Google is testing a new messaging feature in their Home Service ads. When doing a search for a business query that triggers the Home Services ad block, there is a new messaging icon, allowing potential customers to message the business. Google does seem to be ensuring that the feature isn’t being abused and that the […]
Google AdWords Testing 8 Ads in Search Results with 4 on Bottom
Google is doing a test right now which ups the number of ads on the search results page from 7 ads up to 8 ads, changing the bottom set of three ads to a set of four instead. This is good news for advertisers who were concerned about the loss of the sidebar ad positions, […]
Google’s New Jobs Portal Testing in Search Results
Google is testing out a new jobs portal to make it easier for searchers to find active job listings directly from the search results. It shows a box, similar to a box style result we have seen added to the search results, but this time it features a job listings interface. Dan Shure spotted […]
Google Shows “Highly Rated” in Hotel Listings in Search Results
Google has just raised the reviews bar for hotel listings. Google is testing a new “highly rated” addition to some hotel listings in the search results, which adds the highly rated note along with a thumbs up symbol. Sergey Alakov spotted the highly rated test and shared these screenshots of it. The threshold for earning the […]
Google Testing New Local Reviews Tab in Knowledge Panel
Google is testing a new format to showcase reviews in the local knowledge panel on mobile. Instead of the usual format, Google is testing placing the reviews in its own tab instead. Here is what it looks like, courtesy of Sergey Alakov who spotted the test. Sergey Alakov also created an image showing a user […]
Time for Google Processing Removed URLs from Disavow Files
SEOs know all about the time delay when it comes to processing a disavow file. But what about when you remove URLs from a disavow file and want them to contribute to your PageRank once again? How long does this process take? Gary Illyes says there is some lag with the process, but for most, […]
Publishers Reporting Huge Drop in AMP Traffic in Google Analytics
[Updates at bottom] If you are seeing a huge drop in AMP traffic on your sites, you are not alone. Many publishers are seeing a similar drop across all of their properties. The issue seems to have started around midnight for many publishers. Working with a publisher with a large amount of AMP traffic, we […]
Google: 15% of Searches Every Day Are Still New
For many years, Googlers have referred to a statistic regarding searches, stating that 15% of all searches done are for queries never seen by Google before. And in Google’s new blog post about search algos and updates, they state that they still see 15% of search queries as being new. From their blog post: There are […]
Google Updates Feedback Form for Featured Snippets & Autocomplete
Google has updated the feedback forms that users use to submit feedback for both featured snippets and autocomplete. When you view a featured snippet you feel is wrong or inappropriate, there is the usual feedback link, but the updated form has many more options to allow searchers to give more detailed feedback. Here is what […]
Google Testing Hotel Rates Carousel in Search Results
Another day, another test from Google in their sponsored hotel rates listings. Now Google is testing a carousel of rates from various sources within the hotel knowledge panel. Sergey Alakov spotted the latest test. Here is what it looks like: The carousel scrolls sideways through the various rate offers from sponsors. The carousel version is […]