SEO Wash-up Monday 5th September 2022

Google Update

Google tests search bar with refinements mixed with vertical navigation – Google has been testing a mix the search bar, so where you normally see the vertical search options like videos, maps, images, shopping, news, Google is also showing refinements for your searches.

Google products carousel displays now show product reviews under ‘Appears On These Lists’ – Google now has a section named “appears on these lists” that will show you that product review content or even a comparison lists, which mentions the product you are looking at. This works both on desktop and mobile and is displayed after you click on a product in the product carousel or product grid on mobile.

There has been chatter and screenshots of this on social media, where it mentions that Google is linking to affiliate review sites from the popular products carousel under “Appears on these lists”. It appears just below “Top insights”. Another example of how Google is taking efforts to provide users with more reviews information review info Google trusts.

Google is now showing three local service ads listings – Google now shows three local service ads listings in both the mobile and desktop interface. So before, Google used to show two local service ads listings, but users on social media pointed out that Google is now showing three. The desktop interface has had three for some time, but mobile generally has shown only two listings.

Google local service ads has been seeing many fake reviews – Google’s Local Service Ads is meant to be screened, guaranteed, and reviewed by someone contracted by Google. However, the reviews in many Local Service Ads are filled with fake reviews some users claim.

As mentioned about how Google is now showing three local services ads on mobile, instead of two. On social media there is talk of all of these listings that are spam but Google has refused to take action.

Google hotel listings has a new ‘featured in’ section – Google hotel results usually shows a lot of information about the actual hotel listing, but users now believe that there may be new is a section called “Featured In.” This section shows you articles that mention the hotel, so you can read third-party reviews of the hotel.

Google has been testing to explore more search refinement for product queries – Google again seem to be testing yet another refinement feature named “explore more.” This is in addition to the product grids, and popular products and refine by search features. This looks similar to the refine by search feature but takes up less real estate.