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1-29-21 What We Are Watching This Week

McCord Web Services is a Google Partner and a Certified Google Ads Professional

There are just a few new things in the world of Google that we are watching this week.

Rich Snippet Changes

Google has a new validation tool for Rich Snippets you may be using on your website. You’ll want to click in and check your code in the new validation tool as Google is stating that they will drop your snippets indexing in search if you do not make updates to have the code be valid. Read the full detailed article here.

Local Service Ads and the Impact on Standard Google Ads Campaigns

In 2020 Google started testing Local Service Ads for lawyers. A number of firms have done research on how using both Google Ads and Local Service Ads impacts Google Ads performance negatively.

After review of the data, it appears that Local Service Ads will be shown preferentially by Google and are typically clicked on more by users due to the richness of the interface and ad appearance. CTR and CPA are negatively impacted in Google Ads when the client is using both programs.

If you are using Local Service Ads AND Google Ads (standard professional version), you will want to dive in and read the full article.

Google is Continuing to Test New Google My Business Features and Components

Nancy McCord and Bandit

If you have not set up and regularly update your Google My Business page, now is the time to start getting serious about it. Google considers the Google My Business page important and is currently testing a number of features and enhancements.

We encourage you to read this article – what is of most value is the images that show several of these new enhancements actually from searches and how Google is handling services, reviews, and the addition of Google My Business Posts, Events, and Special Offers in Google Maps listings.

We have not been able to duplicate these searches to see the results ourselves, but we do know that when Google tests layouts and features it usually is about getting ready to rollout a wider test.

What is important to know is that if Google considers Google My Business important, so should you.

Of late other items that Google has tested in Google My Business are local service ads, a Google Guaranteed money back feature, and Google Verified – for vetted businesses.

With Google considering that the local experience and ability to find services “near me” is crucial to relevancy, Google My Business is just one part of the equation for web visibility and success in Google organic listings.

11-13-20 The Week in Review

Expect the unexpected.

These are the interesting nuggets of information I have found from my travels around the web for this week.

Google Ads Allows More Advertisers into Data-Driven Attribution
Data-Driven Attribution is the best attribution type for identifying the click path to conversion. Previously an advertiser had to have 500 conversions in a 30 day period to qualify. Now Google has dropped that number to 300. More info…


Google Analytics 4 Now Available
Google Analytics can now do more. You’ll have to set up a new property in your existing Google Analytics account to take advantage of all the new features. We are doing testing right now, but it looks like there are more features for tracking activity. More info…


May 21, 2021 Google Launches Page Experience Algorithm Update
You’ll see in the search results in May new icons and updated rankings in the index based on page experience. Google will be using the Web Core Vitals in the Google Search Console. Of important note to rankings will be page speed, mobile friendliness, and the use of https – as a few of note. More info…


Know More About the CPRA or the California Privacy Rights Act
Similar to the privacy rights act for the European Union, California has enacted a privacy and information control measure all website owners should be aware of. More info…


Is there a new Google Algorithm in Rollout?
Search engine watchers can’t agree is an update at play or not. Ready what the chatter says. More info…

11-6-20 Just Nancy The Week in Review

Be in the Know on Microsoft Advertising

This is a new feature that we will use on Fridays to let you know what has happened in the world of Google and been posted on authoritative sources to help you stay informed this week.

Short Videos in Search Carousels
Google is testing short YouTube videos in the search results as a carousel. Not visible for all queries. A good reason to increase video presence on your website.
More info
Google’s New Indexing Algorithm
Interesting updates to how Google is indexing a website by now using passages on a page although they still index the full page. Google is getting better in delivering content based on a search query. This is a future focused change that may have a good impact for small websites.
More info
New Google Analytics
Google is rolling out a new version of Google Analytics. You will want to assure that Simon has the most recent version of the code installed in your website code to take advantage of future enhancements.  It is called Google Analytics 4.
More into
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9744165 – Follow this for instructions.
 
Recap for Google Search Improvements 
A recap on the Google blog of recent improvements. See sections on video and passages as these are new and big news for Google indexing.
More info
Google Limits the Ability to see Search Queries in Google Ads
Under the guise of privacy, Google is limiting the ability to see the actual search queries that trigger ads. Google has advised that in the months to come, it will limit the keywords shown.  This action makes it harder to use negative keywords to sculpt the list and keep the program targeted.
More info
https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-to-limit-search-terms-reporting-citing-privacy-340137
Google Changes Google My Business Categories by Month
Google is changing the categories in Google My Business over time. As you must select set categories for which you classify how your business is shown, this means you should periodically check to see what you are able to and are listing for.
More info
https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-my-business-category-changes/
Google Screened
Google has introduced a new program for select service sectors called Google Screened which is tied to a Google My Business page and may be tied to local service ads which are managed through a portal that is tied to Google My Business.
This program has a $50 monthly cost and is and right now is a pay for conversion program but may move to pay per click in the near future.
To get screened, the business owner must seek Google approval and send company creation documents and be vetted. This is a new initiative and may have benefits for certain types of local businesses that desire to use highly automated keyword creation and automated ad serving features like the old AdWords Express.
More info
https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-my-business-category-changes/