SEO Wash-up Monday 10th October 2022

Google Update

Google tests new local service ads UX – Google has been testing a new layout and user experience for the Local Service Ads. The interface has the local service ads on the left and when you click on one, the box expands to the right with all of the details on the business. People have seen this and been speaking about it on social media, mentioning that this looks more like a local finder interface. Furthermore, that this new interface will give more exposure to Local Service Ads below the top three positions.

Google ads automatically upgrades to performance max for local campaigns – Google ads mentions that they will start the process of automatically upgrading accounts to Performance Max for Local campaigns. The automatic upgrades will roll out gradually and finish in September for most advertisers. As a note, performance max campaigns has been available to all advertisers since last year November and a beta was launched back in October 2020.

Google started this process with auto-upgrading accounts to Performance Max for Smart Shopping campaigns since July. Google mentions that if your campaigns are not eligible for the self-upgrade tool and you are not notified about an automatic upgrade, then your Local campaigns will not be upgraded to Performance Max until 2023. If your campaigns have access to the self-upgrade tool and do not auto-upgrade by the end of September, you will continue to have access to the self-upgrade tool until auto-upgrade resumes in 2023. This will ensure you do not see any campaign disruption during the busy holiday season.

Google wants users to use the self upgrade tool and not have Google Ads automatically upgrade you. The self-upgrade tool for Local campaigns has become available to eligible advertisers and will continue to roll out in phases throughout August and September. Google mentions that it is recommended in using the tool to upgrade your campaigns as soon as you can to get a head start on the holiday season.

Google search tests popular on Twitter box – Google has been testing a new title for some of the Twitter carousel results in Google Search. So, if something is trending on Twitter, Google will label the Twitter carousel as “Popular on Twitter.”

Bing Update

Bing tests ‘People also ask’ in carousel UX – Microsoft Bing has been testing a carousel format and user experience for the people also ask. Usually. users will the people also ask in a list view, but the carousel test gives you the question and answer immediately.