Google tests Knowledge Graph expansion (US) – 26th July 2012 This week Google seem to be running more tests to improve the Knowledge Graph addition to the search engine results page (SERP). After we brought you news last week that Bing had introduced FourSquare data into the new social column introduced in US, this week Google seem to be reacting by testing new changes to their own 3rd column known as the Knowledge Graph. While we have not seen the full extent of this Knowledge Graph in the UK yet, it will only be time before these features develop over here. This testing is just another indication of where search looks to be heading. Users are expecting more information from their search engines, with Bing and Google making every effort to introduce more social, more information and more images into the standard SERP. It is yet to be seen how much impact this will have on paid and organic search results and whether or not this will distract the user. Will it mean less clicks for advertisers as attention is deflected to social, organic or images displayed, or will this information mean that users are more well informed before clicking, so conversions will become cheaper as only truly interested users will click? Let us know you thoughts by tweeting #SL52 @SearchLately. – Kevin Ting More Details: http://searchengineland.com/googles-expandable-knowledge-graph-test128545
Mixed messages from Google concerning ‘unnatural’ links – 25th July 2012 Early in April several site owners received messages instructing them that the big G had noticed some ‘artificial’ links pointing towards their site and recommended making changes so that the site meets Google’s quality guidelines. Of course at the end of April the Penguin update that was designed to tackle spammy sites came into effect which panicked site owners even more. Then last month Google once again sent out more notices warning webmasters that their sites may be at risk of losing rankings if their linkscape wasn’t amended to Google guidelines. Then in a surprise move this month Google sent out messages explaining that they were now reviewing links on an individual basis and that webmasters should not panic about their previous messages.
This is very confusing from Google not only for the fact that they don’t even seem to know how they should handle ‘artificial’ links but also because of the fact that there will always be poor quality links pointing towards certain websites that cannot be removed. So when a website finds itself in such a position it is pretty much stuck at the mercy of Google to decide its fate in the rankings and with no way to tell Google which links a website wishes to have removed from consideration makes the whole process rather unfair as this leaves the door wide open to negative SEO. Let us know you thoughts by tweeting #SL52 @SearchLately. – Alex Pye More Details: searchengineland.com/insanity-google-sends-new-link-warnings-then-saysyou-can-ignore-them-128297
Google+ in Google Search results – 24th July 2012 In the past few days Google has rolled out a new experimental Share button in place of the +1 button in English-language search results. The new Share button makes it easier to share and comment on website links directly from the SERPs. The Share link is placed next to the result and allows users to share their favourite websites publicly or just to their circles, along with posting the link to their Google+ stream. The Share link works similarly to the ‘old’ Google+ button: as you move the cursor over it, it switches from red font on a light background to light font on a red background after being clicked, and creates a pop-up box that allows you to share your favourite links on your Google+ stream and comment on it. This experiment is the latest step in tying together company’s search and social networking platforms that has been created so far, creating new opportunities to integrate social networks with content across the web.
Let us know you thoughts by tweeting #SL52 @SearchLately. – Antonella Mele More details: www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407385,00.asp www.searchnewz.com/topstory/news/sn-220120723NowGoogleSearchResultsGetaGoogleShareLink.html
New “Targeted Tweet” Feature in Twitter Advertising – 19th July 2012 Twitter has announced the launch of targeted Tweets globally. Targeted Tweets enables brands to reach specific audiences on Twitter without first sending a Tweet to all followers. It includes device-targeting and geotargeting. Mobile app providers who only want to reach customers on mobile device can do so without also sending the message to desktop users. Global brands that have different launch dates for different countries can send tailored messages at different times, customized for the users in each country. Here’s a targeted Promoted Tweet that British Airways sent to its UK followers during the beta test:
This feature can be accessed using the newly enhanced Tweet box in ads.twitter.com. As with all Promoted Tweets, advertisers only pay when users engage with it, and Tweets that generate the most engagement are likely to appear more often. Let us know you thoughts by tweeting #SL52 @SearchLately. – Blair Liu More details: advertising.twitter.com/2012/07/new-targeting-adds-greater-relevanceto.html searchenginewatch.com/article/2193591/Twitter-Now-Lets-AdvertisersGeotarget-Promoted-Tweets