Review counts matter more to local business revenue than star ratings, according to study
Womply also found businesses claiming their listings on multiple sites generated 58% more revenue than the average.
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Google to offer mandated ‘search choice’ to EU Android users in 2020
However, use of an auction for inclusion on the choice screen has some search rivals complaining.
Analysis of SMB site builders finds connection between vendor and rankings
WP Engine, Squarespace perform well, market-leader Wix does not.
Do local citations matter anymore? Five local SEOs sound off
A range of opinions about how much attention to devote to citations.
Google swaps ‘voice search’ on Android for Google Assistant
Goodbye voice search, hello Google Assistant. The company is swapping out the familiar blue and red mic in favor of its Assistant on the home screen of Android handsets. The news was first reported by 9to5google. After seeing the report, I turned on my Pixel XL this morning and there it was. We’ve asked Google […]
Google shortnames bug persists despite Google insisting it’s fixed
Google said any current problems with suspended listings is likely the result of content or policy violations.
Study: 48% of consumers use voice assistants for general web search
Despite concerns about accuracy and privacy, the Adobe survey presents a mostly positive outlook for voice and virtual assistants.
New site Hotspot Law like ZocDoc for lawyers
The startup is entering a mature vertical but one "in need of an upgrade."
Restaurants believe digital channels more important than consumers say they are
Online reviews cited by 48% of owners as influential; only 35% percent of consumers agreed.
Google says shortnames bug resolved, local listings restored
It's unclear yet whether the missing reviews issue has also been fixed.
Google shortnames and the case of the disappearing reviews
SEOs complained that adding shortnames to GMB profiles causes reviews to disappear or listings to be suspended. Google says it's working on it.
Alexa, Google Home now battling perception of being ‘surveillance’ devices
A new incident fuels the perception that smart speakers are spying on their owners.
Bullish forecast predicts 31 million Americans will ‘shop’ on their smart speakers in 2019
In this case, "shopping" doesn't include purchasing; however, digital goods and product re-ordering are also poised for growth.
What two big studies tell us about the state of local marketing
New research from SOCi and FreshChalk point toward best practices and reveal how most local marketers are failing to execute.
Google taking Ads API back to beta over performance issues
The company tells developers to use the AdWords API until problems are resolved.
Why search queries and location data could trump polling as political tools in 2020
Location intelligence will be used to identify and target voters, and predict election results.
Yelp offering more paid profile upgrades for business owners
These new subscription products are part of broader push by the company to enable more business profile customization and generate new revenues.
Google My Business adds more branding tools, introduces searchable @shortnames
The top 5% of local businesses in each category will also be eligible for a new "Local Favorite" badge.
Why search needs to be combined with awareness for maximum impact
TV and display will drive better performing search queries, which in turn can indicate the effectiveness of those channels themselves.
Marketers spending 43% of budgets on Google, Facebook, Amazon, want ‘alternatives’
It seems to be true even among brands and agencies that say the three outperform other platforms.
Is voice over-hyped? A new survey suggests lower adoption than previously thought
iPhones dominate usage, despite aggressive promotion of the Google Assistant.
Google brings the Assistant to Waze
Part of Google's Assistant everywhere strategy, Waze users will be able to 'avoid tolls' and 'report police' without touching the screen.
Apple Maps refresh: Better data, more detail and a new ‘street view’
New basemap data and 3D imagery power new 'Look Around' feature.
Reports: Google, Amazon to face new antitrust inquiries in changed political climate
Reportedly the DOJ will investigate Google and the FTC will take on Amazon.
Google moves hotel pricing chart into the SERP
By improving the consumer travel-search experience Google is also going after a larger share of travel-ad spending.
Google brings ‘end-to-end’ food ordering to Search, Maps, Google Assistant
This is part of a larger effort to own consumer transactions and help users "get things done" on Google.
The mobile, desktop split may have stabilized at roughly 60% – 40%
Hitwise found an average of 58.5% of searches were mobile, largely unchanged from two years ago.
Google brings personalized Shopping, local inventory and better checkout to U.S.
The redesign and new features aim to lure shoppers away from Amazon.
Google announces new ‘discovery’ ad formats, revamped Shopping experience, native placements at Google Marketing Live
The company also announced a new Google Shopping experience that aspires to be more competitive with Amazon.
Google Assistant moves from the cloud to the phone, now 10X faster
The faster Assistant will be available on Pixel phones 'later this year' and could become a major competitive advantage.
Key local stats every marketer needs to know
Stop thinking of local as "plumbers and restaurants," it's really about trillions in annual consumer spending.
Survey: More consumers trust accuracy of SMB websites over Google My Business
BrightLocal also found an overwhelming consumer preference for phone calls vs. other channels such as email and messaging.
Google bringing call intelligence and automation to SMBs, for $39 per month
The virtual agent builds upon existing technology and represents a new direction in local monetization for Google.
Local SEOs mixed, some peeved at idea of paying for Google My Business services
They recognized the logic – but many had strong criticisms.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to leave Alphabet board of directors
He will remain with the compain the very limited role of 'technical advisor.'
Google Q1 revenues $36.3 billion but miss Wall Street expectations
Mobile search and YouTube drove revenue gains, but growth of paid clicks has declined when compared with earlier quarters.
Younger users rely on snippets and knowledge panel, often don’t click, survey says
Yet 'position zero' doesn't always win says survey, which reveals relatively discerning users.
App-marketer spending on Apple Search Ads Grew by 90% in less than a year
The data come from Kenshoo's Q1 2019 Quarterly Trends Report, capturing trends from more than $6 billion in ad spend.
New European Google local SERPs prompt users to ‘find results on’ other sites
Google appears to be trying to prevent a formal local search antitrust complaint.
Google takes baby steps to monetize Google Assistant, Google Home
There's a multi-faceted revenue model starting to emerge.