We hope you are in good health. Here are some of the major SEO news updates of the week you need to know:
Search Related Updates and News from Major Search Engines
Google delays the Sunset of Universal Analytics 360 Until 2024
Google is delaying the end of support for Universal Analytics 360 until 2024 in order to give business users more time to switch to Google Analytics 4. (GA4). The transition deadline from Universal Analytics 360 to GA4 will now take place on July 1, 2024, rather than October 1, 2023. This is a clear reference to Universal Analytics’ enterprise edition. On July 1, 2023, Google will no longer support its standard Universal Analytics features, as previously stated.
Google’s Policy Regarding Stock Photography
In a recent Search Off the Record podcast, two Google employees examined the use of stock photos and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Both proponents and opponents of the use of stock photos are numerous. Perhaps a point of agreement is that it might be improper in situations when readers might expect to see photographs of genuine persons, such as “our team” pages.
But what are the opinions of those who oversee Google’s support materials? The same issues that affect content publishers apply to Google employees as well.
The Bing Full-Size Search Box is Now In the Bottom Right of the Search Results
When you scroll down the search results page, and your browser window is large enough to accommodate it, Microsoft Bing displays the search box in the bottom right corner. If not, Bing will display a floating magnifying glass that you can click to open the search box. When Khushal Bherwani reported this to me on Twitter, I at first believed it to be a problem, but I was able to recreate it as well.
Google Testing’s Section for More Visual Products
Over the past few months, Google has been experimenting with a product grid that essentially transforms the search results into an interface resembling an e-commerce category page. After formally declaring this new visual shopping experience yesterday, Google is now testing an “explore more” grid structure on top of it.
PPC Related Updates and News
Microsoft Bing Ads Revenues are Up 16%, but Google Ads Revenues Are Up Only 4.2%
Following their earnings announcements last night, Google (Alphabet) and Microsoft (Bing) are down more than 5% in pre-marketing trading. While Microsoft’s search ad revenue, primarily from Bing, appears to have increased significantly higher, at 16% year over year, Google’s ad revenue only increased by 4.2%.
Best Practices & New Features for Google Ads Performance Max
To assist advertisers in more effectively promoting holiday sales, Google is introducing additional tools for Performance Max campaigns and disseminating best practices. Want to know all about it? Have a look at the original updated document above!
Release of Google Ads API Version 12.0
The Google Ads API version 12.0 has been made available by Google. The Google Ads API was published in two versions: version 11.0 in June and version 11.1 in August. 12.0 is a significant update.
Additionally, versions 10.0 and 10.1 were issued on February 9 and April 27, 2022, respectively. Additionally, Google stopped supporting the AdWords API on April 27, which will be fully defunct by the end of July.
Top and bottom Google Shopping Ads Overlay Carousel Testing
When you click “see more” at the top and bottom of the shopping adverts, Google is experimenting with overlaying the functionality. It was on the bottom, as Saad AK noted and tweeted: Additionally, he claimed to have observed new features, including “Expand arrows on Search Ads which was opening the Ad in the same window for a better viewing experience & it also included “About this store” option in it.” If those are new or not, we are not sure.
Social Media Updates and News
In the Third Quarter, Meta’s Metaverse Division Lost $3.7 Billion
Meta’s Reality Labs segment lost $3.7 billion in the third quarter by managing augmented and virtual reality activities. The loss is a result of the substantial costs Meta is incurring to realize CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the metaverse; year-to-date spending at Meta is more than double that of last year, and there is still one quarter in 2022.
According to Reports, Twitter’s Most Active Users Have Stopped Tweeting
Heavy Twitter users are less active than once, and those who frequent the site now have very diverse interests. Reuters apparently got internal documents that contain this information. According to the records, a “heavy tweeter” is someone who tweets three to four times per week and logs into the website daily.
Twitter Adds 15 More Campaigns to its Planner Countries
Twitter is adding 15 more countries to its forecasting tool for advertisers, Campaign Planner, and it now supports the video views target. Campaign Planner, which was initially made available in three nations, calculates the size of the audience you might be able to reach with Twitter ads depending on the criteria you specify.