It was very revealing when Google started testing website mentions in the local finder, and now they are rolling it out. Website mentions adds to the local finder snippets if the web site has the query searched for anywhere listed on that listings web site. Like I said when they were testing it, it shows Google Local is aware of the content on the local business's web pages and may be using that for local rankings.Sergey Alakov was the first to notice the rollout:I am able to replicate it myself here in New York:This is pretty cool, don't you think?Forum discussion at Twitter. … [Read more...] about Now Live: Google Local Finder Website Mentions
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Live: Google Question & Answer Feature In Local Results
About a month ago, we reported Google was testing question and answer sections in the local results. I emailed Google about this three times, Google was radio silent about it. Then over the weekend, Google announced it in the Google My Business Help forums that this is live for Android users now.Google said "we’re excited to announce that Google is bringing Questions and Answers to businesses." This allows businesses to post FAQs in the local panel, as well as answer questions posed by their customers. This is currently only available for Android users. Google wrote this helps:Add frequently asked questions and answers so that users searching for your place on Google Maps on Android can easily get the answers to common questions about your business. Answer questions from potential customers - if you have Google Maps on Android, we will send you a push notification when a new question has been asked about your business so you can share an answer. Thumb up … [Read more...] about Live: Google Question & Answer Feature In Local Results
SearchCap: Google Posts live, Google purges medical records & search pics
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. Google Posts now live for all Google My Business usersJun 22, 2017 by Barry Schwartz After much anticipation, Google Posts is finally available to all small businesses. The content will appear in both Google search and maps results. Google now removing medical records from its search resultsJun 23, 2017 by Barry Schwartz Google’s content removal policy has been updated to include medical records. This goes on a very short list of content that Google will remove from search. SMX Advanced session: Mobile-First For The Advanced SEOJun 23, 2017 by Greg Gifford How can websites prepare for the mobile-first index? Columnist Greg Gifford recaps a session from SMX Advanced dealing with the impending rollout of Google’s new index, which prioritizes mobile content over desktop. Search in Pics: Google bathtub table, Bing lunchbox & YouTube stairsJun 23, 2017 by Barry … [Read more...] about SearchCap: Google Posts live, Google purges medical records & search pics
Officially Live: Google My Business Launches Website Builder
Earlier this year, Google was beta testing a website builder for Google My Business customers. Well, that tool is now available globally for any business within Google My Business. Marissa Nordahl announced it in a Google My Business Help thread yesterday. She said "we know that getting a website can still be a challenge for a lot of small business owners around the world: too complex, too expensive, too time consuming." Google said 60% of small businesses do not even have a web site! Google launched this website builder to help, she wrote:Website is a free tool that allows small business owners to create a simple, striking website in just a few minutes. It’s easy, and you can create and edit your new website from your computer or your phone!Here is what you see when you click on the website builder in Google My Business:And within seconds, it automatically made me a web site that I can then customize:This tool give you:Custom domain name It's mobile … [Read more...] about Officially Live: Google My Business Launches Website Builder
Google Checkout Is Dead, Long Live Google Wallet
Yesterday Google Checkout users were notified that it was being merged into and replaced by Google Wallet. This makes sense on every level. From a ‘brand” and visibility standpoint Wallet is a more successful product already. Checkout was introduced in June, 2006 (it was rumored to be called “GBuy” ahead of launch). It was directed at both consumers and merchants. Checkout was also intended to be tightly integrated with AdWords. Online retailers or stores that used AdWords received favorable payment processing terms. In some ways it was Google’s answer to PayPal but it was also different in a number of respects (it didn’t allow peer to peer transactions for example). PayPal owner eBay at the time took it very seriously as a threat and did a great many hostile things, such as refusing to allow Checkout on eBay and pulling its AdWords advertising in protest. There was a bit of a replay of that fracas when earlier this year eBay sued Google over two … [Read more...] about Google Checkout Is Dead, Long Live Google Wallet