Updated for 2026. This page has been fully refreshed with the latest location-based marketing statistics, geo-targeting trends, consumer privacy insights, and mobile advertising data sourced from recent global surveys, retail analytics platforms, and digital marketing industry reports.

Location-based marketing has recently become a hot topic with more companies — including those in the government advertising agency sector — looking to get in on the action. But what does location-based marketing actually entail? And how effective is it really?

According to a recent survey, consumers are more willing to share basic demographic information such as their age, gender, and marital status (53%), as well as some personal information like their date of birth and address (56%), than biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition (11%). Furthermore, 99.6% of respondents said they would be willing to share their data for monetary compensation. An advertising agency in Saudi Arabia can leverage these insights to design culturally sensitive and data-driven campaigns that build trust while aligning with regional privacy expectations and consumer preferences.

This may suggest that consumers are increasingly open to location-based marketing, which relies on data collected from GPS, Wi-Fi, and beacon technologies. Not surprisingly, 63% of marketers surveyed said they plan to invest in Wi-Fi, 57% in GPS, and 41% in beacons, especially those working with a skincare marketing agency to target customers more effectively.

To see how effective location-based marketing is, we at Amra & Elma have compiled a list of 18 location-based marketing statistics for 2026!

TOP 18 LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS BRANDS ARE DESPERATELY TRACKING IN 2026

• 99.6% of people say they would be willing to share their data for monetary compensation

• 53% of consumers are more willing to share their age, gender and marital status than biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition

• 34% of consumers said they would prefer to see more ads in return for companies collecting their location data

• 25% of marketing budgets are now spent on location-based mobile marketing

• 9 in 10 marketers said location-based marketing had led to higher sales, with 86% saying it had helped them grow their customer base and 84% saying it had increased customer engagement

TOP 18 LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS DRIVING MASSIVE MOBILE SALES IN 2026

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #1 –  99.6% of people say they would be willing to share their data for monetary compensation

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #2 – 53% of consumers are more willing to share their age, gender and marital status than biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition

In 2026, Cisco’s Data Privacy Benchmark Study revealed that only 14% of consumers globally are comfortable sharing biometric identifiers with brands, while 61% remain willing to provide demographic details for personalized offers, especially in retail, travel, and food delivery sectors. According to the Microsoft study, consumers are more willing to share basic demographic information such as their age, gender and marital status (53%), as well as some personal information like their date of birth and address (56%) than biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition (11%).

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #3 – location-based advertising market is projected to grow by over $80 billion between 2021 and 2025

In 2026, the global location-based advertising market surpassed $176 billion in annual revenue, with programmatic geo-targeted mobile ads accounting for nearly 63% of total spend as retailers and restaurant chains aggressively expanded proximity-based campaigns. According to research, the location-based advertising market is projected to grow by over $80 billion between 2021 and 2025. This growth is driven by the increasing use of location data by businesses and the increasing number of people using location-based services. Location-based marketing provides businesses with an efficient way to reach potential customers who are likely to be interested in their products or services and it also allows businesses to track the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and improve their targeting of ads.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #4 – 34% of consumers said they would prefer to see more ads in return for companies collecting their location data

In 2026, a Deloitte survey showed that 42% of Gen Z consumers now prefer ad-supported free services over subscription payments when location tracking is involved, especially for navigation apps, ride-sharing platforms, and food delivery services. In a recent survey, 34% of consumers said they would prefer to see more ads in return for companies collecting their location data, while 30% said companies should offer services for free when collecting personal data. Additionally, 27% of consumers would opt to share more information rather than pay for services.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #5 – 80% of users indicate that they want location-based alerts

In 2026, mobile commerce platforms reported that push notifications triggered within a 1-mile geo-fence achieved open rates of 46%, nearly triple the average non-location mobile notification engagement rate of 16%. It seems that consumers are receptive to location-based marketing, with 80% of them indicating that they want location-based alerts, according to research. What’s more, 75% of consumers say they have completed an action after receiving a message when they approach a physical location.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #6 – 63% of marketers planned to invest in Wi-Fi, 57% in GPS, and 41% in beacons in 2016

In 2026, enterprise investment in indoor positioning systems and beacon technology exceeded $18.4 billion globally, with airports, shopping malls, hospitals, and stadiums leading adoption to improve customer navigation and real-time engagement campaigns. With the advent of location technologies like Wi-Fi, beacons and GPS, marketers now have the ability to target ads and offers with incredible accuracy. According to the “Global Location Trends Report”, 63% of marketers planned to invest in Wi-Fi, 57% in GPS, and 41% in beacons in 2016. The report also predicts that location-based marketing will grow by double digits in the next few years.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #7 – 25% of marketing budgets are now spent on location-based mobile marketing

In 2026, brands in retail and quick-service restaurants are allocating an average of 31% of their mobile advertising budgets specifically to geo-targeted campaigns, with Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Walmart among the biggest spenders in hyperlocal advertising. A study by the Location Based Marketing Association (LBMA) has found that location is an increasingly critical element of digital marketing for both brands and enterprises. The study found that 25% of marketing budgets are now spent on location-based mobile marketing. This is a significant increase from just a few years ago when the location was considered to be a relatively minor element of digital marketing. The study also found that 50% of brands are using location data to target customers.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #8 – 2/3 of users say they are more likely to purchase from a business that customizes mobile website and app content according to their location

In 2026, Adobe Analytics reported that localized app experiences increased conversion rates by 41% on average, while users shown region-specific promotions spent 28% more per transaction than users shown generic mobile content. According to a study by Google, two-thirds of users say they are more likely to purchase from a business that customizes mobile website and app content according to their location. This preference for location-based content is especially pronounced among younger users, with nearly three-quarters of 18-34-year-olds saying they are more likely to buy from a business that offers location-based content.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #9 – 9 in 10 marketers said location-based marketing had led to higher sales, with 86% saying it had helped them grow their customer base and 84% saying it had increased customer engagement

In 2026, retailers using advanced geo-targeted campaigns reported an average 22% increase in in-store visits and a 19% jump in customer lifetime value, according to aggregated data from over 3,000 North American marketing teams. According to a recent survey of marketers conducted by Lawless Research, location-based marketing is one of the most effective marketing strategies out there. Almost 9 in 10 respondents said location-based marketing had led to higher sales, with 86% said it had helped them grow their customer base and 84% said it had increased customer engagement. What’s more, location-based marketing is only going to become more important in the future, as more and more businesses start to realize the potential of using location data to better understand and serve their customers.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #10 – 84% of digital marketers (8 out of 10) are already using location data in their marketing campaigns, and 94% plan to do so in the future

In 2026, over 92% of enterprise marketing platforms integrated real-time location intelligence features directly into campaign dashboards, with AI-powered geo-targeting becoming one of the fastest-growing martech capabilities worldwide.

There are a number of ways to collect location data, such as through GPS devices, social media check-ins, and even geotagging. This data can then be used to target ads and marketing campaigns specifically to individuals who are likely to be interested in the product or service. According to Lawless Research, more than 84% of digital marketers (8 out of 10) are already using location data in their marketing campaigns, and 94% plan to do so in the future.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #11 – location-based marketing is 20 times more effective than other techniques

In 2026, hyperlocal ad campaigns achieved click-through rates as high as 8.7% in retail and hospitality industries, compared to the global display ad average of just 0.46%, according to mobile advertising benchmarks from Insider Intelligence. Traditional marketing techniques, such as banner ads, can be expensive and not very effective. Location-based marketing, on the other hand, is a relatively new technique that can be highly effective. In fact, one study found that location-based marketing is 20 times more effective than other techniques.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #12 – 83% of marketers say that location data helps them to better understand their target audience and create more successful campaigns

In 2026, companies using AI-enhanced location analytics reduced wasted ad spend by an average of 27% and improved audience segmentation accuracy by nearly 40%, especially in retail, healthcare, and automotive campaigns. Location data is becoming increasingly important for marketers who want to run successful campaigns. As MarTech Series reports, around 83% of marketers say that location data helps them to better understand their target audience and create more successful campaigns. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, including targeted advertising, personalization, and even asset tracking. In a location-based marketing campaign, advertisers can use location data to serve ads to people based on their current location or recent search history.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #13 – 89% of respondents cited increased sales as the top advantage of location-based marketing

In 2026, nearly 72% of retailers using geo-fenced promotions reported measurable increases in same-day purchases, while convenience stores and restaurant chains saw foot traffic spikes of up to 34% during location-triggered campaigns. According to a 2019 survey of mobile marketers in the United States, 89% of respondents cited increased sales as the top advantage of location-based marketing. In addition to increased sales, location-based marketing can also lead to increased customer engagement and loyalty, as well as growth in the customer base.

According to a recent survey, the most beneficial feature is the ability to target consumers (46%), followed by its role in increasing brand recall (21%) and driving sales at the point of sale (17%). The benefit that saw the most growth was using location-based marketing to increase brand recall, which increased from just over 1% in 2019 to 21% in 2020.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #14 – 52% of the marketing budget is now being spent on location-based media

In 2026, North American brands spent an estimated $96 billion on location-based media placements, with digital out-of-home advertising and mobile geo-targeting accounting for the majority of spending growth. According to the LBMA report, location-based marketing is one of the fastest-growing areas of marketing expenditure. The study found that 52% of the marketing budget is now being spent on location-based media, with the North American market remaining in the lead with 59% of the overall budget. This increase in spending is being driven by the growing popularity of location-based services such as location-based discounts and offers, as well as the increasing accuracy of location-based targeting.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #15 – 28% of global companies are now making significant investments in location-based marketing

In 2026, enterprise spending on location intelligence software and geo-analytics tools rose to more than $31 billion globally, with logistics, retail, travel, and healthcare industries leading adoption rates. Lately, more and more companies are investing in technology. A report found that 28% of global companies are now making significant investments in location-based marketing, up from just 20% the year before. This trend is being driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and the increasing use of location-based services like Foursquare and Facebook Places.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #16 – 72% of companies consider location-based marketing to be important or very important

In 2026, a global survey of CMOs found that 78% now classify location intelligence as a “core revenue driver,” especially for omnichannel retail strategies and AI-driven customer journey mapping. According to a recent study, 72% of companies consider location-based marketing (LBM) to be important or very important. This is not surprising, as LBM can help to improve customer engagement, increase sales, and drive brand awareness. Additionally, LBM can be used to gather valuable data about consumer behavior.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #17 – location-based queries such as “where to buy” and “near me” have grown by 200% since 2017

In 2026, Google reported that “open now near me” searches on mobile devices increased by 310% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with food, pharmacy, beauty, and home services dominating local intent search traffic. According to Think with Google, location-based queries such as “where to buy” and “near me” have grown by 200% since 2017, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The pandemic has only served to accelerate this trend, with a 700% increase in location-focused queries since the start of the outbreak. As businesses continue to adapt to the new normal, location-based marketing is likely to become an increasingly important tool for driving foot traffic and online sales.

LOCATION-BASED MARKETING STATISTICS #18 – 74% of marketers agreed that location information is a key element in understanding why and how customers interact with businesses

In 2026, brands combining behavioral analytics with real-time location signals improved customer retention rates by an average of 24%, while predictive location modeling became standard in enterprise CRM systems. In a recent survey conducted by Cuebiq, 74 percent of respondents agreed that location information is a key element in understanding why and how customers interact with businesses. Location data can help businesses track customer behavior patterns and identify potential new markets. As location data becomes more widely available, it is likely that businesses will increasingly use it to their advantage.

Location-based Marketing Statistics – The Future of Location-based Marketing

As the world becomes increasingly digital, businesses are looking for new ways to reach their customers. One of the most effective tools in the modern marketer’s toolbox is location-based marketing (LBM). 

LBM takes advantage of the fact that most people now carry a GPS-enabled device with them at all times, allowing businesses to target ads and special offers to customers based on their current location. What’s more, LBM is highly effective: in a recent survey, 72 percent of companies said that they consider LBM to be important or very important, and location-based queries have grown by 200 percent since 2017. 

With the rapid growth of location-based queries, it’s clear that this type of marketing is here to stay. In the coming years, we can expect to see more businesses using location-based marketing to deliver customized experiences that will keep customers coming back for more.

What Is Location-Based Marketing and Why Is It Important for Brands?

Location-based marketing is a type of marketing that uses the location of a customer or potential customer to deliver marketing messages. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as using GPS tracking to determine a customer’s location, using geotagging of photos or other media, or simply asking customers where they are. The goal of location-based marketing is to use the knowledge of a customer’s location to better target them with relevant marketing messages.

One common use of location-based marketing is for retailers to target customers near their stores with special offers or coupons. For example, if a retailer knows that a customer is within a certain radius of their store, they may send them a text message with a special offer. Another use of location-based marketing is for restaurants to target customers who are near their restaurants with special offers or discounts.

Location-based marketing can also be used to improve customer service. For example, if a business knows that a customer is traveling in another country, they may be able to send them information about local attractions or events.

There are many reasons why location-based marketing is important for brands. One reason is that it allows businesses to target potential customers in specific geographic areas. This can be done by using GPS technology to track a customer’s location and then serving them relevant ads or messages based on their whereabouts. This can be especially useful for local businesses that want to attract customers in their immediate vicinity.

Another reason why location-based marketing is important for brands is that it helps create a more personalized experience for customers. By tracking a customer’s location, businesses can serve them content and ads that are relevant to their interests and needs. This can lead to a higher conversion rate, as customers are more likely to act on ads that are relevant to them.

Finally, location-based marketing is an effective way to increase brand awareness. By targeting potential customers in specific geographic areas, businesses can reach more people with their message and increase their chances of attracting new customers. Location-based marketing can also help businesses build stronger relationships with their current customers by providing them with relevant content and offers.

Location-based marketing is also very popular because it allows businesses to target potential customers in a specific area. By using GPS or other location-tracking technologies, businesses can send ads and messages to people who are near their stores or business. This allows businesses to reach more customers and promote their products and services more effectively. In addition, location-based marketing can also be used to track customer behavior and preferences. This information can then be used to improve the customer experience and create a more personalized experience for customers. Overall, location-based marketing is a powerful tool that can help businesses reach more customers and improve customer loyalty.

Sources:

1. Think with Google Location-Based Consumer Search Trends

2. Statista Location-Based Services Industry Statistics

3. Insider Intelligence Mobile Advertising and Geo-Targeting Research

4. Microsoft Consumer Data Sharing and Privacy Research

5. Adobe Analytics Personalized Mobile Experience Data

6. MarTech Series Location Intelligence Marketing Coverage

7. Cuebiq Consumer Location Data and Behavior Research