversion rates, they can deliver a lower cost per lead than traditional paid search or Meta Ads — especially for VIN-specific searches.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a dealership looking to move metal, you can’t afford to ignore Google Vehicle Listing Ads. They’re purpose-built for automotive dealers, optimized for conversions, and designed to meet today’s car shoppers where they are: on Google, searching for their next ride.
Ready to get started with VLAs?
Reach out to us at the Miller Ad Agency!
