SEO Wash-up Monday 1st June

Google Updates

Google continues to test Favicons in search results – Earlier this year in January, they started to display favicons in their desktop search results, but then they removed most of them a month later after a lot of criticism. So since then, they have been testing to show these favicons only to a limited number of searchers and they are still doing so now.

Google tests ‘How to recipe’ results interface – Google has been testing a new interface for the ‘how to’ results, although it isn’t clear that is it restricted to just recipes or whether it could be more wide spread. Users on social media have shared this by showing recipes result with the old and new interface.

Google Ads verification program now required to all advertisers – The search giant has mentioned that all advertisers are now required to complete a verification program in order to buy ads within the Google Ads network. They have said something similar last month, but now it seems they are activating this for all advertisers. Advertisers now need to submit personal identification, business incorporation documents or other information that proves who they are and the country in which they operate.

Users who are searching will start to see disclosures that list this information about the advertiser behind the ads they see. Although this only applies to US advertisers for now, Within the Google help document, it mentions that to increase transparency for users, advertisers will be required to verify their legal name through advertiser identity verification.

Google will then verify your identity and generate a disclosure on any ads you run, displaying your name and country. As part of a phased rollout, certain advertisers may be selected to complete this verification program first.

Bing Updates

Bing Places has now integrated GoFundMe – Bing mentions that they have partnered with GoFundMe to integrate it into Bing Places. Doing so will help enable businesses that need funding from its community, making it an easy way to highlight that need within Bing Search and Bing Maps.

Below the simple steps in order to create the fundraiser;

• Sign in to your Bing Places for businesses
• Click the ‘Get Started’ button within the ‘Set up a GoFundMe fundraiser’ module in your Bing Places dashboard
• Follow the prompts on GoFundMe as directed, and your fundraiser will now show up on Bing local listing pages, where customers can click directly to your GoFundMe to donate