SEO Wash-up Monday 3rd October 2022

Google Update

Google guaranteed local ads adds reviews not guaranteed disclaimer – Google now has added a label on the Google Guaranteed Local Service Ads reviews to say the reviews are not guaranteed. This I guess comes as no surprise with all the Google Local Service Ads spam and junk we have been noticing recently.

Google image search uses Google lens – Google Images on images.google.com now uses Google Lens when you click on the upload a photo icon. Although it has been coming for a long time, now it is finally fully here.

Google tests expandable maps in search & tabs in map results – Google has been testing an expandable map feature in the Google search for when you see the map load in mobile SERPs. This is instead of when you click on the map and it takes you into Google Maps, Google is just expanding the map screen larger and adds a link to go to Google Maps. Also, Google is testing tabs in the business profile via in Google Maps.

Bing Update

Bing shopping SERPs has gained coupons, promotions, price history & more – Microsoft Bing Shopping has now rolled out various features such as coupons and promotions, price history, and ethical choice annotations.

• Coupon codes – Bing added coupons and promotions, like how you see on other coupon websites. Microsoft mentioned that if you decide to click in and do some shopping, the coupon will be automatically copied and applied to your purchase. All of this is made possible by quick and easy annotation links found within your search results. Furthermore, Microsoft said this is now available in US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France.
• Price history – For some products, Bing will show you the price history of the products you are searching for. Bing mentions that they are adding an annotation that reveals an item’s pricing over time. This graph helps determine if it’s the right time to buy. You can feel better about your purchase knowing that the price has recently gone down or may decide to hold off if it was significantly cheaper in the past. Also, this feature is available across US, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, and India
• Ethical Choice Annotations – The Ethical Shopping hub expands with new ethical choice annotations in the Bing Shopping results.