Archive for the ‘seo news’ Category
Thursday, June 15th, 2023
Google’s new Search Generative Experience, which began rolling out a few weeks ago, now can use Google Business Profile data to help it create its AI-generated snapshot answer. SGE also uses data “from the reviews, photos and Business Profile details that people have submitted to Google for more than 200 million places in the real world,” Google wrote.
What it looks like. Here is a video showing how Google pulls reviews and photo data from Google Business Profiles and displays them in the AI-generated snapshot answer in the new Search Generative Experience.
I was even able to replicate it for my own Google Business listing for my company. I asked [who is RustyBrick], and it returns photos directly from my Google Business Profile listing. The images below the text pull directly from the photos I uploaded to my Business Profile in Google.
Here are more examples I found on Twitter of this in action:
Yep, I'm seeing SGE pull in Google reviews and photos from Business Profiles. If you focus on travel (or local in general), a big heads-up to check out the new SGE functionality just announced: pic.twitter.com/TQimETEDRX
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) June 14, 2023
What Google said. Google wrote:
“We’ve added new capabilities to SGE for local and travel searches, so if you ask detailed questions about a place or destination in Search, you’ll see an AI-powered snapshot that brings together the most helpful information available — not only from across the web, but also from the reviews, photos and Business Profile details that people have submitted to Google for more than 200 million places in the real world. And with all these links and resources right at your fingertips, it’s easy to dive deeper on relevant sites and hear perspectives from a wide range of creators.
For example, you might ask if a certain restaurant is good for large groups or whether they’re vegetarian-friendly. Or maybe you want to know when people recommend visiting a particular landmark, so you can avoid the crowds. With this improved experience in SGE, you’ll get useful insights to guide you along the way, so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the plans you’ve made.”
Why we care. This gives you yet another reason, if you didn’t have enough reasons, to ensure your photos on your Google Business Profile listings are complete, good quality and representative of what your customers and prospects want to see of your business and organization. Also, ensuring you have good reviews, since SGE can use those, is also important.
This also shows that Google is ready and able to use more and more data sources it has at its disposal within its SGE AI-generates snapshots.
The post Google SGE now uses photos and reviews from Google Business Profile listings appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Courtesy of Search Engine Land: News & Info About SEO, PPC, SEM, Search Engines & Search Marketing
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Google Marketing Live 2023 made it clear that AI is going to change the role of digital marketing in a big way. At SMX Advanced, Julia Friedman, owner of PPC consultancy Neptune Moon, discussed how advertisers can both prepare for and thrive in the AI revolution, with fellow industry experts:
- Gil Gildner, co-founder of PPC agency Disco Sloth
- Julia Vyse, West Coast digital director for iProspect Canada
- Melissa Liu, associate director of California ad agency RPA.
The AI revolution has arrived – with huge perks!
The SMX panel was in agreement that AI is going to make life easier for digital marketers in many ways. Gill noted that smaller businesses in particular that perhaps do not have the budget to hire human contractors would benefit from using AI tools.
Liu also pointed out that AI will relieve advertisers from time-consuming tasks such as generating ad copy. However, she stressed that it was important for marketers to not become complacent: “As a search marketers, I now need to think about how I can shift my role to be more strategic. I also need to think about what new skills I need to learn to better myself.”
The role of digital marketers is changing
All three guest speakers as well as the panel’s host were in agreement that the role of PPC advertisers is evolving – and that it is a “concern” for the industry. Explaining how his agency is going to adapt to the AI revolution, Gill said:
- “We’re going to go super strategic. It’s inevitable that it soon wont matter as much what buttons we’re clicking. There will be a lot of strategy and tactics and, honestly, client education and shepherding that we’re going to have to do. It’s inevitable that our roles are going to change and it will be important to stay on top of that.”
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Should marketers question their optimism around AI?
Vyse was hugely excited about the changes Google discussed for digital marketers. She also spoke about her appreciation for being told in advance about how the industry would be evolving.
- “It’s nice to get a bit of a head up as opposed to have something dropped on us in the middle of the year,” she joked.
However, Vyse added that while AI is going to help advertisers, the industry should also prepare itself for unexpected issues.
- “There’s a lot of optimism around AI, but perhaps that’s something we should question,” she added.
New AI tools will help ’smaller brands’
Google Marketing Live unveiled a number of new tools for digital marketers, such as Product Studio, which Gill noted would be hugely beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses:
- “Some smaller brands don’t have the budget to do professional photoshoots for every single product – even though it’s massively valuable. We see an uplift every time we have good media for a client whether it’s a TV commercial or product listing.
- “So Product Studio is huge for e-commerce agencies. It will allow smaller brands to have better creative control. I don’t think it’ll help bigger brands that much but definitely mid size to smaller brands.”
Concerns around AI generated content
After Google unveiled new tools to help marketers write ad copy, Liu admitted she was excited but keen to learn what the editorial quality would be.
- “Writing ad copy require a deep understanding of your customer and what your unique selling position is. I’m curious to see if AI will give me and my competitors similar copy or will AI copy be tailored to my unique brand?” she said.
Liu voiced her concerns over the loss of originality and a brand’s tone of voice if the industry relies too heavily on AI-generated copy. However, she stressed that it will fall on the shoulders of digital advertisers to to ensure this problem doesn’t impact their brands. Explaining how she intends to address this issue, she said:
- “One idea that resonates is quality of input and how I, as a search marketer, can better input into the system to differentiate myself against my competitors. Yes, our roles are changing, but how do we put that human touch to best guide AI to perform better for us?”
Issues around AI imagery
Liu was also excited about Google’s launch of AI tools that can create unique images. However, when she was watching the demonstration of the search engine’s new tools, she had some concerns:
- “There were automatically generated images using pictures taken from your website as well as stock photos. One concern I have is that if me and my competitor have very similar product offerings and want to communicate the same benefits, will AI give us similar stock images? Because that will pose a problem,” Liu said.
Exciting news for retail – not so much for finance
For digital marketers working on retail campaigns, Vyse pointed out that the AI generative properties and front-end user experience changes unveiled by Google are exciting news. She said:
- “I work with a lot of retail businesses and restaurants, so I’m interested in footfall traffic, and how people interact with their map. When you’re experiencing what is to get directions and go somewhere, such as a retailer who I support, I’m really interested in what that’s going to look like for customers.”
Discussing the new backend generative features, Vyse added:
- “All the stuff they’re doing to change how we build and measure campaigns is going to be great and not so great. For my retailers and restaurant clients, it’s going to be fantastic. Everything is going to be much simpler with a lot more thought leadership and strategy from us as opposed to button pressing. But on the other hand, for anyone who works in a highly regulated industry like finance, there might be some challenges.”
Searchers are changing their behaviours
After watching the Google Marketing Live discussion, Liu noted how the way searches are conducted online have also changed dramatically.
In 2011, she noted that consumers consulted 10 or more sources before making a purchases. Fast-forward to 2023, and people tend to consult just five sources online.
- “In a culture where we’re research obsessed, I’m surprised it’s dropped so much. I wonder if it’s because people are getting information fatigue of if we’re just getting much better at researching and so less sources are needed to make that decision. With AI becoming an integral part of our lives, I’m curious to see if that number will change in the next couple of years,” Liu said.
What’s next for Google Ads?
Gil said he expects the industry to change significantly in the near future:
- “I wouldn’t be surprised if Google Ads is entirely different in a year or two. There are always trends, but I was surprised at seeing all the tools Google is launching. I think it may actually be changing this time.”
Although he is anticipating huge changes to the industry, Gill stressed that as long as the experience is still good for both the searcher and the client, then the AI revolution will be positive. But there will undoubtedly be teething issues and the industry will simply need to adapt.
The post Google Marketing Live 2023: Reactions from the experts appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Courtesy of Search Engine Land: News & Info About SEO, PPC, SEM, Search Engines & Search Marketing
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Twitter is going to start paying its verified content creators for adverts served in their replies over the next few weeks. Elon Musk, who has owned the social networking site since October 2022, announced that the first block payment totals $5 million – however, he has set some conditions.
What’s new: Under Musk’s new rules, content creators will receive cash for ads in their replies, but only if they are verified. In addition, the billionaire added “only ads served to verified users count”.
Why we care: This news means that advertisers will have another potential stream of revenue on Twitter.
Why now? Musk’s announcement comes as advertising guru Linda Yaccarino prepares to join Twitter as its new CEO. It is hoped that her leadership will help restore trust in the platform after ad revenue plummeted following some of Musk’s restructuring decisions – including laying off almost half of Twitter’s 7,50-strong workforce.
Prompting concern around ad placement, ad spend took a huge hit and was down roughly 20% year on year, according to research from Sensor Tower and Insider Intelligence.
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What has Twitter said? Musk wrote on Twitter:
- “In a few weeks, X/Twitter will start paying creators for ads served in their replies. First block payment totals $5M. Note, the creator must be verified and only ads served to verified users count.”
In March, Musk opened up about his high hopes for the future of Twitter’s ad sales despite its recent challenges. Taking to Twitter, he revealed his target of increasing the platform’s current 5 to 6 cents per hour of user attention to 15 or more cents. The billionaire explained he aims to achieve this through more relevant and timely ads.
Further details are expected to follow shortly.
Timeline:
- October 2022 – Musk buys Twitter for approximately $44 billion after months of negotiations.
- October 2022 – A number of Twitter’s top bosses are reportedly laid off, including CEO Parag Agrawal, chief financial officer Ned Segal, chief legal officer Vijaya Gadde and general counsel Sam Edgett.
- November 2022 – Musk begins the biggest lay-off of staff in Twitter’s history by initiating talks to axe almost half of its staff around the globe.
- November 2022 – Twitter turns it blue tick verification system into a paid for service at a cost of $8 per month. Public figures from Beyonce to Cristian Ronaldo lose their blue ticks over night, resulting in a surge of fake profiles impersonating public figures.
- February 2023 – Post frequency dives by 20% on Twitter.
- April 2023 – Twitter is dropped from Microsoft’s Ad platform.
- April 2023 – Musk enforces mandatory verification on advertisers.
- May 2023 – Linda Yaccarino is announced as the new CEO of Twitter.
- June 2023 – Twitter’s US ad revenue drop 59%.
- June 2023 – Musk announced Twitter will begin paying verified content creators for ads served in their replies.
The post Twitter will start paying verified content creators in coming weeks, says Elon Musk appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Courtesy of Search Engine Land: News & Info About SEO, PPC, SEM, Search Engines & Search Marketing
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Google has updated its form to submit search spam to the Google Search team. The types of spam you can submit with this form include spam, paid links, malicious behavior, low quality, and other search quality issues, Google said.
Plus, Google added the ability to submit complaints in bulk.
The new form. Google said it is “expanding the scope of user feedback we want to collect,” to include more types of feedback. “Now, you can report spam, paid links, malicious behavior, low quality, and other search quality issues, all in one improved form,” Google added.
Bulk submission. Google also added the ability to submit feedback in bulk with a bulk submission feature. Google said you “can submit up to five pages that violate the same policy in one report.”
What it looks like. Here is a screenshot from Google:
More details. The form will also give you feedback and information that links to its help documentation. It will let you pick the main category and then subcategory, to help you submit the feedback to the right department. Plus, it will disregard identical reports submitted by the same user to prevent spam.
Google will also send you a confirmation email after you submit the form. The email contains help links to external resources that cover our quality policy and our forum for personalized support, Google added.
Why we care. Sometimes you find spammy or invalid information in Google Search. If you want to report those issues, you can using this new form. The form can be accessed over here.
The post Google releases new search spam report form appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Courtesy of Search Engine Land: News & Info About SEO, PPC, SEM, Search Engines & Search Marketing
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Google may be forced to sell part of its ad business after being charged with violating the European Union’s antitrust laws. Following a lengthy investigation, the European Commission suggested that “mandatory divestment” is the only way the search engine can resolve the issue.
Why we care: If Google does sell part of its ad business, it could mark the start of a new digital marketing era with a more competitive market and fairer pricing. This could potentially lead to more transparency, greater campaign control for advertisers and increased innovation, which could prompt the creation of new ad tools.
What’s happening: The European Commission conducted a report into the operation of Google Ads and found that the search engine typically tends to favor its own ads, causing difficulties for competing providers.
When discussing potential solutions, the commission said that behavioral improvements would not be enough to rectify the matter. Instead, it has recommended that the search giant sells off part of its business.
What has Google said? Google released a statement today criticizing the commission’s findings. Dan Taylor, Vice President of Google Ads, wrote:
“The Statement of Objections from the European Commission sets out claims that are not new and relate to a narrow part of our advertising business. It fails to recognize how advanced advertising technology helps merchants reach customers and grow their businesses — while lowering costs and expanding choices for consumers.
“Ad tech is fiercely competitive and constantly evolving. We compete with hundreds of companies in this space, including household names like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta as well as specialized advertising technology companies like Criteo, The Trade Desk, and many others. Even media companies and retailers now offer competing advertising technologies.
“The digital advertising market enjoys competitive pricing, lively innovation, and robust competition — helping advertisers, publishers, and consumers. We look forward to showing how our ad tech tools help make the internet open, and accessible — and how breaking them would diminish the availability of free, ad-supported content that benefits everyone.”
Has this happened before? Earlier this year, nine U.S. states (Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Washington, and West Virginia), joined forces to bring a similar lawsuit against Google.
The states accused the search engine’s ad business of violating antitrust regulations. To rectify the matter, they urged Google to break up its Ad Manager suite, claiming it was exploiting its online advertising dominance. Google denied the claims and asked for the case to be dismissed.
In 2020, Google was also accused of breaching antitrust laws again in order to sustain its position as the leading search engine. This case is set for trial in September.
Deeper dive: You can read Google’s full response to the European Commission announcement about its advertising technology.
The post Google Ad business faces breakup after being charged with EU antitrust violations appeared first on Search Engine Land.
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Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
Google Merchant Center is testing a ‘checkout’ pilot that could give you an extra opportunity to bring customers to your website.
The Google Merchant Center team has sent out an email alerting merchants about this pilot and described it:
- “Give ready-to-buy customers the option to land directly in your checkout. A. new pilot from Google has helped increase conversions and sales for participating merchants.”
To get into the trial, you have to complete a form.
Once you’re in the pilot, the ‘checkout’ CTA will appear next to the ‘visit site’ link on free product listings.
Why we care: This new feature could help create a more seamless shopping experience for customers and potentially bring more traffic to brand websites.
How does it work? To take part in the checkout pilot for your free listing, simply log into Merchant Center, click on Settings and add your checkout landing page link where you want shoppers to land. You will have the option to either add one dynamic URL template for their entire brand, or they will be able to add a unique checkout link for every individual product in the feed.
How to set up your URL template: Advertisers must ensure that the URL template they wish to use has placeholder product data parameters for specifying the product ID as well as any other parameters. This is to make sure that customers are taken to the right checkout page. Currently, Google can support a maximum of five parameters within a URL template.
Essential placeholder parameter requirements by Google:
- ID – The ID attribute associated with the offer. This will be substituted with the [id] attribute given in the feed for the offer.
Optional placeholder parameter requirements by Google:
- Size – The size attribute associated with the offer. This will be substituted with the [size] attribute provided in the feed for the offer.
- Color – The color attribute associated with the offer. This will be substituted with the [color] attribute provided in the feed for the offer.
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What has Google said? The search engine is encouraging advertisers to ensure that customers being taken to their website from Google are given the best possible user experience. Although it isn’t essential, Google is recommending you consider:
- Supporting a smooth transition for checkout with purchase flows designed for customers coming directly from Google.
- Communicating clearly so that customers can easily verify who they’re purchasing from, as well as what they’re buying and how much it’s going to cost them.
The post Google trials new CTA that takes customers directly to your website appeared first on Search Engine Land.
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Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
TikTok is testing visual search in Shop, its ecommerce solution. Users can take a photo or upload an image to find and buy similar products.
Why we care. TikTok has been moving more into ecommerce lately, with a goal of generating $20 billion in sales. While this feature seems promising, it remains to be seen whether it will prove to have enough ROI for ecommerce brands to care.
What is TikTok Shop. TikTok Shop, which launched in beta in April, is an ecommerce solution designed to boost sales and brand growth. It allows users to discover and purchase products from their favorite creators and brands in a single, smooth experience.
How it works. A user clicks on the camera icon in the search bar. On the camera, TikTok instructs users: “Take a photo or upload an image to find similar products.”
The test. It is limited and only being tested in non-U.S. markets.
But. TikTok Shop is performing “worse than other TikTok channels and elsewhere,” AdWeek reported. Instagram moved into ecommerce but ultimately cut back on its shopping features last year. It will be worth watching to see whether TikTok figures this out or follows a similar fate.
The post TikTok Shop tests visual search feature appeared first on Search Engine Land.
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Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
QR codes have become a powerful tool for driving user engagement and seamless experiences. But are you harnessing their full potential? During this webinar, we’ll dive into the art of designing QR codes to ensure maximum scanning efficiency. Learn how to create visually captivating codes that entice users and make your app stand out from the competition.
QR marketing expert, Scott Allan, Chief Marketing and Solutions Officer at URLgenius, will guide you through the potential pitfalls to avoid, ensuring your QR codes lead to tangible results.
Register and attend “Supercharge Your Customer Experience with the Power of QR Codes,” presented by URLgenius.
Click here to view more Search Engine Land webinars.
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Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
In today’s competitive landscape, marketing agencies must constantly seek innovative ways to deliver exceptional value to their clients. Smart agencies understand the crucial role that online reputation and customer feedback play in achieving success.
Whether your clients are grappling with negative reviews, a scarcity of reviews, or already boast a strong online presence, this guide is your blueprint for effectively tackling, generating, managing, and harnessing customer reviews in the long run.
Before you can offer review management — and charge for this service — you may have to get clients to see why customer reviews matter. This guide will show you:
- 3 reasons why customer reviews matter
- How to get more reviews – and make them count
- How to respond to a negative review
Don’t miss out on this essential resource! Visit Digital Marketing Depot to download the Marketing Agency’s Guide to Review Management from GatherUp.
The post The power of customer reviews: a comprehensive guide for agencies appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Courtesy of Search Engine Land: News & Info About SEO, PPC, SEM, Search Engines & Search Marketing
Monday, June 12th, 2023
Searching for advanced, actionable tactics to take advantage of generative AI, transition to GA4, and drive more traffic, leads, and conversions? Search no more.
Join us online – tomorrow and Wednesday, June 13-14 – for SMX Advanced – the only conference designed by advanced search marketers for search marketers.
(Psst… Can’t attend live? Instant on-demand access is included for free, so you can train when it fits your schedule!)
Your FREE All Access pass unlocks nearly 70 tactic-rich sessions, Overtime live Q&As, platform demos, and networking meetups that explore the most sophisticated SEO and PPC topics including ChatGPT, GA4, E-E-A-T, RSAs, PMax, automated bidding, future Google algorithm updates, and much more.
Each day kicks off with exclusive keynotes from Google and Microsoft exploring generative and conversational AI – and what it all means for search marketers like you.
Bonus: Join Barry Schwartz and Greg Sterling on Day 2 for a just-announced live demo of the new Bing and Google Search Generative Experience! Bring your queries to this highly-engaging demo, and Barry and Greg will input them live.
After two intense days of training with some of the smartest search marketers on the planet, you’ll be ready to implement advanced, actionable tactics that give you a serious edge over the competition. No airfare. No expense reports. No time out of the office.
What are you waiting for? Secure your free All Access pass now and join us this week at SMX Advanced. The show kicks off TOMORROW at 11:00am ET… don’t miss out. Secure your free All Access pass now!
Psst… Think you have what it takes to be an “award-winning” search marketer? Enter the 2023 Search Engine Land Awards for your chance to boost team morale, attract new business, and stand apart from the competition!
The post Expert-level training, Q&A, networking – online this week at SMX Advanced appeared first on Search Engine Land.
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(@lilyraynyc) June 6, 2023
