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 Announces New Reporting Features and Changes Coming to GA4
Google is always looking for ways to improve and help its business users. To get even closer, the company announced new reporting features and changes coming to Google Analytics 4. GA4 promises a simpler interface with easy-to-navigate screens that will make it easier than ever before to track your data on both desktop and mobile devices without having to switch between other tools.
The Google Search Central Unconference Returns And Registrations Open For The Upcoming Event
Google is throwing its annual Search Central Unconference event, which will be held on June 21. Registration opens now and closes in just four days. A Google Unconference is an off-the-grid, collaborative event open to the public. It’s organized more democratically than a traditional conference by anyone who wants to participate and not just those with organizational skills or connections.
Google Has Updated Their PageSpeed Scores With Lighthouse 8.0
Google has updated their PageSpeed Scores with Lighthouse 8.0, which includes different tests to evaluate page speed and performance. Lighthouse tool helps publishers, developers, and SEOs measure page speed and other metrics related to accessibility and SEO. For example, Total Blocking Time (TBT) measures how long it takes for a web page to become responsive to scrolling or keyboard taps.
SEO Software Provider Moz Has Been Acquired By iContact
Moz, the leading provider of search engine optimization software to over one million marketers worldwide, has been acquired by iContact. Pepe shares that he sees Moz as a value-driven company, and this acquisition will make it possible to bring more value to both companies’ customer bases.
Google Has Announced The Release Of A New Partner Badge
Google announced that they would be releasing a new Partner badge for those already meeting the requirements needed by Feb 2022. In order to get the new badge, Partners will need to meet updated requirements around performance, spend, and certifications. In addition, advertisers will have to maintain a 70% optimization score but choose to apply or dismiss recommendations to achieve that score.
Google Announced That They Will No Longer Allow Users to Create Short Names For Their Company
According to Ben Fisher, the Help Center update says, “You can no longer create or edit short names”. However, short names and URLs that already exist will still work. In addition, businesses can use the short URL on things like business cards, posters and brochures to help customers easily find the business and leave reviews, access contact information, get directions and more.
Google Will Remove Short Names From Business Profiles
Google has announced that it will remove short names from business profiles, add a new label to local listings and test what appears to replace the old Google Local Card. When you search for local results on Google Search or Google Maps, you may see that some local listings have a label that reads “New on Google.” This label seems to have started rolling out a few days ago and shows up for business added to Google My Business within two months.
PPC Related Updates And News
Google Has Teamed Up With WooCommerce For Easy Product Uploads
Google announced a partnership with e-commerce platform provider WooCommerce to make it easier for users of the latter’s inventory management system to upload products directly from their Google app. The integration means that sellers can now update product details and publish listings – all in one place without having to jump between platforms or copy and paste information across multiple screens.
Google Announces That It Will Add Location Extensions To Some Of Your Google Ads
Google has confirmed that it is prepping to automatically add location extensions to some of your Google Ads. This will allow advertisers who are struggling with budget constraints to quickly and easily reach a targeted audience based on their precise geographical location without needing costly campaigns or advertisements, which can get expensive in a hurry.
