Category: “Just Nancy”

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11-27-2020 The Week in Review

The Role of Social Media on Your Website: If You're Not Using It- Lose It

Interesting things have happened last week and this week. Here is a brief synopsis to keep you up to date.

Google Ads Sneaks in Auto Update without Approval Features

You’ll want to be smart and watch your account. Google has rolled out a beta program that makes automatic account updates without your approval. These changes are not, as of now, even reflected in change history. You’ll want to make sure you know what is happening by reading the article linked below. If we manage your account, Google has provided us with a master control panel to turn on and off features as a Google Partner.  More info…

Unconventional Link Building Strategies

You may have actually fallen prey to some of these tactics yourself already, but that being said, some are savvy and could possibly be leveraged for your own needs. More info…

Google Guaranteed Starts to Be Visible in Maps Listings

We are just now starting to see the Google Guaranteed checkmark in Google Maps listings. This program is one Google rolled out earlier in the year and costs a business $50 a month after a certification and vetting process. These are actually upgraded Google My Business profiles. Google has stated that this is an experiment and may keep or may not keep this update as it rolls out more businesses. Right now, only certain business sectors are eligible for this feature. Some businesses are choosing instead to do local service ads instead of participating in the Google Guaranteed program. More info…

Why Your Website May Have Lost Search Placement

This article details 5 points as to why your website may have lost organic search placement. There is no ground breaking information here, but it is a good review.  The writer focuses on changes to competition, search algorithms, expectations, and your own website changes. Still a good read for this week. More info…

Duck, Duck, Go Search Engine is Trending

Duck, Duck, Go is considered a possible replacement for Google due to its privacy related focus. Although it does not have near the traffic Google does, searches on the platform are trending up. Of note is that Duck, Duck, Go shows Microsoft Advertising ads. This could be a huge consideration for some clients in the very near future. Learn more…

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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…

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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/

 

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COVID-19 Guide for Google Ads: When to Restart Your Google Ads Program

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

Our new series COVID-19 Guide for Google Ads starts today.  In this article we will discuss when is it time to restart Google Ads.

We recommend assuring that you are following your county and state guidelines first. If your state has not opened up businesses in your sector, it is not time to restart your Google Ads program yet.

That being said, if you feel that you may be losing traction against competitors that are opening, we have done for some clients “warm up” ad text. By adding “we will be open on such and such a date and are taking virtual consultations or pre-bookings”, you can start to drive your website traffic and meet demand.

We have found for many plastic surgery practices that there is so much pent-up demand that conversions are blowing through the roof when a Google Ads restart is done.

For other businesses, demand is not the issue, but rather cash flow to restart Google Ads really is the issue. In this case, we recommend chatting with your account manager to see if you can start with a smaller footprint and lower negotiated management fee.

For those that have not stopped Google Ads programs during the virus – like ecommerce and service-based businesses, activity on Google Ads is good. For some very good. Even pest control firms are reporting excellent lead generation these past months.

If you have worried about what to do with Google Ads and COVID-19, now’s the time to review what strategies your Google Ads Manager may suggest.

For our own clients who have paused programs during the virus, we encourage you to get with us for a custom plan on how to get back going with Google Ads. We know that we will be able to find a business-friendly way to assist you in driving traffic again and getting the leads you need to move forward from Google Ads exposure.