So, What Is Geofencing and Why Should You Care?

Geofencing is a form of location-based digital advertising that uses GPS or Wi-Fi signals to create a virtual perimeter around real-world spaces. When a mobile device crosses into that zone, it triggers an ad—typically on mobile browsers, apps, or OTT platforms.

But this isn’t just about drawing invisible circles on a map. It’s about capturing attention at the exact right place and time.

You’re not sending just any message—you’re sending the right message when your customer is standing right outside your door.

How Does Geofencing Advertising Work in Real Time?

Let’s break it into actionable steps:

Choose the geofence — Define a radius around your business or strategic location (like a competitor).
Tag incoming devices — Mobile IDs entering the zone are captured using real-time data.
Deliver personalized ads — Send relevant ads to those devices across channels.
Track the outcome — Analyze metrics like impressions, clicks, and walk-ins.

Need a real-world comparison? This overview on proximity marketing from Forbes explains how geofencing aligns digital with physical behavior.

Why Geofencing Isn’t Just a Trend

Geofencing is a fundamental shift in digital marketing—from targeting who people are, to targeting where they are.

Key benefits of geofencing advertising:

Real-time ad delivery based on user location
Higher ROI from precise targeting
Offline-to-online attribution (track in-store visits after ads)
Competitive edge by targeting rival locations

Looking to start? Brandify’s geo-ad platform offers simple, scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes.

When Should You Use Geofencing?

Any time you want to convert location into action. Some practical examples include:

Retailers advertising to foot traffic in nearby shopping centers
Restaurants triggering happy hour ads to nearby workers
Real estate agents targeting specific neighborhoods during open houses
Healthcare clinics promoting flu shot reminders to passersby

Quick Tips for Geofencing Success

Use a small radius (under 1 mile) to keep ads hyper-local
Launch time-sensitive offers during peak hours
Combine with retargeting for multi-touch engagement
Test locations to see which zones yield the highest response

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the average radius for effective geofencing?
Anywhere from 500 feet to 1.5 miles, depending on the density of your market.

Can geofencing target competitor locations?
Yes, it’s commonly used to deliver offers to people visiting similar businesses nearby.

Is there proof geofencing increases foot traffic?
Platforms like Brandify use walk-in attribution data to show who saw an ad and later visited a store.

Why Brands Partner with Brandify

Brandify simplifies the complex. Their geofencing tools let you build location-based campaigns that connect digital impressions to real-world visits.

Use Brandify to:

Create geofenced zones in minutes
Deploy ads across mobile, OTT, and display
Access real-time analytics and visit-based reporting

Start your next campaign with Brandify’s geofencing strategy tools and turn local engagement into measurable growth.

Final Takeaway

You already know where your customers are. The question is: are your ads meeting them there?

Geofencing isn’t just about technology—it’s about timing, relevance, and results. Start targeting smarter and closing the loop between ad and action.

Get a free targeting plan within the hour for your business here: https://brandify.io/targeting-plan/

Press Release: https://www.prlog.org/13053451

The Marketer’s Guide to Geofencing — Turning Location into a Revenue Engine