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/

 

Just Started Advertising on Google Ads? Tips on Determining Your Ad Budget

Just Started Advertising on Google Ads? Tips on Determining Your Ad Budget

When you start advertising on Google Ads, how do you determine your starting budget?

There is no mystery to deciding your budget for Google Ads. I use the Keyword Planner to determine the best budget for starting out. Here are my tips.

  1. Create a list of 10 two to three word phrases that you feel will help drive qualified traffic.
  2. Go to your Google Ads account or ask your Google Ads consultant to run the numbers for you, but putting each keyword in the Google Keyword Planner to check for traffic, competition, and typical bids.
  3. Plan on these potential bids being about 20% lower than the real auction for clicks when your account is set up.
  4. Take the average of these ten keyword’s click costs and then decide how many clicks you would like to have a day before your ads stop showing.
  5. Look at the number generated in step 4 and determine if you can realistically live with this number. Never get over your head in regards to a budget that is way beyond your means. It is not typical to get leads in Google Ads the day ads serve. For some account it can take as long as three weeks for optimization to start to see the first lead conversion.
  6. Remember a lead conversion or beneficial action you are recording as a conversion is not always a sale. Sometimes it is just the first step in the sales process.
  7. Understand that it takes time for a Google Ads account to become profitable. Google Ads is a dynamic auction with bids changing for each query and many factors determining if your ads show or not.
  8. Work with a professional Google Ads account manager or consultant like McCord Web Services to get the most out of Google Ads.

I invite you to visit our website to learn more about Google Ads and our Google Ads consulting and account management services.

Google Strives to Become Amazon

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

I listened with interest at the Google Marketing Live 2019 presentation this past week to how Google will try to compete head to head with Amazon. Clearly they are afraid they are losing too much market share.

Here’s what I learned:

Google will be making all products shown on its 8 properties shoppable. You will be able to buy items directly from ads on YouTube videos from within the search results and you will be able to choose to buy it through the Google Platform or from the business owner’s website.

Google will be providing customer service when you buy it from them and will allow for simple returns as well as a Google guarantee.

You will be able to use your Google payment profile to pay for merchandise. Additionally, shopping and buying features will soon be appearing in the Google Assistant which appears to have Alexa firmly in its sight.

Google will even be making images found in the image search into shoppable ads.  Clearly from this announcement, and very tight integration of selling products into all Google properties, Google does not want to lose out to Amazon on being the premier shopping and buying platform.

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