Ad Platform Guide
Google Ads ZIP lists and radius targeting
ZIP lists, radius targeting, paste batches, and Presence vs interest.
What Google Ads actually accepts
Google Ads location targeting takes postal codes, cities, and proximity (radius) targets — not a drawn polygon you upload. ZipFencer turns an address into a ZIP list you paste or import as CSV.
The live demo is radius only (one pin, no signup). Donut and bullseye lists are Starter and Pro. Custom polygon zones are Pro. There is no Agency SKU — agencies and freelance buyers use the same Starter or Pro plans as in-house teams.
Paste batches, then the campaign cap
Bulk add accepts 1,000 locations per paste (Google Ads Help). The campaign cap is 10,500 location targets total — targeted plus excluded, including up to 500 proximity. Repeat the paste for remaining batches; Starter and Pro CSV export splits lists automatically.
Presence vs interest
The default Presence or interest option can show ads to people outside your ZIPs who Google thinks are interested in the area. Switch Location options to Presence if you only want people physically in (or regularly in) those ZIPs.
Census ZCTA is not Google's ZIP reach
ZipFencer lists use US Census ZCTA polygons. Google Ads still applies its own interpretation around each ZIP, so live reach can be slightly wider than the literal ZCTA shape. Treat the list as a strong starting boundary, not a guarantee of identical polygons.
Saved searches
Named searches save locally on Free and Starter (this browser/device). Cloud sync of history and polygon zones is Pro. Shareable campaign links are Starter and Pro.
Related resource
US-only campaign? Grab the country exclusion list
One-click copy of every country outside the United States — paste the full list in a single bulk action.
Where to find it in the UI
Step-by-step: ZipFencer → Google Ads
- 1
Open the live demo (no signup) or sign in and go to the builder.
- 2
Drop a pin and set a radius. The demo is radius-only; donut and bullseye lists need Starter or Pro. Custom polygons are Pro.
- 3
Copy the ZIP list (demo export is truncated and watermarked) or download Google Ads Editor CSV on Starter and Pro.
- 4
In Google Ads: Campaign → Settings → Locations → Advanced search → Bulk locations. Paste up to 1,000 ZIPs; repeat for remaining batches.
- 5
Set Location options to Presence if you only want people in those ZIPs. Add exclusion ZIPs the same way for areas you do not serve.
Build the list
Build a Google Ads ZIP list
This page is the Ads UI HowTo. Use the ZIP-list page to try the live demo (radius now; donut and bullseye on Starter and Pro).
Gotchas to avoid
- Census ZCTA polygons are not identical to Google ZIP reach — Google may expand each ZIP slightly beyond the ZCTA shape.
- Bulk paste rejects the entire batch if any single ZIP is invalid. Validate before submitting.
- Default 'Presence or interest' can show ads to people outside the ZIP list. Switch to Presence for people physically in those ZIPs.
- Smart Bidding can override weak geo signals — exclusions are more reliable than includes for tight control.
Frequently asked questions
Other platforms
Build your Google Ads ZIP list in 60 seconds
Try the live demo with no signup, or open the builder to export a CSV on Starter & Pro that drops right into Google Ads.