It’s been a big week at Google This Week with another confirmed core algorithm update now rolling out. Plus, the second part of Google’s spam update was rolled out. There are also new features and updates for Google Analytics 4 users and news for advertisers with Google ending support for Broad Match Modifier keywords and Ad Pods now serving non-skippable in-stream ads.
ICYMI, here’s what happened at Google This Week.
- AdMob Mediated Revenue Now in Google Analytics 4
- New Guide on HTTP Status Codes, Network and DNS Errors
- Google Issues “It Looks Like These Results Are Changing Quickly” Notice
- Google Testing Seller Ratings in Search
- Google’s Spam Update Part 2 Rolls Out
- Google Shopping Policy Update on Payment Information
- Reminder: Google Ending Support for Broad Match Modifier Keywords
- Financial Services Advertisers in UK Must be Verified
- Google Updates Advice on Redirects and Google Search
- Ad Pods to Serve Non-skippable In-stream Ads
- Google Analytics 4 Launches Advertising Workspace
- Attribution Settings in Google Analytics Admin
- Google Analytics 4 Data API Now in Beta
- July 2021 Core Algorithm Update Now Rolling Out
AdMob Mediated Revenue Now in Google Analytics 4
AdMob mediated revenue will now be included in ad revenue metrics throughout Google Analytics 4 when data flow between the two products is enabled. The data will appear in reports as Ad Revenue. In the coming weeks, the data will be factored into user LTV and available in BigQuery exports.
New Guide on HTTP Status Codes, Network and DNS Errors
Google has published a new guide and help document on HTTP status codes and network or DNS errors and how they impact your Google Search performance. Previously, these HTTP status codes, network and DNS errors were not documented in detail.
Google Issues “It Looks Like These Results Are Changing Quickly” Notice
Google is now serving a notice in Google Search when you search for a topic that is rapidly evolving and a range of sources haven’t yet weighed in. The notice says “It looks like these results are changing quickly. If this topic is new, it can sometimes take time for results to be added by reliable sources.” Google recommends checking in again later if you receive the notice.
Google Testing Seller Ratings in Search
Google is now testing displaying seller ratings in organic search, a feature previously only seen in paid search results. Star ratings are shown based on the website’s rating in Google Merchant Center. The star ratings are showing up whether you have set up review rating structured data markup or not.
OK, I’ve now had more time to look into the new Seller Rating test. Definitely one of the more interesting organic feature developments in recent times. Application is actually broader than I thought (have added some updates to my post). https://t.co/ReA9jvC7wG pic.twitter.com/0ZxVFqZzNj
— Brodie Clark (@brodieseo) June 26, 2021
Google’s Spam Update Part 2 Rolls Out
Last week we reported that Google released a spam update to Google Search. The update was scheduled to roll out over one day in two parts. The second part of the spam update began on Monday and finished rolling out the same day. According to Google’s Danny Sullivan, both parts of the spam update were “global” updates that targeted both web results and image results.
The second part of our spam update has has begun today, and it will also conclude later today, unless we share otherwise.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) June 28, 2021
Google Shopping Policy Update on Payment Information
As of June 28, 2021, Merchants are no longer required to provide their accepted payment methods on their website before the checkout process. However, Merchants will still need to ensure at least one conventional payment method is available to customers during checkout.
Reminder: Google Ending Support for Broad Match Modifier Keywords
Back in February Google announced that they’re simplifying match types by combining the control of phrase match with the expanded reach of broad match modifier. Now both phrase and BMM keywords are the same. This means that keywords using the +keyword and “keyword” notations are now identical in how they match.
Starting in July, you will no longer be able to create new BMM keywords with the +keyword notation. Existing BMM keywords will continue to serve using the updated phrase matching behaviour. You will still be able to edit attributes of your BMM keywords including bid and status but to edit the keyword text you will be prompted to switch to phrase match.
Financial Services Advertisers in UK Must be Verified
Financial service advertisers in the UK need to be verified by Google by August 2021 to prevent suspension. The verification process includes proving that the advertiser is “authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority” or qualifies for an exemption, including “advertisers that do not promote financial services, but that have a compelling reason to target users who appear to be seeking financial services.”
Google Updates Advice on Redirects and Google Search
Google has significantly expanded the help guide on how Google Search handles various redirects. Google has expanded the help document to include why redirects are important and how they are handled for each type of redirect.
Ad Pods to Serve Non-skippable In-stream Ads
Ad pods (two ads served back-to-back) will soon be eligible to serve non-skippable in-stream ads on YouTube, in addition to skippable in-stream ads and bumpers. Ad pods are typically served to viewers watching longer-form content to reduce interruptions to their viewing experience.
“With this update, we will continue to minimize viewer interruptions while helping advertisers connect with their most important audiences.”
Google Analytics 4 Launches Advertising Workspace
Google Analytics 4 is launching the Advertising Workspace to make it easier for advertisers to find reporting, tools and resources. The workspace will contain the Advertising snapshot and Attribution reports.
Attribution Settings in Google Analytics Admin
Google Analytics is introducing an Attribution Settings page in Admin, where you can configure your reporting attribution model and lookback window.
You can use the Reporting attribution model section to select which attribution model you want to use to calculate conversion credit in your reports within your Analytics property. And you can also configure the lookback window to determine how far back in time a touchpoint is eligible for attribution credit.
Google Analytics 4 Data API Now in Beta
The Google Analytics Data API is now in Beta. This means that breaking changes will be uncommon and require 90 days notice. Also, the API now supports more metrics and dimensions than it did in the alpha version.
July 2021 Core Algorithm Update Now Rolling Out
The Google July 2021 core algorithm update is now rolling out. This update is the second part of the June 2021 core update. The update will take approximately one to two weeks to fully roll out.
During last month’s update Google said “some of our planned improvements for the June 2021 update aren’t quite ready, so we’re moving ahead with the parts that are, then we will follow with the rest with the July 2021 update.” This is a confirmed core algorithm update.
The July 2021 Core Update, previously announced, is now rolling out:https://t.co/6Xs77WDsur
These typically take 1-2 weeks to finish. Our guidance about such updates is here:https://t.co/e5ZQUA3RC6
Here’s more on how we improve search through updates:https://t.co/IBmInwGOiX
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) July 1, 2021
Thank You for Reading
Have you noticed any changes from Google this week?
Check back next Friday for the latest from Google This Week.
