SEO Wash-up Monday 7th November 2022

Google Update

Google shopping chat feature on product results – On Google shopping they are either testing or possibly have launched a new chat feature in the product search results. There has been chatter and screenshots shared on social media about this. You may have to configure the chat options and hours in Google Merchant Centre or maybe this works through Google Business Profiles when products are integrated.

Google search “More Hotels” grid layout – It seems that Google search has a grid layout option labelled “more hotels.” This is even when Google shows the hotel listings sections, other hotel listings, explore more hotels, and now also this “more hotels” four grid layout. This has been shared on social media with screenshot and how the grid looks like.

Google review guidelines updated – Google now has updated its Google Maps contributor guidelines to disallow “discouraging or prohibiting negative reviews, or selectively soliciting positive reviews from customers.” It was added to the guidelines under deceptive content and fake engagement section. Here is the new line that was added, “discouraging or prohibiting negative reviews, or selectively soliciting positive reviews from customers.”

A while back, Google added to its guidelines where businesses were not allowed to incentivize those who leave negative reviews to remove those reviews. So now it seems Google is getting tougher with the review guidelines, really tough.

Bing Update

Microsoft Advertising gains performance max import, data exclusion, automated extensions & many more – Microsoft Advertising has rolled out a bunch of new features in its October 2022 release schedule. These features include the ability to import your Google’s performance max data, new data exclusion features, more automated extension controls, and much more.

Below is a brief list of the features:

• Google’s Import solution for Performance Max is generally available
• Intent based marketing with Microsoft Audience Network
• New Video Ads in Microsoft Audience Network
• Microsoft Audience Network expanding into 66 new markets
• Smart Campaigns now available in six new markets
• Automated bidding and Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) now available in the Japanese market
• Data exclusions for automated bidding now in open beta
• Automated extensions update: URL tracking now enabled
• Asset Library now globally available
• Doctors and clinic ads are now available in closed beta