SEO Wash-up Monday 21st February 22

Google Update

Google business products has got “Mark As Special” For Top Placement on Serps- Google Business Profiles that was previously called Google My Business has added/testing, adding a new check box for products. So there is an option named “mark as special” that will show your products at the top of the page in Google Search.

Google search console announcements bar test – Search Console seems to have been testing this new bar at the top of the interface with announcements. It showed three types of announcements; informational, minor issue and major issue announcements. These showed up in blue, yellow and red respectively. Although it is now gone, it was some sort of feature that Google did not want to be visible but if you missed it, here is what it looked  .

Google Ads now rolls out asset library – Google Ads has been rolling out the Google Creative Studio’s asset library feature directly in Google Ads. There has been talk of this in social media channels and a Google representative has confirmed it a few weeks back.

Google Asset Library is a repository that any creative agencies can use to upload and organise rich media creative assets. Assets can be used in multiple creative, so agencies can share them across various campaigns in their Studio account. They can easily pull them into new creatives. Now it is in Google Ads, not just the Studio’s Assets tab.

Bing Update

Microsoft Bing travel search has new features – Microsoft Bing mentions that it has new travel search features including suggested itineraries and inspiration, 360 immersive views, drink and dining information and coupons and deals. This currently is live in the United States. Below is what is new with these new travel search features in Bing.

• Suggested itineraries & inspiration – Users will see a section named “What to see & do” for the trip duration to get an idea of what your trip might look like. You can also click on “Book flights” or “Book hotels” to get a full-page booking experience.
• Coupons & deals – Microsoft has partnered with various sites to show competitive rates for your travel. They also offer packages of bundled hotel and flight experiences. You can also scroll down to the “Coupons & Deals” section to browse cost-conscious options for flights, trip packages, and more.
• 360 immersive views – Bing shows “stunning landscapes” it says when you click “Experience in 360” to check out immersive views.
• Drink & dining information – There is the “Eat & Drink” search carousel to start getting excited about the dishes and beverages you can expect to taste, Microsoft said.