Google Search and the BERT Algorithm
Google’s primary focus is to understand better what it is that searchers are actually searching for, and in the process, it’s rolled out the BERT algorithm. When Google describes BERT as “one of the biggest leaps forward in the history of Search,” they say they are making a significant claim. The underlying goal is to bolster Search’s ability to organically discern which information a user is seeking and to parlay that into results that make sense from the user’s perspective Google shares that, with the implementation of BERT, about 1 in 10 Google Searches will reap greater user rewards based on its capabilities, which can help you enhance your brand right out of the gate. While this currently applies only to those searches made in English in the United States, more countries and languages will be included over time. BERT: What’s It All About? BERT stands for Bidirectional Encoder Representations … Continued
Google Ads: 2 Fresh Ways to Target Users
Google Ads, the goliath of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, recently launched two new offerings to help you reach your target audience in Google Search, and it’s pretty big news. The rollouts include Affinity Audiences and Seasonal Event Segments for In-Market Audiences – just in time for the holidays. Read further to discover more about these targeting options and to find out what they might have to offer you. What’s It All About? When potential customers – and there are likely far more than you realize – are in search mode, they are exploring their personal interests, searching for inspiration, and digging around for things that matter to them. If you can provide these potential customers with what they want (even if they’re not aware of what it is they want in the moment) when they want it, you’re golden. Google Ads’ latest additions are focused on helping you make your advertising … Continued
Should I Utilize My Google Beacon?
By now you’ve probably magically received a Google beacon for your business. Google is proactively sending these beacons (along with instructions on how to register them) out to businesses that use their advertising services and are likely to benefit from it.
User Reviews are The King
Did you know that positive online reviews produce an 18% average uplift in sales? Or that consumers are likely to spend 31% more with businesses that have excellent reviews? How about that 59% of consumers say that review sites have the most influence on their booking decisions when traveling? Online reviews have become an important part of how consumers make decisions, whether it’s what to eat, watch, buy, or sell. See below for even more industry-specific information and statistics. The facts and impact of online reviews are real. What are some effective strategies you’ve used to garner positive online reviews for your business? Image Credit: Website Builder
Google Local Pack Updates Change the Game… Again!
If you thought that removing right sidebar ads was the biggest change Google would make to search results in 2016, buckle up. Prepare for an incoming update — Google’s at it again! Why Does This Matter? This change means that another organic position is being replaced with a paid ad. While the removal of sidebar ads already moved organic positions down the page, this is another push to dominate the top of the search results page with ads. On a mobile device, users will have to scroll past numerous ads before they see any organic results. Below you can see a mock up from Search Engine Roundtable of what the new local pack might look like with an ad in position one. These new ads will likely look very similar to the other two listings in the local pack, but Google hasn’t officially released information about what the ads will … Continued
Google AdWords: 4 Major Changes for a Mobile-First World
1) 50% More Text for Search Ads One of the first changes Google announced was that search ads will be eligible for up to 50% more text. That’s right — Google will be affording PPC ads with even more real estate on search results pages. It’s clear that Google is giving extra love to PPC ads because not only do they plan on expanding the text, they’ve already made the switch to adding a fourth placement for ads at the top of search results pages. The 25-character headline limit will be expanded to two 30-character headlines. The new ads will have one consolidated 80-character description line, instead of two separate 35-character descriptions lines. In the example below, the new format on the right includes more ad space for businesses to better market their unique selling propositions. 2) Device-Specific Bidding Currently, advertisers set bids for desktop searches and make adjustments for … Continued
How Do I Respond to Google Reviews of My Business? #FAQuesday
With a sleek, professionally designed website and a plethora of Google reviews brimming with positive accounts of your service, your company is way ahead of the curve when it comes to digital marketing. If you’re not responding to those reviews, however, you could be missing out on opportunities to directly connect with potential lifelong customers.
What’s New in AdWords?
From top placement changes to new ad formats, Google has announced many updates to AdWords over the past month. We at The Web Guys are here to be the one-stop shop for all that you need to know. Get up to speed by reading the latest updates below: New Dashboard on the Way The AdWords dashboard will be getting a hefty makeover in the next 12-18 months. No beta period has been announced yet, but Google is giving fair warning that a more user-friendly experience is in sight. We don’t know much in terms of exactly what will be changing, and Google has only provided one screenshot to tease us with. OEM Automotive Ads Automotive ads are getting revamped with the newest update from Google. Now when an OEM is buying search ads, they’ll be able to add an image carousel for a more eye-catching ad. These ads will also … Continued
Google Search Results Page Update is Game Changer
Google has made a game-changing update to its search results that could negatively impact your website traffic. This latest change includes removing right-hand side ads from the search results page. In the past, there were typically three ad positions above organic search results and seven positions on the side. Now you’ll see up to four results at the top of the page and zero ads on the side. There are also ad positions on the bottom of the page below organic results. What’s the Impact? This update makes a BIG difference whether you have an AdWords campaign or not. Let’s assume you do have an AdWords campaign currently running. This means that if your average ad position is lower than 4 (meaning positions 5-10), your ad may get pushed to the bottom of the search results page, below organic results. The effectiveness of your campaign could drastically drop. In order … Continued
What Are My Customers Searching For? #FAQuesday
If you had to take a guess at how many Google searches occur each day, what would be your ballpark estimate? 1 million? 3 million? According to Google Search statistics, more than 3.5 billion searches are processed every day. With that staggering number in mind, how does an online marketer know which searches to target to draw potential customers to your website? At The Web Guys, we have the process down to a science. Here’s a breakdown of how our digital marketing experts shed light on what your customers are searching for, so we can ensure your content gives them what they’re seeking. Considering the History The initial stage of developing content for a Web page starts with researching the phrases searchers use to find a specific product or service online. Google Adwords offers a free Keyword Planner that gives historical search data, and it allows users to expand a keyword list by multiplying several keywords together. … Continued
