There have been some exciting updates at Google This Week with Google’s new map and local interface in search, Google Ads image extensions to desktop devices, and Google Ads API new features.
ICYMI, here’s what happened at Google This Week.
- Upgrade to the Google Ads API for even more features
- Google Ads brings image extensions to desktop devices
- Top Google searches of 2021: 7/10 sports related
- Google rolling out new map and local interface in search
- Google Updates Search Results For News Stories On Desktop
Upgrade to the Google Ads API for even more features
The Google Ads API has been updated to support Performance Max campaigns, Keyword Planner and recommendations. Google is also reminding advertisers that the AdWords API will be deprecated in April 2022, which will be replaced by the Google Ads API.
Performance Max campaigns are a new way for you to reach potential customers across YouTube, Display, Search, Discover, Gmail and Google Maps. They complement keyword-based Search campaigns and use automation to help you grow conversions and value across all of Google’s advertising channels and inventory from a single campaign.
Google Ads brings image extensions to desktop devices
Google Ads will begin rolling out image extensions to desktop devices in the coming weeks. This update also applies to dynamic image extensions.
Image extensions complement your Search ad with relevant visuals of your products and services. This makes it easy for potential customers to learn about your business and take action. Previously, image extensions only showed on mobile devices.
Dynamic image extensions use machine learning to automatically select the most relevant images from your ad’s landing page and append them to your ad. Once you opt in, we’ll add images from your landing pages to their corresponding ad groups in your Search campaigns. Previously, dynamic image extensions were only available in English. Now, they’re available for all languages.
Top Google searches of 2021: 7/10 sports related
Google has published the top ten trending searches in Australia for 2021, seven of the top ten being sport-related with COVID searches at the top of the news category.
In a blog post about the trends, Google Australia communications and public affairs manager Camilla Ibrahim said: “Our obsession with sport shines through again this year, as the top seven queries overall relate to basketball, footy, cricket, tennis and the Olympics. Despite restrictions on events and travel, we tuned in to cheer on our teams, track scores and share in the moments that made history. Both homegrown and international female athletes were standouts this year. We celebrated Ash Barty’s heroic win at Wimbledon, Ariarne Titmus’ Olympic triumph – and followed the journeys and resilience of Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles and Emma Raducanu.”
Google rolling out new map and local interface in search
Google has confirmed that the search company is rolling out a new local pack and map design in the Google Search results. The new design moves the map to the right side of the local search results, often called a “local pack,” for the desktop search results.
The old design with the map at the top and the local results below the map:
The new design showing the map to the right side of the local search results:
Google Updates Search Results For News Stories On Desktop
Google changes how search results for news stories are presented on desktop by grouping together multiple results for the same story. This update is now in effect, which brings news results on desktop in line with how they’re presented in Google Search on mobile devices.
This new structure will make more room for quality content–beyond just the most recent coverage–as well as a range of sources to bring more context and perspective to the day’s news.
Thank You for Reading
Have you noticed any changes from Google this week?
Check back next Friday for the latest from Google This Week.
