SMX Overtime: The new realities of local search
SEO expert Damian Rollison offers insights into the sites that matter for local search and ranking besides Google My Business, and why you should put some time into managing all of them.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is both the name of a consumer-facing assistant baked into consumer products as well as a platform designed to allow the Google search engine to interact with users in a conversational manner.
Google Assistant was announced in May 2016. It first appeared integrated into Google’s communication app Allo in September 2016. In October 2016, it was made part of the Google Pixel phone. In November 2016, it was put into the Google Home device. In February 2017, it came to Android Wear watches. In March 2017, it was widely released for Android phones running Android 6 and 7.
Google plans to add Google Assistant into more products and applications, but it hasn’t said what those will be.
For more about Google Assistant, see our stories below.
Back to Basics: A beginners guide to voice search and digital assistants in 2019
Here's a roundup of the various digital assistants on the market today with some beginner tips on how to optimize for voice search.
Duplex-powered Google Assistant restaurant booking expanding to more states and users
Available on Pixel phones, it will be rolling out to other Android and iOS users in the near future.
Voice gaining on mobile browser as top choice for smartphone-based search
Since 2018, voice has become more users' first choice for mobile search.
Google Assistant everywhere: more dedicated buttons, expansion on lower-end phones
The company is also adding local search suggestions in Messages.
SMBs bullish on virtual assistants, think Alexa has biggest marketing potential
Don't focus on the specific numbers, the interesting thing is the sentiment.
Coveted featured snippet space is more exclusive than you think, study shows
A new study on featured snippets in Google shows you how competitive this search real estate can be.
Google Actions vs. Alexa Skills is the next big App Store battle
There are thousands of Skills and Actions but very few people are using them.
SearchCap: Google Assistant ads, Google Maps reply to reviews & waitlists
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google enables ‘join waitlist’ for restaurantsFeb 13, 2019 by Greg Sterling Functionality is provided by DineTime as part of Reserve with Google. Google tests ads in Assistant resultsFeb 13, 2019 by […]
Google tests ads in Assistant results
With the Assistant now on a billion devices, the move was inevitable.
SearchCap: Bing Ads targets, Google AMA & Google Maps AR
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Is Google Maps what augmented reality has been waiting for?Feb 11, 2019 by Greg Sterling AR walking directions could be a breakthrough application for the industry. Bing Ads multiple language targeting: […]
Optimizing content for voice search and virtual assistants for a competitive edge
Learn from SMX West presenters about specific tactics SEOs can use to create content for voice and how to roll out voice search campaigns.
SearchCap: Google XML sitemaps, Amazon ads & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Managing sitemap XML with Google Search ConsoleFeb 8, 2019 by Detlef Johnson What to look for in Search Console indexing reports, plus learn why and how to create a dynamic Sitemap […]
Google adds voice input and spoken results to mobile web search
The search giant appears to be conditioning searchers to use voice across all platforms.
Microsoft seeks more Cortana distribution, deeper integration on Android, iOS
We're heading toward a voice-first world for publishers, retailers and brands.
Google Assistant updates: Airline check-ins, hotel bookings, language translation and Maps
The business model for Google Assistant may be transactions over advertising.
Google buys expert community and ‘answer engine’ Superpod for $60 million
The speculation is that Superpod founders and assets will be used to improve Google Assistant.
PPC 2018 in Review: These changes will have the biggest impact on advertisers in 2019
Significant shifts toward more automation affected nearly every aspect of the paid search landscape in 2018, and there were other important developments that will have a lasting impact in the new year.
SEO Year In Review: 2018 saw Google updates and a focus on mobile
Here is our recap of what happened in SEO in 2018 - with links and summaries of some of the bigger changes throughout the year in search and SEO.
Google Home wins smart speaker IQ test but Siri beats Alexa and Cortana
Alexa had the most noticeable improvement according to the test results, nearly matching Google for general information queries.
SearchCap: Google mobile first indexing rolling, YouTube ads & Google Home for local
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google’s mobile-first indexing now powers over half of Google’s search resultsDec 19, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Google issued an update on the status of its mobile-first indexing initiative. 3 prospecting features […]
SearchCap: Google Search Console report change, Google Shopping expands & SinglePlatform with Moz
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Do men and women value online reviews differently? Dec 14, 2018 by Jamie Pitman New research suggests there is an opportunity for businesses to get ahead of their competitors by generating […]
SearchCap: Google related searches, YouTube call to actions & Conductor Actions
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google updates related searches to show image thumbnails, featured snippet-style resultsDec 13, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Featured snippets are now used in the related searches section in Google’s mobile results. YouTube […]
Google updates related searches to show image thumbnails, featured snippet-style results
Featured snippets are now used in the related searches section in Google's mobile results.
Here’s your exclusive insider look of SMX West
TL;DR: Here’s my epic 3,000-word preview of all the sessions, speakers and networking you’ll experience at SMX West. Read a little or read it all. Then register by 11:59pm Saturday, December 22 and save big with Early Bird rates. Search Engine Land’s SMX® West, the go-to event for search marketers, returns to San Jose January 30-31. […]
SearchCap: Google hack removal, Allo goes goodbye & responsive search ads
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google rolling out more features for responsive search ads, adding 10 languagesDec 6, 2018 by Ginny Marvin New tools in the web interface are designed to make creating RSAs easier. Missed […]
Google shutting down Allo, where Google Assistant made its debut
The company is investing in Duo and Android Messages, where it says it's seeing consumer traction.
SearchCap: Google’s filter bubble, live streams in search & exact match naming
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google search now supports live streams with Indexing API, structured dataDec 5, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Do you live stream video content? Here is a new way to get more exposure […]
Google search now supports live streams with Indexing API, structured data
Do you live stream video content? Here is a new way to get more exposure for that content in Google Search and Google Assistant.
SearchCap: Bing in SwiftKey, Google My Business API & Intent Lab search insights
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing teams up with Intent Lab to add deeper AI-powered insights to searchNov 29, 2018 by Robin Kurzer The partnership aims to provide deeper insights to help marketers align their messaging […]
SearchCap: Google Assistant via Siri, Google video & images & paid search trends
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: 6 ways to boost organic video resultsNov 21, 2018 by Joe Goers The importance of video marketing continues to grow and video SEO is an effective way to differentiate your brand […]
Google Assistant iOS app adds Siri shortcut, making it easier for iPhone users to say Okay Google
iPhone users can now trigger "OK Google" by just asking Siri.
Redesigned iOS Cortana app looks better but adoption challenges remain
Because of a 'structural' disadvantage vs. rivals, Cortana will likely need something more radical to break through.
SearchCap: Google My Business app, Bing ads insights & web site trust
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing Ads’ Competition Tab offers new insights, recommendationsNov 14, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Now rolled out globally, advertisers can access deeper Auction Insights and machine learning-powered recommendations. Google releases improved GMB […]
Cortana loses its chief after only 8 months
Microsoft is an AI leader but Cortana lags its rivals in distribution.
SearchCap: Google Assistant GMB setting, voice assistance & SMX West
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: The age of voice assistance and a new input paradigmNov 2, 2018 by Eric Enge SMX East’s opening keynote from Google’s Naomi Makofsky outlined how marketers can find opportunities for the […]
The age of voice assistance and a new input paradigm
SMX East's opening keynote from Google's Naomi Makofsky outlined how marketers can find opportunities for the explosion of conversationally powered experiences with customers.
Google asks SMBs if they’ll accept calls from Google Assistant
Google is testing business owner interest in receiving calls from an AI robot.
Google Home Hub: An SEO perspective
It might be time to start focusing more on creating YouTube videos for your content with the release of the Google Home Hub.
Survey: 88 percent seek driving directions after a local voice search
9 out of 10 consumers use a voice assistant on their smartphones; 41 percent say they use it daily.