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 Releases Many AI-Powered Updates to Maps and Google My Business
On March 30, 2021, Google announces these updates that include pickup and delivery attributes, a curbside pickup pilot program, indoor Live View, an updated directions interface and several eco-friendly tweaks to Maps. Pickup and delivery attribute display order and pickup options, such as delivery providers, fees, order minimums and pickup and delivery windows. Google also updates its Maps directions experience to show users a more comprehensive view of how long it’ll take to get to their destination.
Google Updates its Core Web Vitals and Page Experience FAQs
Google updates its FAQs around the Core Web Vitals and the page experience update. This page is accessible in the Google support forums and was posted in December 2020 but updated on March 30, 2021, with a lot more details. Also, Google adds you do not need to clear all the core web vitals to be eligible in the top stories carousel.
Google Adds “New” Label for Local Business Reviews
In December, Google tested a “new” label in the local business reviews for reviews about a month old. Now, the new label seems to be live in the local reviews for all to see.
Google My Business Adds Suspension Email Notifications
Ben Fisher, Google My Business specialist and co-founder of local search consultancy Steady Demand, first wrote about the change. Under the new law and policy, business owners will receive formal notification in email. The email will indicate the listing has been suspended but won’t offer any explanatory detail. It will identify the suspended location address.
Google My Business Rolls Out New Features for Stores
Google adds more information to Search and Maps about businesses that provide options for grocery delivery and pickup. The information is getting added to search automatically, which shows there’s no work required on the part of businesses, but it’s an update worth being aware of. This addition to Google Search and Maps is rolling out as part of a larger update that includes many valuable features.
PPC Related Updates And News
Microsoft Ads Rolls Out Auto-Applied Ad Suggestions
Microsoft says, “Starting in March 2021, you may see ad suggestions with auto-apply on the Recommendations page.” Microsoft Advertising’s auto-apply ad suggestions will be similar to Google’s auto-applied ad suggestions, known as “Ads Added by AdWords”, launched in 2017. The goal is for auto-apply ad suggestions to boost performance and to save time for advertisers.
Social Media Updates And News
LinkedIn Users Can Now Enhance Profiles With Intro Videos
LinkedIn updates user profiles to add introduction videos and roll out an all-new ‘Creator’ mode. These new features help users adapt to the age of virtual job seeking. 79% of recruiting managers believe that video has become a vital part of interacting with or vetting job candidates.
Facebook Analytics Is Shuttering At The end of June 2021
Facebook Analytics will stop being accessible after June 30, 2021, giving marketers less than three months to export their data and discover other solutions. The company doesn’t provide any explanation for its decision to shutter Facebook Analytics. Instead, it directs users to other business tools.
