SEO Wash-up Monday 23rd August 21
Google Updates
New Google merchant centre needs improvement policy status – Google has mentioned that it requires all merchants to meet certain professional and editorial standards on their websites. So, merchants with websites that do not meet basic requirements will see a ‘website needs improvement’ policy status and have their accounts suspended until requirements are met. They say that this policy is intended to protect users from poor shopping experiences, such as incomplete websites, confusing or inaccurate product information, broken links on the website, etc.
Furthermore, Google mentions that in order to provide a quality user experience, it requires that all Shopping ads meet high professional and editorial standards. “We only allow promotions that are clear and professional in appearance”. These ads should lead users to products and landing pages that are relevant, useful, and easy to interact with.
So, if you get the website needs improvement notice, Google says you should first make sure that your website is fully-functional, has content specific to your business and the information available is easy to understand and complete. Your website shouldn’t have broken links, templated content, or placeholders of text or images.”
Google now allows Cryptocurrency ads – The search giant has said that from August 3, advertisers offering Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets targeting the United States may advertise those products and services when they meet the following requirements and are certified by Google. In order to be certified by Google, advertisers will need to:
- You need to be duly registered with either;
(a)FinCEN as a Money Services Business and with at least one state as a money transmitter;
(b) a federal or state chartered bank entity.
- Comply with relevant legal requirements, including any local legal requirements, whether at a state or federal level.
- Ensure their ads and landing pages comply with all Google Ads policies
It says that advertisers must request new Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Wallets certification with Google when the application form is published on July 8, 2021. Any certifications prior to that date will not be accepted. Google also gave examples of ads that are not allowed:
(1) Ads for initial coin offerings, DeFi trading protocols, or otherwise promoting the purchase, sale, or trade of cryptocurrencies or related products. For example, ICO pre-sales or public offerings, cryptocurrency loans, initial DEX offerings, token liquidity pools, celebrity cryptocurrency endorsements, unhosted wallets, unregulated DApps.
(2) Ad destinations that aggregate or compare issuers of cryptocurrencies or related products. For example, Cryptocurrency trading signals, cryptocurrency investment advice, aggregators or affiliate sites containing related content or broker reviews.