How to Change Digital Signage Content Based on Location?

Learn how to set up geo-location zones in EasySignage so a screen switches playlists automatically as it moves between areas.

How does location-based content work?

You draw zones on a map, assign a playlist to each zone, and the screen plays the playlist for whichever zone it is currently in. Content switches automatically as the screen moves, with no one publishing anything.

This suits screens that travel: vehicles, delivery fleets, mobile advertising trailers, and equipment that moves between sites. The playlists live inside a channel, and each playlist in that channel is tied to a zone.

 

What do I need to set up first?

Six things, in order:

  • Location services enabled on the device with precise location granted
  • Zones drawn on the map
  • Playlists created for each area
  • A channel containing those playlists
  • Zones assigned to the playlists in that channel
  • The channel published to the screen, with screen location enabled

 

How do I create a zone?

  • Go to the PLAYLISTS page
  • Click the CHANNELS tab
  • Click the ZONES tab under Channels
  • Click ADD ZONE
  • Enter a zone name and click ADD
  • Search the map for the region and zoom in or out as needed
  • Click on the map to set a start point, move the mouse to draw the boundary, then return to the start point to close the shape
  • Click SAVE

A zone is a polygon you draw by hand, so trace the actual area you care about rather than a rough box. Add as many zones as you need.

 

  • Create your playlists in the HORIZONTAL or VERTICAL tab, matching your screen orientation
  • Return to the CHANNELS tab and create a channel
  • Click the + to add your playlists to the channel
  • Click the location icon next to each playlist
  • Select the zone name to restrict that playlist to that area
  • Click CLOSE

 

How do I publish it to a screen?

  • Go to the SCREENS page
  • Click the media source type next to the screen name and select Channels
  • Choose the channel and click Publish
  • In the Screen Location column, click SET LOCATION
  • Tick Enable auto-update location using the device’s GPS and click UPDATE LOCATION

From the dashboard, click SCREEN’S LOCATIONS to watch the screen move on the map. When it enters a defined zone, the content switches to that zone’s playlist.

 

Why is my content not switching?

Location data is the usual culprit. Check that precise location is granted to the app, that the device is in high accuracy mode, and that auto-update location is enabled for that screen. Then confirm the screen’s position on the dashboard map actually falls inside the polygon you drew, since a zone traced slightly off can leave a stationary screen just outside it.