Internet search leader Google Inc. on Thursday began offering marketers more features for local advertising, allowing them to add logos and business information to their listings on a Google map.

Local advertising on the Internet is expected to be a prime driver of growth in the sector.

The new features allow an advertiser to insert a business logo or picture in a balloon that pops up next to its location on the Google map, as well as provide additional information in several lines of text, such as a phone number of business description.

It can be used by any advertiser targeting a local market, from a neighborhood plumber to the closest restaurant of a national fast-food chain.

Since we launched maps last year, advertisers have come to us asking for more control on (Google) local, Dominic Preuss, product manager of local advertising at Google, told Reuters. There has been really strong demand for this.