Search Engine Land

<p>Marketers will need to conduct A/B testing in Google Analytics 4 moving forward.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/reminder-google-optimize-sunsets-432537">Reminder – Google Optimize sunsets this weekend</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


<p>Google Optimize will not be available after Sept. 30.</p>



<p>This means you will no longer be able to create or edit experiments, personalizations, or view experiment reports after this date.</p>



<p>However, you will still be able to run A/B tests in <a href="https://searchengineland.com/library/platforms/google/google-analytics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Analytics 4</a>. </p>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> Moving forward, you will need to use GA4 to conduct A/B testing and optimize your website or app&#8217;s user experience. This may prove problematic for some marketers as many are still <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-analytics-4-we-hate-428942" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grappling with the navigation</a> of the new analytics platform following the sunset of <a href="https://searchengineland.com/r-i-p-ua-search-engine-land-property-has-stopped-processing-data-431788" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Universal Analytics</a>.  </p>



<p><strong>Why is Google Optimize sunsetting? </strong>Google explained that although Optimize is a longstanding product, the platform does not have features and services that customers need for experimentation testing. The search engine therefore decided to invest in solutions that will be more effective for customers instead.</p>



<p><strong>Access your data. </strong>You can still access your data. Be sure to download it from the Optimize user interface before September 30.</p>



<p><strong>Testing in GA4.</strong> Google has been working on integrations with the following A/B testing providers:</p>



<ul>
<li>AB Tasty</li>



<li>Optimizely</li>



<li>VWO</li>
</ul>



<p>The search engine is making its APIs publicly available so that anyone can integrate their A/B testing tool with GA4 in the coming months.</p>



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<p></p>



<p><strong>What has Google said? </strong>A Google spokesperson said in a statement:</p>



<ul>
<li>"We launched Google Optimize over 5 years ago to enable businesses of all sizes to easily test and improve your user experiences." </li>



<li>"We remain committed to enabling businesses of all sizes to improve your user experiences and are investing in third-party A/B testing integrations for Google Analytics 4."</li>



<li>"Your experiments and personalizations can continue to run until Sept. 30 Any experiments and personalizations still active on that date will end"</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Dig deeper. </strong>Read Google's <a href="https://support.google.com/optimize/answer/12979939?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> in full for more information.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/reminder-google-optimize-sunsets-432537">Reminder – Google Optimize sunsets this weekend</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>

Google Optimize will not be available after Sept. 30.
This means you will no longer be able to create or edit experiments, personalizations, or view experiment reports after this date.
However, you will still be able to run A/B tests in Google Analytics 4. 
Why we care. Moving forward, you will need to use GA4 to conduct A/B testing and optimize your website or app’s user experience. This may prove problematic for some marketers as many are still grappling with the navigation of the new analytics platform following the sunset of Universal Analytics.  
Why is Google Optimize sunsetting? Google explained that although Optimize is a longstanding product, the platform does not have features and services that customers need for experimentation testing. The search engine therefore decided to invest in solutions that will be more effective for customers instead.
Access your data. You can still access your data. Be sure to download it from the Optimize user interface before September 30.
Testing in GA4. Google has been working on integrations with the following A/B testing providers:
AB Tasty
Optimizely
VWO
The search engine is making its APIs publicly available so that anyone can integrate their A/B testing tool with GA4 in the coming months.
Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.
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What has Google said? A Google spokesperson said in a statement:
"We launched Google Optimize over 5 years ago to enable businesses of all sizes to easily test and improve your user experiences." 
"We remain committed to enabling businesses of all sizes to improve your user experiences and are investing in third-party A/B testing integrations for Google Analytics 4."
"Your experiments and personalizations can continue to run until Sept. 30 Any experiments and personalizations still active on that date will end"
Dig deeper. Read Google's announcement in full for more information.
The post Reminder – Google Optimize sunsets this weekend appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Marketers will need to conduct A/B testing in Google Analytics 4 moving forward.
The post Reminder – Google Optimize sunsets this weekend appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Reminder – Google Optimize sunsets this weekend

<p>Content that references controversial topics but does not go into graphic detail will now be eligible for monetization.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/youtube-relaxes-controversial-topic-guidelines-to-boost-ad-revenue-opportunities-432529">YouTube relaxes controversial topic guidelines to boost ad revenue opportunities</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


<p>YouTube is updating its Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines regarding controversial issues.</p>



<p>Under the new best practice recommendations, creators will be able to earn ad revenue on content discussing topics such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>Sexual and domestic abuse.</li>



<li>Abortions.</li>



<li>Eating disorders.</li>
</ul>



<p>This means content that addresses these topics without going into graphic detail can now be fully monetized. </p>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>YouTube is expanding advertising avenues, providing advertisers with more opportunities to showcase their campaigns. However, brands should carefully weigh ad placement decisions, and consider whether they wish to have their products or services promoted alongside content discussing controversial issues – even if it doesn&#8217;t go into graphic detail.</p>



<p><strong>Why now? </strong>YouTube confirmed the change was prompted by feedback from creator communities claiming that they receive &#8220;more yellow icons&#8221; than others when their content simply references controversial topics. The platform is hoping the update to its guidelines will enable more communities to discuss controversial topics for educational purposes while maintaining the opportunity to monetize their content.</p>



<p><strong>What else is changing? </strong>YouTube is aligning its Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines on eating disorders with the YouTube community guidelines. Content that focuses on eating disorders and shares triggers will not receive ad revenue, such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>Binge eating</li>



<li>Hiding and hoarding</li>



<li>Abusing laxatives</li>
</ul>



<p>However, content that references an eating disorder but does not promote it will be eligible for monteization, such as: </p>



<ul>
<li>Educational</li>



<li>Documentary</li>



<li>Survivor content</li>
</ul>



<p>A YouTube spokesperson added: &#8220;This change will ensure that this content isn&#8217;t incentivised with ads, and that our monetization and community guidelines continue to be in sync.&#8221;</p>



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<p></p>



<p><strong>What has YouTube said? </strong>Conor Kavanagh, YouTube monetization policy lead, said in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK9C0H3WoNY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video statement</a>:</p>



<ul>
<li>"We know that covering topics like these can be a helpful resource to users, so we want to ensure that, wherever possible, controversial issues discussed in a non-descriptive and non-graphic way aren't disincentivized through demonetization."</li>



<li>"We're also keenly aware that some creator communities feel like they get more yellow icons because they're uploading content about topics that disproportionately impact them."</li>



<li>"We hope these changes can give all creators more space to discuss these topics with eligibility fo rad revenue."</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Deep dive. </strong>Read YouTube's <a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6162278?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines</a> in full for more information.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/youtube-relaxes-controversial-topic-guidelines-to-boost-ad-revenue-opportunities-432529">YouTube relaxes controversial topic guidelines to boost ad revenue opportunities</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>

YouTube is updating its Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines regarding controversial issues.
Under the new best practice recommendations, creators will be able to earn ad revenue on content discussing topics such as:
Sexual and domestic abuse.
Abortions.
Eating disorders.
This means content that addresses these topics without going into graphic detail can now be fully monetized. 
Why we care. YouTube is expanding advertising avenues, providing advertisers with more opportunities to showcase their campaigns. However, brands should carefully weigh ad placement decisions, and consider whether they wish to have their products or services promoted alongside content discussing controversial issues – even if it doesn’t go into graphic detail.
Why now? YouTube confirmed the change was prompted by feedback from creator communities claiming that they receive “more yellow icons” than others when their content simply references controversial topics. The platform is hoping the update to its guidelines will enable more communities to discuss controversial topics for educational purposes while maintaining the opportunity to monetize their content.
What else is changing? YouTube is aligning its Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines on eating disorders with the YouTube community guidelines. Content that focuses on eating disorders and shares triggers will not receive ad revenue, such as:
Binge eating
Hiding and hoarding
Abusing laxatives
However, content that references an eating disorder but does not promote it will be eligible for monteization, such as: 
Educational
Documentary
Survivor content
A YouTube spokesperson added: “This change will ensure that this content isn’t incentivised with ads, and that our monetization and community guidelines continue to be in sync.”
Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.
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What has YouTube said? Conor Kavanagh, YouTube monetization policy lead, said in a video statement:
"We know that covering topics like these can be a helpful resource to users, so we want to ensure that, wherever possible, controversial issues discussed in a non-descriptive and non-graphic way aren't disincentivized through demonetization."
"We're also keenly aware that some creator communities feel like they get more yellow icons because they're uploading content about topics that disproportionately impact them."
"We hope these changes can give all creators more space to discuss these topics with eligibility fo rad revenue."
Deep dive. Read YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content guidelines in full for more information.
The post YouTube relaxes controversial topic guidelines to boost ad revenue opportunities appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Content that references controversial topics but does not go into graphic detail will now be eligible for monetization.
The post YouTube relaxes controversial topic guidelines to boost ad revenue opportunities appeared first on Search Engine Land.

YouTube relaxes controversial topic guidelines to boost ad revenue opportunities

<p>The number of popular websites blocking ChatGPT has increased 250% in the past month. Pinterest, Indeed and more big brands now block GPTBot. </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/more-popular-websites-blocking-gptbot-432531">26% of the top 100 websites are now blocking GPTBot</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>



<p>At least 26 of the top 100 most popular websites – and 242 of the top 1,000 –&nbsp; are now blocking <a href="https://searchengineland.com/gptbot-openais-new-web-crawler-430360">GPTBot</a>,&nbsp; the web crawler OpenAI introduced Aug. 7, according to an updated analysis.</p>



<ul>
<li>That’s a 250% increase since last month, when just <a href="https://searchengineland.com/websites-blocking-gptbot-431183">69 of the top 1,000 websites had blocked GPTBot</a>, according to an updated analysis from AI content and plagiarism service Originality.ai.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" width="898" height="526" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432532" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023.png 898w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023-577x338.png 577w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023-800x469.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023-193x113.png 193w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023-768x450.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/websites-blocking-gptbot-sept2023-150x88.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> To block or not to block ChatGPT? That has been a big question for many SEOs because ChatGPT does not cite or link to its sources. We have let search engines crawl our content because there is a clear potential benefit – we get traffic through direct links/citations. Clearly, even more of the most popular websites have decided to block GPTBot, presumably because they don’t want OpenAI scraping their data to help train its models – at least not without some form of compensation.</p>



<p><strong>12 popular websites now blocking GPTBot. </strong>Among the new additions from the top 100 most popular sites in the past month, the majority of which publish news and information:</p>



<ul>
<li>pinterest.com</li>



<li>indeed.com</li>



<li>theguardian.com</li>



<li>sciencedirect.com</li>



<li>usatoday.com</li>



<li>stackexchange.com</li>



<li>alamy.com</li>



<li>webmd.com</li>



<li>dictionary.com</li>



<li>washingtonpost.com</li>



<li>npr.org</li>



<li>cbsnews.com</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>One big reversal.</strong> Interestingly, Foursquare, which was blocking GPTBot last month, no longer is.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>What about CCbot?</strong> Common Crawl’s web crawler is still blocked less – by just 130 websites. As a reminder, Common Crawl provides part of the training data used by OpenAI, Google and others.&nbsp;</p>



<ul>
<li>109 of the top 1,000 websites block both GPTBot and CCbot.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Limitations.</strong>&nbsp;67 robots.txt files out of the 1,000 websites were not identified/inspected as part of this analysis. (That’s why I wrote “at least” in the opening sentence.)</p>



<p><strong>Originality.ai’s updated analysis.</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://originality.ai/blog/study-websites-blocking-gptbot">Websites That Have Blocked OpenAI’s GPTBot – 1000 Website Study</a></p>



<p><strong><em>Dig deeper.&nbsp;<a href="https://searchengineland.com/block-chatgpt-accessing-website-395088">Should you block ChatGPT’s web browser plugin from accessing your website?</a></em></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/more-popular-websites-blocking-gptbot-432531">26% of the top 100 websites are now blocking GPTBot</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


At least 26 of the top 100 most popular websites – and 242 of the top 1,000 –  are now blocking GPTBot,  the web crawler OpenAI introduced Aug. 7, according to an updated analysis.
That’s a 250% increase since last month, when just 69 of the top 1,000 websites had blocked GPTBot, according to an updated analysis from AI content and plagiarism service Originality.ai.




Why we care. To block or not to block ChatGPT? That has been a big question for many SEOs because ChatGPT does not cite or link to its sources. We have let search engines crawl our content because there is a clear potential benefit – we get traffic through direct links/citations. Clearly, even more of the most popular websites have decided to block GPTBot, presumably because they don’t want OpenAI scraping their data to help train its models – at least not without some form of compensation.
12 popular websites now blocking GPTBot. Among the new additions from the top 100 most popular sites in the past month, the majority of which publish news and information:
pinterest.com
indeed.com
theguardian.com
sciencedirect.com
usatoday.com
stackexchange.com
alamy.com
webmd.com
dictionary.com
washingtonpost.com
npr.org
cbsnews.com
One big reversal. Interestingly, Foursquare, which was blocking GPTBot last month, no longer is. 
What about CCbot? Common Crawl’s web crawler is still blocked less – by just 130 websites. As a reminder, Common Crawl provides part of the training data used by OpenAI, Google and others. 
109 of the top 1,000 websites block both GPTBot and CCbot.
Limitations. 67 robots.txt files out of the 1,000 websites were not identified/inspected as part of this analysis. (That’s why I wrote “at least” in the opening sentence.)
Originality.ai’s updated analysis. Websites That Have Blocked OpenAI’s GPTBot – 1000 Website Study
Dig deeper. Should you block ChatGPT’s web browser plugin from accessing your website?
The post 26% of the top 100 websites are now blocking GPTBot appeared first on Search Engine Land.

The number of popular websites blocking ChatGPT has increased 250% in the past month. Pinterest, Indeed and more big brands now block GPTBot. 
The post 26% of the top 100 websites are now blocking GPTBot appeared first on Search Engine Land.

26% of the top 100 websites are now blocking GPTBot

<p>Excel in the evolving search landscape and boost your brand's visibility on diverse platforms by following these SEO and content tips.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/5-seo-content-strategy-considerations-for-2024-and-beyond-432451">5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


<p>The search landscape is expanding rapidly. People increasingly turn to various platforms for their search needs instead of relying solely on traditional Google searches. </p>



<p>In this evolving landscape, a brand&#8217;s visibility is crucial, as consumers are bombarded with messaging at every scroll, click, and swipe.</p>



<p>With recent developments like Search Generative Experience and Google’s Perspectives feeds, dominating the SERPs is a top priority for <a href="https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo">SEO</a> professionals.</p>



<p>From Google&#8217;s familiar SERPs to the dynamic realms of TikTok and Instagram reels, each platform offers a unique opportunity for brands to share their stories. </p>



<p>However, just having a presence isn’t enough. It&#8217;s about crafting compelling, optimized, relevant content that resonates with your audience, aligns with your search strategies, and serves your business goals.</p>



<p>This article will explore how your brand can conquer the search universe by creating authentic, engaging, and valuable content that attracts and retains consumers&#8217; attention.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-hone-in-on-experience-expertise-authority-and-trustworthiness-e-e-a-t">1. Hone in on experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T)</h2>



<p>There can be as many discussions around emerging platforms for search as you like, but Google is still the head honcho when it comes to search.</p>



<p>Because of this, sending the correct signals to Google within your content remains of the highest importance. It just so happens that their <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-e-e-a-t-guide-seo-394191">E-E-A-T</a> guidelines also reflect users&#8217; needs from content, so they’re a great starting point.</p>



<p>E-E-A-T must be at the core of <a href="https://searchengineland.com/create-content-strategy-framework-393819">content strategy development</a>. When choosing content topics, always assess whether your brand has direct experience or unique expertise. This ensures you produce content to inspire, educate, or entertain users.</p>



<p>Conducting gap analysis and keyword research helps you see how well-positioned your brand is to send these signals. From here, you’ll begin to:</p>



<ul>
<li>Understand where your brand lacks first-hand experience and where to fill an expertise gap.</li>



<li>Strategize ways to develop trustworthiness with an audience and establish topical authority.</li>
</ul>



<p>At this point, you can look to build relationships with content creators, conduct an internal search for topic experts, or even connect with subject matter experts who can fill the gaps.</p>



<p>While E-E-A-T is a Google consideration, it also reflects the thought process of users and audiences when they are searching.</p>



<p>Leveraging this step as almost a “right-to-rank” activity is a foundational stage for any content strategy.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-understand-what-content-needs-to-be-created-and-where-to-place-it">2. Understand what content needs to be created and where to place it</h2>



<p>Once you have established which topics you feel you are well-positioned to discuss, think of how to effectively discuss them.</p>



<p>This used to be relatively easy as the default was to create <a href="https://searchengineland.com/long-form-content-steps-examples-392592">long-form, text-based content</a>, typically as a <a href="https://searchengineland.com/how-to-write-a-blog-post-391760">blog</a> or <a href="https://searchengineland.com/create-optimized-useful-comprehensive-guide-395891">guide</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, in 2023, your users are engaging with <a href="https://searchengineland.com/content-mapping-who-what-where-when-why-and-how-427777">multiple content types</a>, meaning you need to consider how to effectively satisfy the <a href="https://searchengineland.com/optimize-search-intent-tips-430857">intent behind the search query</a>.</p>



<p>The goal here is to understand what signals your users are giving us. </p>



<p>You will likely lean into video content if you recognize that content around a query is popular on YouTube and TikTok. Similarly, if you notice a trend on Pinterest, you will explore image content as a solution.</p>



<p>As <a href="https://searchengineland.com/optimize-content-google-perspectives-427876">Google Perspectives</a> enters the conversation, I anticipate this step getting simpler, as you can leverage Google data to understand the types of queries that carry ample search volume.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After establishing what content users leverage Perspectives for, you can inspect content types and forms in further detail.</p>



<p>In the short term? Leverage tools like Glimpse – a Chrome extension that provides wider knowledge around trending topics – on Google Trends. </p>



<p>Look at the signals in the tool’s “Channels” feed.&nbsp; This lets you understand users&#8217; expectations around content solutions for given keywords, hashtags and ideas.</p>



<p>This step has become crucial in my content strategy for brands. In the past, I primarily analyzed Google SERP features, <em>People also ask </em>questions, and competitors’ content.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Today, understanding where queries are most prominent lets me determine where content needs to be placed. </p>



<p>This step allows us to identify video content opportunities, creator-led considerations or reaffirm that Google is the go-to destination.</p>



<p>Overall, this approach ensures that your strategy reflects your users instead of shoe-horning content solutions around a Google-only approach.&nbsp;</p>



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<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-platform-specific-content-customization">3. Platform-specific content customization</h2>



<p>In the evolving search universe, different content platforms act like distinct planets – each with its own personality, audience, and algorithms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For brands aiming to succeed and connect with their audience on these platforms, merely having a presence isn't sufficient.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The content created must feel native to each platform, underscoring the importance of platform-specific content customization.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, if users are searching on TikTok, your content should align with the platform’s style (i.e., vertical, short-form videos) to resonate with the audience effectively.</p>



<p>Let’s explore how to ensure you’re working toward platform-specific content creation and customization.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-native-content-creation">Native content creation</h3>



<p>Platforms are not mere distribution channels; they are unique stages.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Content shouldn't be created once and distributed everywhere. Instead, it should be crafted or tailored to align with the platform's nature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Think of it like translating a message into different languages. The core message remains the same, but the delivery varies to cater to the specific audience and the solutions they crave on a specific platform.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understand-platform-nuances">Understand platform nuances</h3>



<p>Each platform has its own set of rules and preferences.&nbsp;</p>



<p>From content duration and format to engagement metrics and peak activity times, myriads of factors can influence your content's success.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recognizing and respecting these nuances ensures that your content feels organic and relevant.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-audience-expectations">Audience expectations</h3>



<p>Users approach platforms with different mindsets. For instance, what a user seeks on a video-centric platform might differ from a community-driven forum.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brands should be attuned to these expectations, ensuring content aligns with the audience's intent and platform experience.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When brands do not achieve this, this can be a real turn-off for users.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistency-in-diversity">Consistency in diversity</h3>



<p>While the medium and method might change, your brand voice and core message should remain consistent.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This strengthens brand identity and ensures that while the delivery might vary, the essence is recognizable across platforms.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-updated">Stay updated</h3>



<p>The search universe is ever-evolving. Platform preferences shift, algorithms get updated, and user behaviors most certainly change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To truly dominate the content game, brands must stay informed and be ready to adapt their strategies based on platform-specific insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-future-proof-your-strategies">4. Future-proof your strategies</h2>



<p>A successful content strategy isn't limited to the present but looks ahead to the future.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By staying open to learning and ongoing content improvement, brands stay current with changing trends and tools, avoiding being stuck in outdated practices.</p>



<p>But it's not only about knowing; it's also about putting that knowledge into action.</p>



<p>The key lies in cultivating a strategy that is rooted yet flexible. As new platforms emerge and user preferences shift, brands should be agile enough to pivot without reinventing the wheel.</p>



<p>This agility is complemented by an eagerness to harness the latest technological advancements, whether that’s AI-driven analytics or immersive VR experiences, Google Perspectives or SGE.</p>



<p>However, even with these shifts, it's crucial to prioritize the audience's perspective. </p>



<p>Stay tuned with evolving search behaviors and consistently review analytics and feedback to gain valuable insights about current sentiments and future expectations.</p>



<p>While the future may be uncertain, you can be ready with scenario planning. Envision different paths for the search landscape and strategize how to position your brand in this evolving environment.</p>



<p>In doing so, you build a content strategy responsive to today's digital rhythm and ready to dance to tomorrow's tune.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-creator-led-seo-foster-collaborations-and-partnerships-nbsp">5. Creator-led SEO: Foster collaborations and partnerships&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“If content is king, experience is queen,” as I highlighted in a Search Engine Land article, “<a href="https://searchengineland.com/creator-led-content-marketing-future-of-search-428185">Why creator-led content marketing is the future of search</a>.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Partnerships and collaborations have emerged as powerful tools to amplify reach, diversify content offerings, and tap into new audiences – all while showcasing experience.</p>



<p>More than just a means to pool resources, strategic collaborations can:</p>



<ul>
<li>Bring a fresh perspective.</li>



<li>Add credibility.</li>



<li>Build trust among audiences</li>
</ul>



<p>All this is vital for the other considerations we have covered above.</p>



<p>By aligning with influencers who share similar values and audiences with your brand, you can co-create content that offers diverse viewpoints while maintaining consistency in messaging.</p>



<p>These partnerships let you explore innovative content formats and platforms, reaching new audiences or re-engaging current ones.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brands can benefit from these collaborations by expanding their online presence beyond just Google search results, ensuring a broader digital dominance.</p>



<p>Collaborations with influencers bring a human touch to a brand's digital presence. </p>



<p>Authentic endorsements or shared content from trusted figures can significantly elevate brand perception and reach, particularly among younger audiences who value peer recommendations – E-E-A-T signals sent!</p>



<p>Furthermore, partnerships can pave the way for cross-promotion, where both parties benefit from shared audiences, leading to mutual growth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This extends beyond content creation. Joint webinars, shared research reports, or collaborative events can deepen engagement and position both entities as thought leaders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-the-new-search-universe-enhancing-your-brand-s-visibility-beyond-google">Navigating the new search universe: Enhancing your brand’s visibility beyond Google</h2>



<p>Optimizing for search is no longer limited to traditional engines like Google. As consumers explore new platforms, we must adapt and refine our strategies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Prioritizing expertise, trustworthiness, and genuine connections can help you stand out and build authority.</p>



<p>These considerations go beyond steps. They form a holistic approach to address changing user behaviors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a world where attention is precious, brands must move past visibility to connect and engage effectively. SEO in 2024 and beyond is all about building relationships.</p>



<p>Remember, adaptability is crucial. The digital world is ever-changing, with new platforms emerging and old ones fading. </p>



<p>You can navigate and excel in this vast and evolving search landscape by grounding your strategy in understanding and authenticity.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/5-seo-content-strategy-considerations-for-2024-and-beyond-432451">5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>

The search landscape is expanding rapidly. People increasingly turn to various platforms for their search needs instead of relying solely on traditional Google searches. 
In this evolving landscape, a brand’s visibility is crucial, as consumers are bombarded with messaging at every scroll, click, and swipe.
With recent developments like Search Generative Experience and Google’s Perspectives feeds, dominating the SERPs is a top priority for SEO professionals.
From Google’s familiar SERPs to the dynamic realms of TikTok and Instagram reels, each platform offers a unique opportunity for brands to share their stories. 
However, just having a presence isn’t enough. It’s about crafting compelling, optimized, relevant content that resonates with your audience, aligns with your search strategies, and serves your business goals.
This article will explore how your brand can conquer the search universe by creating authentic, engaging, and valuable content that attracts and retains consumers’ attention.
1. Hone in on experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T)
There can be as many discussions around emerging platforms for search as you like, but Google is still the head honcho when it comes to search.
Because of this, sending the correct signals to Google within your content remains of the highest importance. It just so happens that their E-E-A-T guidelines also reflect users’ needs from content, so they’re a great starting point.
E-E-A-T must be at the core of content strategy development. When choosing content topics, always assess whether your brand has direct experience or unique expertise. This ensures you produce content to inspire, educate, or entertain users.
Conducting gap analysis and keyword research helps you see how well-positioned your brand is to send these signals. From here, you’ll begin to:
Understand where your brand lacks first-hand experience and where to fill an expertise gap.
Strategize ways to develop trustworthiness with an audience and establish topical authority.
At this point, you can look to build relationships with content creators, conduct an internal search for topic experts, or even connect with subject matter experts who can fill the gaps.
While E-E-A-T is a Google consideration, it also reflects the thought process of users and audiences when they are searching.
Leveraging this step as almost a “right-to-rank” activity is a foundational stage for any content strategy. 
2. Understand what content needs to be created and where to place it
Once you have established which topics you feel you are well-positioned to discuss, think of how to effectively discuss them.
This used to be relatively easy as the default was to create long-form, text-based content, typically as a blog or guide. 
However, in 2023, your users are engaging with multiple content types, meaning you need to consider how to effectively satisfy the intent behind the search query.
The goal here is to understand what signals your users are giving us. 
You will likely lean into video content if you recognize that content around a query is popular on YouTube and TikTok. Similarly, if you notice a trend on Pinterest, you will explore image content as a solution.
As Google Perspectives enters the conversation, I anticipate this step getting simpler, as you can leverage Google data to understand the types of queries that carry ample search volume. 
After establishing what content users leverage Perspectives for, you can inspect content types and forms in further detail.
In the short term? Leverage tools like Glimpse – a Chrome extension that provides wider knowledge around trending topics – on Google Trends. 
Look at the signals in the tool’s “Channels” feed.  This lets you understand users’ expectations around content solutions for given keywords, hashtags and ideas.
This step has become crucial in my content strategy for brands. In the past, I primarily analyzed Google SERP features, People also ask questions, and competitors’ content. 
Today, understanding where queries are most prominent lets me determine where content needs to be placed. 
This step allows us to identify video content opportunities, creator-led considerations or reaffirm that Google is the go-to destination.
Overall, this approach ensures that your strategy reflects your users instead of shoe-horning content solutions around a Google-only approach. 
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3. Platform-specific content customization
In the evolving search universe, different content platforms act like distinct planets – each with its own personality, audience, and algorithms. 
For brands aiming to succeed and connect with their audience on these platforms, merely having a presence isn't sufficient. 
The content created must feel native to each platform, underscoring the importance of platform-specific content customization. 
For example, if users are searching on TikTok, your content should align with the platform’s style (i.e., vertical, short-form videos) to resonate with the audience effectively.
Let’s explore how to ensure you’re working toward platform-specific content creation and customization. 
Native content creation
Platforms are not mere distribution channels; they are unique stages. 
Content shouldn't be created once and distributed everywhere. Instead, it should be crafted or tailored to align with the platform's nature. 
Think of it like translating a message into different languages. The core message remains the same, but the delivery varies to cater to the specific audience and the solutions they crave on a specific platform.
Understand platform nuances
Each platform has its own set of rules and preferences. 
From content duration and format to engagement metrics and peak activity times, myriads of factors can influence your content's success. 
Recognizing and respecting these nuances ensures that your content feels organic and relevant.
Audience expectations
Users approach platforms with different mindsets. For instance, what a user seeks on a video-centric platform might differ from a community-driven forum. 
Brands should be attuned to these expectations, ensuring content aligns with the audience's intent and platform experience. 
When brands do not achieve this, this can be a real turn-off for users.
Consistency in diversity
While the medium and method might change, your brand voice and core message should remain consistent. 
This strengthens brand identity and ensures that while the delivery might vary, the essence is recognizable across platforms.
Stay updated
The search universe is ever-evolving. Platform preferences shift, algorithms get updated, and user behaviors most certainly change. 
To truly dominate the content game, brands must stay informed and be ready to adapt their strategies based on platform-specific insights.
4. Future-proof your strategies
A successful content strategy isn't limited to the present but looks ahead to the future. 
By staying open to learning and ongoing content improvement, brands stay current with changing trends and tools, avoiding being stuck in outdated practices.
But it's not only about knowing; it's also about putting that knowledge into action.
The key lies in cultivating a strategy that is rooted yet flexible. As new platforms emerge and user preferences shift, brands should be agile enough to pivot without reinventing the wheel.
This agility is complemented by an eagerness to harness the latest technological advancements, whether that’s AI-driven analytics or immersive VR experiences, Google Perspectives or SGE.
However, even with these shifts, it's crucial to prioritize the audience's perspective. 
Stay tuned with evolving search behaviors and consistently review analytics and feedback to gain valuable insights about current sentiments and future expectations.
While the future may be uncertain, you can be ready with scenario planning. Envision different paths for the search landscape and strategize how to position your brand in this evolving environment.
In doing so, you build a content strategy responsive to today's digital rhythm and ready to dance to tomorrow's tune.
5. Creator-led SEO: Foster collaborations and partnerships 
“If content is king, experience is queen,” as I highlighted in a Search Engine Land article, “Why creator-led content marketing is the future of search.” 
Partnerships and collaborations have emerged as powerful tools to amplify reach, diversify content offerings, and tap into new audiences – all while showcasing experience.
More than just a means to pool resources, strategic collaborations can:
Bring a fresh perspective.
Add credibility.
Build trust among audiences
All this is vital for the other considerations we have covered above.
By aligning with influencers who share similar values and audiences with your brand, you can co-create content that offers diverse viewpoints while maintaining consistency in messaging.
These partnerships let you explore innovative content formats and platforms, reaching new audiences or re-engaging current ones. 
Brands can benefit from these collaborations by expanding their online presence beyond just Google search results, ensuring a broader digital dominance.
Collaborations with influencers bring a human touch to a brand's digital presence. 
Authentic endorsements or shared content from trusted figures can significantly elevate brand perception and reach, particularly among younger audiences who value peer recommendations – E-E-A-T signals sent!
Furthermore, partnerships can pave the way for cross-promotion, where both parties benefit from shared audiences, leading to mutual growth. 
This extends beyond content creation. Joint webinars, shared research reports, or collaborative events can deepen engagement and position both entities as thought leaders.
Navigating the new search universe: Enhancing your brand’s visibility beyond Google
Optimizing for search is no longer limited to traditional engines like Google. As consumers explore new platforms, we must adapt and refine our strategies. 
Prioritizing expertise, trustworthiness, and genuine connections can help you stand out and build authority.
These considerations go beyond steps. They form a holistic approach to address changing user behaviors. 
In a world where attention is precious, brands must move past visibility to connect and engage effectively. SEO in 2024 and beyond is all about building relationships.
Remember, adaptability is crucial. The digital world is ever-changing, with new platforms emerging and old ones fading. 
You can navigate and excel in this vast and evolving search landscape by grounding your strategy in understanding and authenticity.
The post 5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Excel in the evolving search landscape and boost your brand's visibility on diverse platforms by following these SEO and content tips.
The post 5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond appeared first on Search Engine Land.

5 SEO content strategy considerations for 2024 and beyond

<p>Ensure your business can be found both online and offline by implementing the key elements of well-crafted location pages.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/create-perfect-location-page-seo-visitors-432441">How to create a perfect location page for SEO and visitors</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


Local businesses must ensure they can be found by those looking for them – both online and on the road.
Location pages on your website are the perfect place to direct people to your place of business while giving additional information that might be helpful to them.
Location pages also signal important information about your business to search engines, which helps make your website more relevant for certain search queries.
Let’s dive into what makes a perfect location page for SEO and visitors:
Contact information (NAP + W)
Available services/products/features
Map and directions
Parking information
Visuals
Hours of operation
Marketing copy
Reviews
More helpful information
Page optimization
How to handle multiple locations
Think about your target audience
Before choosing which strategies to implement in this article, think about your target audience. What information is going to be the most helpful for them?
For example, if you are a moving company, your location pages may direct people to your location and give vital information about the city you’re located in. 
After all, people who are moving in may want to know more about the local community they are entering into. 
In this scenario, you might dedicate some text to things to do in the area, the schools, the crime rate, etc.
Always start with the page’s purpose – what do you want it to do for your visitors? Then, the content strategies will follow.
If you decide not to implement every suggestion in this article, that’s OK. Do what is best for your business and your audience.
Contact information (NAP + W)
What would a location page be without an address? 
A physical address is a signal to Google for ranking, and the search engine wants to rank businesses closest to the point of search (where the searcher is).
But what is often forgotten is to make sure the name, address, phone number and website (NAP + W) have the most up-to-date information. 
(This can get trickier to keep up to date when you have multiple locations.)
And when I say up to date, I also mean that the NAP + W on the site is the leading example for the NAP + W across all other online channels like online directories, social media profiles, etc. 
Search engines like Google want to be able to trust a business, and making sure the NAP + W information is consistent everywhere is key.
Available services/products/features at the location
Letting people know what to expect at your location can be helpful.
For example:
If you’re a coffee shop, you might include a menu.
If you’re a storage facility, you might show the availability of storage units.
If you’re a boutique hotel, perhaps you might show which amenities are available at that location.
The following screenshot from a location page at a storage facility business at StoragePost.com shows what types of storage are available at the specific location.

So think about what you can tell people to give them an at-a-glance view of what you offer at your location. 
This helps them know what to expect (and they don’t have to navigate to other pages to find the most important information).
A map and directions
Embed a map (preferably a Google map) that shows your location. 
A dynamic embedded Google map versus a static map makes it easy for people to click the map and get directions to your location, like how we do at BruceClay.com:

Here’s a Google help file on sharing a map to get you started.
It’s hard to imagine a world where someone doesn’t rely on GPS to get there, but just in case, you might consider giving text directions from the major directional points (from the north, south, east and west, and citing any landmarks).
Locals may be able to glance at those quickly and know where they are going without the map. And it could be helpful if the map or someone’s GPS isn’t working.
Here’s an example from StoragePost.com, where I pulled a blurb about directions to the facility:

Parking information
Nothing stresses out some people more than having a nice GPS-guided tour to your location, only to be faced with the chaos of figuring out where they can stop their car and get out. 
Giving parking information is a nice way to prepare people for what to do when they get there. 
For example:
Do you have parking on-site, or is there only street parking? 
Do you have to pay for parking or is it free? 
Where do they turn to get to the parking lot? 
What times of day are the busiest for parking? 
Is there a parking garage nearby if need be? 
The answers to these questions can be a lifesaver for some. And for some locations with tricky parking and some city streets, this is an absolute must.
Visuals of your business
Another way to help people know what to expect is to have visuals of your business. 
You can do this by:
Posting photos of your building and the inside of your business
Make sure they are high-resolution, good-quality photos. You can use the same photos in your Google Business Profile. (Hopefully, you have one set up as a local business.) You can also optimize these images so that they have a better chance of showing up in the search results.
Embedding a 360-degree virtual tour
Give people a virtual tour of your business. Google “how to embed a Google virtual tour on your website” for more tips.     
Adding a video
Add a video that gives an overview of your business. You can create the video, upload it onto YouTube, and then embed it on the location page. 
This way, it will do double duty for you. It serves as interesting content on your YouTube channel, helps your location page visitors and has the ability to rank in the search results.  
Dig deeper: 5 top tips to boost your local SEO efforts
Hours of operation
One of the most essential bits of information you will have on your location page is the hours of operation. Let people plan their trip to you.
This one is self-explanatory – be sure to include the days and times you are open. 
And if you want to add a little extra, you can say when your peak hours of operation are (as in what days and times you tend to be the busiest). Some people appreciate this so they can avoid the crowds.
Marketing copy
Why not use the location page as yet another place to differentiate your business and get people interested? 
Consider adding marketing copy that shows what makes your business great, how you are different from the competition and why people won’t be disappointed in giving you their business.
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Reviews
A location page is a great place on the website to display reviews of your business. 
You have creative reign when it comes to how you want to display your reviews. You can display star ratings, or you can add testimonials.
For testimonials, consider:
Displaying localized reviews that mention the local services, products or experiences you provide.
Including the person's name and perhaps things like the city, town, or neighborhood the customer resides in.
Adding the person’s picture so you can to make it more personal.
More helpful information 
You can add value to your location page in many different ways. Here are some ideas:
Write about the community
Take some time to say a little bit about the surrounding areas. This can infuse the page with localized content, which is good for SEO but also provides value to visitors.
For instance, if you have a business that caters to customers who are potentially new to the area or looking to move to the area, you can talk about the community, what it has to offer and maybe a little bit about its history.
Here’s an example from StoragePost.com right on one of their location pages:

Transportation, accommodations, attractions
If you have a lot of out-of-town customers, you might tell them how to get to and from Point A to Point B, where they can stay the night and what they can do while there.
That’s what we do on BruceClay.com:

Helpful articles
If you have written any relevant blog articles on your site that relate to the location, then link to them from the location page.
This can additionally drive more traffic to your blog and keep visitors on your site longer.
Here’s what StoragePost.com does:

Dig deeper: How to use location-specific authority content for SEO
Page optimization 
As with any other key page on your website, you want to optimize your location page. 
There are a ton of things you can do to improve the relevancy of your page. Some of the basics include:
Making sure the content feels as if it has been written with a certain degree of expertise or experience, depending on the topic. For example, if you’re writing about local stuff, you’d better have local experience in that place (or at least be able to research it really well).
Ensuring the content is updated as needed to keep it evergreen.  
Having a page that offers a good user experience, such as those factors outlined in Google’s page experience concept (mobile-friendliness, a secure site, no intrusive pop-ups, Core Web Vitals).
Meta tags, heading tags.
Image optimization, including alt text.
Schema, including NAP+W schema and review schema. See schema.org for LocalBusiness (scroll down to the bottom for more specific business categories) and Review.
How to handle multiple locations
If you’re lucky enough to expand your business to multiple locations, you need a strategy for handling location pages.
For this, you must create a “Locations” section on the site where each location will have a corresponding webpage.
Here’s how StoragePost.com handles it on the homepage:

When you click through, you are brought to a main location landing page, where you can click on states or individual locations:

Choosing a Bronx location brings you to that specific location page:

You must ensure that the content is unique to each page, using some of the tips outlined earlier in this article on creating content for location pages.
Dig deeper: Optimizing local landing pages for search: 8 best practices
Boost your local visibility by nailing down these elements
While location pages might seem like one of those less-important webpages on your site, nothing could be further from the truth.
Location pages provide useful information to website visitors and customers and improve your website’s relevancy with search engines. 
The post How to create a perfect location page for SEO and visitors appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Ensure your business can be found both online and offline by implementing the key elements of well-crafted location pages.
The post How to create a perfect location page for SEO and visitors appeared first on Search Engine Land.

How to create a perfect location page for SEO and visitors

<p>The secrets of Google Shopping Ads that will save you thousands.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/5-essential-google-shopping-optimizations-google-wont-tell-you-431954">5 essential Google Shopping optimizations Google won&#8217;t tell you</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-800x450.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432000" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-800x450.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-600x338.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-200x113.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2-150x84.png 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/shoppingiq-google-shopping-ads-guide-2.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></div>


<p>Google Shopping Ads are a powerful platform for increasing your sales. With Black Friday fast approaching, implementing the latest tactics is crucial to ensure your ad spend is invested wisely amid rising costs per click.</p>



<p>These five essential optimizations that will instantly impact your campaigns are brought to you by Google Shopping Feed partner ShoppingIQ, who specializes in overcoming existing limitations of Google Shopping and Performance Max campaigns, whist developing extra features, optimizations and targeting options that are not accessible through the Google Ads or Google Mercant Center interface.</p>



<p>Within this guide, Alam Hosseinbor, ecommerce director at ShoppingIQ, unveils a number of “secrets that Google won&#8217;t tell you” and emphasizes that &#8220;shopping advertisers unknowingly waste thousands of dollars per year without realizing.”</p>



<p>Follow the link at the end of this blog post to download the full list of tips and access your free one-hour consultation for more bespoke advice and tactics. The below five optimizations are critical and we strongly suggest they are reviewerd and implemented ASAP.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-real-time-feed-stock-updates">1. Real-time feed stock updates</h2>



<p>A shocking fact: for more than 95% of ecommerce brands, even after their products go out of stock, their product ads stay active on Google Shopping for 12 to 24 hours, and in some cases longer. This leads to unnecessary CPC charges, reduced ROI and frustrates customers when they arrive at pages with out-of-stock items. While this not only drains your budget, it also leads to product disapprovals due to incorrect stock status. Furthermore, as your best-selling items are most likely to go out of stock, this adversely affects the bidding algorithm as Google&#8217;s latest signals perceive these products as live but unproductive, pushing them down the priority list when they are back in stock.</p>



<p>Take a look at this video, which serves as an example of how Argos, a prominent U.K. retailer, was unintentionally wasting its advertising budget on products that were out of stock during its Black Friday campaign when CPC rates were already soaring due to heightened competition. In the video, you can witness an active ad directing a user to the relevant landing page, only to discover that the product they clicked on is no longer available. This negatively impacts the budget and provides a suboptimal customer experience from a branding and technological perspective.</p>



<center><video width="300" height="600" controls>
  <source src="https://shoppingiq.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Argos-Wasting-Money-Advertising-Products-Out-of-Stock.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video></center>



<div style="height:15px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>So, what&#8217;s the solution to this problem? If you rely on Google Sheets, FTP or XML links to manage your feeds in Google Merchant Center, there&#8217;s a higher likelihood that you&#8217;re facing this issue, although it&#8217;s not exclusive to these file formats. ShoppingIQ has developed a unique, real-time proprietary stock updating technology, and leveraging this technology is essential. It prevents unnecessary ad spend on out-of-stock items, particularly during inflated CPC rates, safeguarding your budget and ensuring efficient expenditure throughout the year, especially during peak seasons when CPCs are at their highest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-real-time-feed-price-updates">2. Real-time feed price updates</h2>



<p>Real-time stock updates are important, but the same goes for pricing. Delays in getting your price drops to market also slow down your revenue potential during sale periods. For instance, during a sale, you would want to capitalize on the increased click-through rates (CTR) and sales that price drops provide immediately, not on your next feed update, typically the next day. This issue becomes especially critical during limited-time events such as Black Friday or weekend sales. In the same video as above, where you saw Argos paying for an out-of-stock click, it follows with the same user experiencing another issue who was forced back to the results pages to choose an alternative shop. This time, Amazon is at fault for promoting an inaccurate price that misleads the customer. In this instance, as the actual website price is higher, it frustrates the customer and lowers the conversion rate due to the deceptive pricing information.</p>



<p>It is highly recommended to maximize performance and efficiency by having the ability to reflect and adjust your product prices in your live ads in real-time, harnessing market changes and tactical opportunities. This feature proves invaluable for businesses frequently running sales or promotions, as it guarantees that your ads reflect the most up-to-date pricing information. While this also reduces product disapproval, keeping your prices correct and maximizing the revenue from price drops as they happen is essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-incremental-converting-keyword-insights-and-keyword-targeting">3. Incremental converting keyword insights and keyword targeting</h2>



<p>In a landscape where Google and Performance Max campaigns are reducing insight and optimization control, ShoppingIQ puts control back in the hands of advertisers. It allows precise control over your products&#8217; appearance in Google Shopping search results. You can target your ads using a range of keywords, including product names, brand names and product attributes. This precision ensures that your ads reach potential buyers with the highest intent.</p>



<p>Importantly<strong>, </strong>converting keyword insights at the product level are provided even for Performance Max campaigns, and such data is certainly not available via the Google Ads interface. This strategy includes providing brands with additional data to support product feed title, description optimization and incremental keyword targeting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-20-cpc-discount">4. 20% CPC discount</h2>



<p>A Google CSS partner like ShoppingIQ offers a permanent discount on your Google Shopping spend. This discount is applied to your account and gives your shopping campaigns 20% more bidding power without extra charges. As a result, your cost per click will end up being cheaper. For example, reducing your bids by 20% will be equivalent to the same bid you had before. Therefore, this discount will quickly reduce advertising costs and enhance your ROI. It&#8217;s a straightforward process with no need for alterations to your existing ad campaigns. Please note that this discount is only available for ad campaigns running activities in the U.K. or EU. This discount was mandated for Google by EU courts due to anti-competitive reasons and to acknowledge the contributions of Google feed partners in helping brands grow their online shopping spends on Google. We highly recommend that you opt for this discount, as Google is unlikely to inform you about it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-free-competitor-tracking">5. Free competitor tracking</h2>



<p>ShoppingIQ goes a step further by providing free competitor tracking. This feature lets you compare your products with your competitors regarding price, availability and impression share in Google Shopping search results. This invaluable data enables you to identify areas for campaign improvement and stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, you can dynamically adjust your product offerings based on price competitiveness.</p>



<p>Beyond these five core advantages, there are a host of additional features to refine your Google Shopping campaigns:</p>



<p>• Advanced reporting and analytics: Gain deep insights into your campaign&#8217;s performance to refine your strategies.</p>



<p>• Automated bidding: Optimize your bidding strategies to maximize ROI.</p>



<p>• Image optimizations: Make your ads visually appealing to stand out.</p>



<p>• Product optimization tools: Fine-tune your product listings for better visibility.</p>



<p>• Advanced product optimizations: Implement advanced tactics to improve product rankings.</p>



<p>In summary, these tips are suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking to enhance their Google Shopping campaign performance.</p>



<p>For tips and advice for your brand, we recommend you take advantage of the <a href="https://shoppingiq.com/learn/free-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">free 1-hour consultation</a>. You will learn more about the plenty of incremental features not available via the Google Ads interface, and to enhance your performance beyond the limitations of Google Performance Max campaigns.</p>



<p>For more comprehensive guidance and additional tips to grow your revenue efficiently and quickly, you can download a free guide from <a href="https://shoppingiq.com/learn/free-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">https://shoppingiq.com/learn/free-guide</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/5-essential-google-shopping-optimizations-google-wont-tell-you-431954">5 essential Google Shopping optimizations Google won&#8217;t tell you</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


Google Shopping Ads are a powerful platform for increasing your sales. With Black Friday fast approaching, implementing the latest tactics is crucial to ensure your ad spend is invested wisely amid rising costs per click.
These five essential optimizations that will instantly impact your campaigns are brought to you by Google Shopping Feed partner ShoppingIQ, who specializes in overcoming existing limitations of Google Shopping and Performance Max campaigns, whist developing extra features, optimizations and targeting options that are not accessible through the Google Ads or Google Mercant Center interface.
Within this guide, Alam Hosseinbor, ecommerce director at ShoppingIQ, unveils a number of “secrets that Google won’t tell you” and emphasizes that “shopping advertisers unknowingly waste thousands of dollars per year without realizing.”
Follow the link at the end of this blog post to download the full list of tips and access your free one-hour consultation for more bespoke advice and tactics. The below five optimizations are critical and we strongly suggest they are reviewerd and implemented ASAP. 
1. Real-time feed stock updates
A shocking fact: for more than 95% of ecommerce brands, even after their products go out of stock, their product ads stay active on Google Shopping for 12 to 24 hours, and in some cases longer. This leads to unnecessary CPC charges, reduced ROI and frustrates customers when they arrive at pages with out-of-stock items. While this not only drains your budget, it also leads to product disapprovals due to incorrect stock status. Furthermore, as your best-selling items are most likely to go out of stock, this adversely affects the bidding algorithm as Google’s latest signals perceive these products as live but unproductive, pushing them down the priority list when they are back in stock.
Take a look at this video, which serves as an example of how Argos, a prominent U.K. retailer, was unintentionally wasting its advertising budget on products that were out of stock during its Black Friday campaign when CPC rates were already soaring due to heightened competition. In the video, you can witness an active ad directing a user to the relevant landing page, only to discover that the product they clicked on is no longer available. This negatively impacts the budget and provides a suboptimal customer experience from a branding and technological perspective.

  





So, what’s the solution to this problem? If you rely on Google Sheets, FTP or XML links to manage your feeds in Google Merchant Center, there’s a higher likelihood that you’re facing this issue, although it’s not exclusive to these file formats. ShoppingIQ has developed a unique, real-time proprietary stock updating technology, and leveraging this technology is essential. It prevents unnecessary ad spend on out-of-stock items, particularly during inflated CPC rates, safeguarding your budget and ensuring efficient expenditure throughout the year, especially during peak seasons when CPCs are at their highest.
2. Real-time feed price updates
Real-time stock updates are important, but the same goes for pricing. Delays in getting your price drops to market also slow down your revenue potential during sale periods. For instance, during a sale, you would want to capitalize on the increased click-through rates (CTR) and sales that price drops provide immediately, not on your next feed update, typically the next day. This issue becomes especially critical during limited-time events such as Black Friday or weekend sales. In the same video as above, where you saw Argos paying for an out-of-stock click, it follows with the same user experiencing another issue who was forced back to the results pages to choose an alternative shop. This time, Amazon is at fault for promoting an inaccurate price that misleads the customer. In this instance, as the actual website price is higher, it frustrates the customer and lowers the conversion rate due to the deceptive pricing information.
It is highly recommended to maximize performance and efficiency by having the ability to reflect and adjust your product prices in your live ads in real-time, harnessing market changes and tactical opportunities. This feature proves invaluable for businesses frequently running sales or promotions, as it guarantees that your ads reflect the most up-to-date pricing information. While this also reduces product disapproval, keeping your prices correct and maximizing the revenue from price drops as they happen is essential.
3. Incremental converting keyword insights and keyword targeting
In a landscape where Google and Performance Max campaigns are reducing insight and optimization control, ShoppingIQ puts control back in the hands of advertisers. It allows precise control over your products’ appearance in Google Shopping search results. You can target your ads using a range of keywords, including product names, brand names and product attributes. This precision ensures that your ads reach potential buyers with the highest intent.
Importantly, converting keyword insights at the product level are provided even for Performance Max campaigns, and such data is certainly not available via the Google Ads interface. This strategy includes providing brands with additional data to support product feed title, description optimization and incremental keyword targeting.
4. 20% CPC discount
A Google CSS partner like ShoppingIQ offers a permanent discount on your Google Shopping spend. This discount is applied to your account and gives your shopping campaigns 20% more bidding power without extra charges. As a result, your cost per click will end up being cheaper. For example, reducing your bids by 20% will be equivalent to the same bid you had before. Therefore, this discount will quickly reduce advertising costs and enhance your ROI. It’s a straightforward process with no need for alterations to your existing ad campaigns. Please note that this discount is only available for ad campaigns running activities in the U.K. or EU. This discount was mandated for Google by EU courts due to anti-competitive reasons and to acknowledge the contributions of Google feed partners in helping brands grow their online shopping spends on Google. We highly recommend that you opt for this discount, as Google is unlikely to inform you about it.
5. Free competitor tracking
ShoppingIQ goes a step further by providing free competitor tracking. This feature lets you compare your products with your competitors regarding price, availability and impression share in Google Shopping search results. This invaluable data enables you to identify areas for campaign improvement and stay ahead of the competition. Additionally, you can dynamically adjust your product offerings based on price competitiveness.
Beyond these five core advantages, there are a host of additional features to refine your Google Shopping campaigns:
• Advanced reporting and analytics: Gain deep insights into your campaign’s performance to refine your strategies.
• Automated bidding: Optimize your bidding strategies to maximize ROI.
• Image optimizations: Make your ads visually appealing to stand out.
• Product optimization tools: Fine-tune your product listings for better visibility.
• Advanced product optimizations: Implement advanced tactics to improve product rankings.
In summary, these tips are suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking to enhance their Google Shopping campaign performance.
For tips and advice for your brand, we recommend you take advantage of the free 1-hour consultation. You will learn more about the plenty of incremental features not available via the Google Ads interface, and to enhance your performance beyond the limitations of Google Performance Max campaigns.
For more comprehensive guidance and additional tips to grow your revenue efficiently and quickly, you can download a free guide from https://shoppingiq.com/learn/free-guide.
The post 5 essential Google Shopping optimizations Google won’t tell you appeared first on Search Engine Land.

The secrets of Google Shopping Ads that will save you thousands.
The post 5 essential Google Shopping optimizations Google won’t tell you appeared first on Search Engine Land.

5 essential Google Shopping optimizations Google won’t tell you by ShoppingIQ

<p>Celebrate Google's 25th birthday with SEO stories from industry veterans, exploring challenges, lessons, and the future of search.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/google-search-at-25-seo-experts-share-memorable-moments-432455">Google Search at 25: SEO experts share memorable moments</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


Celebrate Google's 25th birthday with SEO stories from industry veterans, exploring challenges, lessons, and the future of search.
The post Google Search at 25: SEO experts share memorable moments appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Google Search at 25: SEO experts share memorable moments

<p>"There should not be one ounce of trust left that any advertiser has in Google Ads," according to Greg Finn.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-credibility-greg-finn-advertiser-432503">Has Google Ads lost all credibility? Why one advertiser says it&#8217;s time to leave</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>



<p>Google stunned the PPC community after openly admitting to <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-quietly-increases-ad-prices-targets-432155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quietly adjusting</a> ad prices to meet targets. The confession comes eight years after Google Ad executive Jerry Dischler denied the search engine <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-denies-manipulating-ad-auctions-in-resurfaced-smx-advanced-clip-432345" target="_blank" rel="noopener">manipulates ad auctions</a> at SMX Advanced in 2015.</p>



<p>The backtracking has infuriated digital marker Greg Finn – so much so that he now believes advertisers should consider leaving Google. But will others follow?</p>



<p>Here&#8217;s a recap of Finn&#8217;s comments from the Sept. 22 <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-search-antirust-trial-hearing-updates-431977" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marketing O&#8217;Clock</a> podcast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-google-has-lost-all-trust-and-credibility">Google has lost all trust and credibility</h2>



<p>Finn started by calling the situation &#8220;disheartening.&#8221; He continued:</p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;First of all, the biggest detriment is that Google has lost all trust and credibility. All you have in life is your word.</li>



<li>&#8220;Google has admitted to trying to hit quarterly numbers so that the morale of its people living in high-cost areas is up – but that&#8217;s at the expense of the small businesses that it pretends to care about.</li>



<li>&#8220;Money doesn&#8217;t just appear, it comes out of every small business and big business&#8217; pocket that is using Google&#8217;s platform.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stop-calling-it-an-auction">Stop calling it an auction</h2>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;We all knew this was going on, but you want to give people the benefit of the doubt. Google says it cares about advertisers and all these other marketing lies, but the minute it has to hit these marks, the staff ratchet up the spend, and they ratchet the revenue up to 5% or 10%,&#8221; Finn said.</li>
</ul>



<p>Here are some of the reactions Finn highlighted from the PPC community:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="300" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-800x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432505" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-800x300.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-600x225.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-200x75.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-768x288.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43-150x56.png 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.19.43.png 1174w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="317" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-800x317.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432506" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-800x317.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-600x238.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-200x79.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-768x304.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11-150x59.png 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.11.png 1186w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="268" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-800x268.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432507" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-800x268.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-600x201.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-200x67.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-768x257.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59-150x50.png 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.20.59.png 1184w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="263" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-800x263.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432508" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-800x263.png 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-600x197.png 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-200x66.png 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-768x252.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24-150x49.png 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-26-at-21.22.24.png 1182w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stop-lying">Stop lying</h2>



<p>Finn read out an X (formerly known as Twitter) post from ex-Googler Ben Kruger, which read:</p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;Guys they are running a business, they can do whatever they want with their prices just like you and your clients can.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<p>Finn called Kruger&#8217;s words &#8220;fair&#8221; in parts, but called Google out for its lack of transparency with advertisers.</p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;You can do whatever you want [with your prices], but just don&#8217;t tell me that you&#8217;re doing things in my best interests. You can no longer say that, and I can no longer trust you on anything that you say or do because you&#8217;re out here, tuning up, and shaking the cushions to hit quarterly profit numbers,&#8221; Finn said.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-google-s-terminology-is-misleading-at-best">Google&#8217;s terminology is &#8216;misleading at best&#8217;</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s fine if retailers increase their margin on the backend, but in Google&#8217;s case, this is marketed as auctions with bids and bid strategies, Finn said.</p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;That terminology is increasingly misleading at best. There are factors outside of your control and factors that only matter to the sales team that live in high-income areas that are going to hurt your campaign. I guarantee Google has never moved costs down 5%,&#8221; Finn said.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rgsp-is-ridiculous">RGSP is &#8216;ridiculous&#8217;</h2>



<p>Dischler said during the federal antitrust trial that something called RGSP boosted Google&#8217;s revenue by switching the auction so that the second-place bidder was in the top advertiser slot and the initial winner was in the second position.</p>



<p>Dischler told the court: </p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;We flip them, otherwise Amazon would always show up on top.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<p>Finn called this approach &#8220;ridiculous&#8221;: </p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;People are out here bidding. What world are we living in? What world is this? It&#8217;s ridiculous,&#8221; Finn said.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-should-leave">People should leave!</h2>



<p>Here&#8217;s how Finn wrapped up his epic rant on Google Ads inflating ad prices:</p>



<ul>
<li>&#8220;This whole thing just makes me so unbelievably sad. I&#8217;ve read everything and heard all the reactions – and I know it&#8217;s going to get progressively worse as the years come by.</li>



<li>&#8220;People should leave. There should not be one ounce of trust that any advertiser has in Google Ads or in any of its platforms, speech, any of its propaganda or anything it puts out.&#8221; </li>



<li>&#8220;Google has lost all credibility with this. There is nothing left.&#8221;</li>



<li>&#8220;Everyone thinks I&#8217;m a Google conspiracist, and everyone thinks I&#8217;m nuts – but I&#8217;m not. I&#8217;m right on this. And that&#8217;s why everyone is so hesitant to switch to auto-applied recommendations or use AI or <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-performance-max-best-practice-guide-update-430499" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PMax</a>. Google is doing these things to make more money, and they&#8217;re admitting it in court. Sad.&#8221;</li>
</ul>



<p><strong><em>Dig deeper. <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-search-antirust-trial-hearing-updates-431977">Google search antitrust trial updates: Everything you need to know (so far)</a></em></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-credibility-greg-finn-advertiser-432503">Has Google Ads lost all credibility? Why one advertiser says it&#8217;s time to leave</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


Google stunned the PPC community after openly admitting to quietly adjusting ad prices to meet targets. The confession comes eight years after Google Ad executive Jerry Dischler denied the search engine manipulates ad auctions at SMX Advanced in 2015.
The backtracking has infuriated digital marker Greg Finn – so much so that he now believes advertisers should consider leaving Google. But will others follow?
Here’s a recap of Finn’s comments from the Sept. 22 Marketing O’Clock podcast.
Google has lost all trust and credibility
Finn started by calling the situation “disheartening.” He continued:
“First of all, the biggest detriment is that Google has lost all trust and credibility. All you have in life is your word.
“Google has admitted to trying to hit quarterly numbers so that the morale of its people living in high-cost areas is up – but that’s at the expense of the small businesses that it pretends to care about.
“Money doesn’t just appear, it comes out of every small business and big business’ pocket that is using Google’s platform.”
Stop calling it an auction
“We all knew this was going on, but you want to give people the benefit of the doubt. Google says it cares about advertisers and all these other marketing lies, but the minute it has to hit these marks, the staff ratchet up the spend, and they ratchet the revenue up to 5% or 10%,” Finn said.
Here are some of the reactions Finn highlighted from the PPC community:
















Stop lying
Finn read out an X (formerly known as Twitter) post from ex-Googler Ben Kruger, which read:
“Guys they are running a business, they can do whatever they want with their prices just like you and your clients can.”
Finn called Kruger’s words “fair” in parts, but called Google out for its lack of transparency with advertisers.
“You can do whatever you want [with your prices], but just don’t tell me that you’re doing things in my best interests. You can no longer say that, and I can no longer trust you on anything that you say or do because you’re out here, tuning up, and shaking the cushions to hit quarterly profit numbers,” Finn said.
Google’s terminology is ‘misleading at best’
It’s fine if retailers increase their margin on the backend, but in Google’s case, this is marketed as auctions with bids and bid strategies, Finn said.
“That terminology is increasingly misleading at best. There are factors outside of your control and factors that only matter to the sales team that live in high-income areas that are going to hurt your campaign. I guarantee Google has never moved costs down 5%,” Finn said.
RGSP is ‘ridiculous’
Dischler said during the federal antitrust trial that something called RGSP boosted Google’s revenue by switching the auction so that the second-place bidder was in the top advertiser slot and the initial winner was in the second position.
Dischler told the court: 
“We flip them, otherwise Amazon would always show up on top.”
Finn called this approach “ridiculous”: 
“People are out here bidding. What world are we living in? What world is this? It’s ridiculous,” Finn said.
People should leave!
Here’s how Finn wrapped up his epic rant on Google Ads inflating ad prices:
“This whole thing just makes me so unbelievably sad. I’ve read everything and heard all the reactions – and I know it’s going to get progressively worse as the years come by.
“People should leave. There should not be one ounce of trust that any advertiser has in Google Ads or in any of its platforms, speech, any of its propaganda or anything it puts out.” 
“Google has lost all credibility with this. There is nothing left.”
“Everyone thinks I’m a Google conspiracist, and everyone thinks I’m nuts – but I’m not. I’m right on this. And that’s why everyone is so hesitant to switch to auto-applied recommendations or use AI or PMax. Google is doing these things to make more money, and they’re admitting it in court. Sad.”
Dig deeper. Google search antitrust trial updates: Everything you need to know (so far)
The post Has Google Ads lost all credibility? Why one advertiser says it’s time to leave appeared first on Search Engine Land.

"There should not be one ounce of trust left that any advertiser has in Google Ads," according to Greg Finn.
The post Has Google Ads lost all credibility? Why one advertiser says it’s time to leave appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Has Google Ads lost all credibility? Why one advertiser says it’s time to leave

<p>After Google released shared conversations in Bard, Google Search began crawling and indexing those public chats.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/google-to-block-bards-shared-chats-from-showing-in-google-search-432497">Google to block Bard&#8217;s shared chats from showing in Google Search</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>



<p>Google will soon block Bard&#8217;s shared conversations from appearing in Google Search. Google Bard recently came out with shared conversations that let users publicly share the chats they had with Bard. Soon after Google Search started to discover those URLs, crawl them, and index them.</p>



<p><strong>The issue. </strong>Gagan Ghotra <a href="https://twitter.com/gaganghotra_/status/1706545667362210129">posted</a> on X a screenshot showing how a site command for <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Abard.google.com%2Fshare">site:bard.google.com/share</a> returned results from Bard. Those results were shared conversations.  Here is a screenshot of Bard showing up in the Google Search index:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" width="1700" height="1418" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index.png" alt="" class="wp-image-432499" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index.png 1700w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-405x338.png 405w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-719x600.png 719w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-135x113.png 135w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-768x641.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-1536x1281.png 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/09/bard-google-search-index-150x125.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1700px) 100vw, 1700px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>Google will block Bard results from Google Search. </strong>I asked Google&#8217;s Search Liason, Danny Sullivan, about this and he <a href="https://twitter.com/searchliaison/status/1706733784534859909">responded</a> on X saying, &#8220;Bard allows people to share chats, if they choose. We also don&#8217;t intend for these shared chats to be indexed by Google Search. We&#8217;re working on blocking them from being indexed now.&#8221;</p>



<p>Google will soon remove Bard&#8217;s shared conversations from showing in Google Search.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>So if you see Bard&#8217;s shared conversations showing up in Google Search, don&#8217;t fret it, they should go away in the coming days.  Google said it does not want them to show up in Google Search&#8217;s index and they are working on blocking them now.<a href="https://twitter.com/searchliaison/status/1706732827705065665"></a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/google-to-block-bards-shared-chats-from-showing-in-google-search-432497">Google to block Bard&#8217;s shared chats from showing in Google Search</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


Google will soon block Bard’s shared conversations from appearing in Google Search. Google Bard recently came out with shared conversations that let users publicly share the chats they had with Bard. Soon after Google Search started to discover those URLs, crawl them, and index them.
The issue. Gagan Ghotra posted on X a screenshot showing how a site command for site:bard.google.com/share returned results from Bard. Those results were shared conversations.  Here is a screenshot of Bard showing up in the Google Search index:




Google will block Bard results from Google Search. I asked Google’s Search Liason, Danny Sullivan, about this and he responded on X saying, “Bard allows people to share chats, if they choose. We also don’t intend for these shared chats to be indexed by Google Search. We’re working on blocking them from being indexed now.”
Google will soon remove Bard’s shared conversations from showing in Google Search.
Why we care. So if you see Bard’s shared conversations showing up in Google Search, don’t fret it, they should go away in the coming days.  Google said it does not want them to show up in Google Search’s index and they are working on blocking them now.
The post Google to block Bard’s shared chats from showing in Google Search appeared first on Search Engine Land.

After Google released shared conversations in Bard, Google Search began crawling and indexing those public chats.
The post Google to block Bard’s shared chats from showing in Google Search appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Google to block Bard’s shared chats from showing in Google Search

<p>The California State Court of Appeals reversed a decision made in 2020 that stated Facebook was protected from legal action under Section 230.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/facebook-legal-action-ad-algorithm-discriminates-432479">Facebook can be sued over biased ad algorithm claims, court rules</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>


<p>Facebook can be sued over claims its advertising algorithm is biased, a California State Court of Appeals has ruled.</p>



<p>The decision reverses a previous ruling from 2020 that stated Facebook was protected from accountability under Section 230 – a law that shields online platforms from legal action when users share illegal material.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> Brands utilizing Facebook&#8217;s ad tools may unintentionally be engaging in discriminatory practices if the platform&#8217;s algorithm is found to be biased.</p>



<p><strong>Biased ad algorithm? </strong>Facebook was originally taken to court in 2020 for violating civil rights laws. The social platform was accused of not showing insurance ads to women and older people after 48-year-old Samantha Liapes tried to use Facebook to find an insurance provider. Liapes claimed she wasn&#8217;t shown insurance ads due to her age and gender.</p>



<p><strong>2020 outcome. </strong>The case was originally dismissed by the court after it found Facebook’s tools &#8220;neutral on their face and concluding that Facebook was immune under the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. 230.&#8221; However, Liapes appealed the decision.</p>



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<p></p>



<p><strong>Appeal. </strong>The decision was reversed on 21 September 2023 after the appeals court found that the case "adequately" alleges that Facebook “knew insurance advertisers intentionally targeted its ads based on users’ age and gender" – which is in violation of the Civil Rights Act.</p>



<p>The court concluded: "Facebook does not merely proliferate and disseminate content as a publisher ... it creates, shapes, or develops content" with the tools.</p>



<p><strong>Deep dive. </strong>Read the <a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2023/a164880.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liapes v. Facebook, Inc.</a> case in full for more information.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com/facebook-legal-action-ad-algorithm-discriminates-432479">Facebook can be sued over biased ad algorithm claims, court rules</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://searchengineland.com">Search Engine Land</a>.</p>

Facebook can be sued over claims its advertising algorithm is biased, a California State Court of Appeals has ruled.
The decision reverses a previous ruling from 2020 that stated Facebook was protected from accountability under Section 230 – a law that shields online platforms from legal action when users share illegal material.
Why we care. Brands utilizing Facebook’s ad tools may unintentionally be engaging in discriminatory practices if the platform’s algorithm is found to be biased.
Biased ad algorithm? Facebook was originally taken to court in 2020 for violating civil rights laws. The social platform was accused of not showing insurance ads to women and older people after 48-year-old Samantha Liapes tried to use Facebook to find an insurance provider. Liapes claimed she wasn’t shown insurance ads due to her age and gender.
2020 outcome. The case was originally dismissed by the court after it found Facebook’s tools “neutral on their face and concluding that Facebook was immune under the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. 230.” However, Liapes appealed the decision.
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Appeal. The decision was reversed on 21 September 2023 after the appeals court found that the case "adequately" alleges that Facebook “knew insurance advertisers intentionally targeted its ads based on users’ age and gender" – which is in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
The court concluded: "Facebook does not merely proliferate and disseminate content as a publisher ... it creates, shapes, or develops content" with the tools.
Deep dive. Read the Liapes v. Facebook, Inc. case in full for more information.
The post Facebook can be sued over biased ad algorithm claims, court rules appeared first on Search Engine Land.

The California State Court of Appeals reversed a decision made in 2020 that stated Facebook was protected from legal action under Section 230.
The post Facebook can be sued over biased ad algorithm claims, court rules appeared first on Search Engine Land.

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