Google testing new ways to show ads in the new Google Maps!

Google recently announced an enhanced version of its popular Google Maps service, and now the company provided a glimpse of the future of Google Maps at the annual platform development events.

The new Google Maps will offer unique maps for each person that gets more relevant with every click, highlighting the things which matter the most. 

Google revealed that they are testing new ways to show ads in  the new Google Maps. 

• Users will see search ads with location extensions directly on the map, below the search box
• Users will see search ads without location, below the search box

Google suggest the best way to have your ads seen by potential customers in the new Google Maps is to run search ads with location extensions and ensure to include  search partners in your campaign network settings to appear on Google Maps.

'Ok Google' - A multi-screen and conversational search experience!

The computers of the future will understand natural language and speak back to us, Google has suggested.

At the Google I/O conference, the company rolled out "OK, Google," which is a universal version of the Siri-style of conversational interaction. But instead of being solely on the phone, it will also work on your desktop via Chrome.

Google announced smart content recommendations for your mobile website!

Google has announced smart content recommendations for your mobile website. The new feature is a mix of Google Search and Google+, that feed appropriate content on the basis of recommendations earned from social media service Google+.

The recommendations are on the basis of popular articles viewed by Google+ users and search authorship signals. In case you don't want to read further, all you need to do is tap the G+ option. 

Google also talked about its plan to have more in Google+ content recommendations and Google+ Sign-in. It is also looking forward to add more than 50 companies who have already integrated Google+ Sign In to share their stories from Google I/O.

Google’s Matt Cutts: What should we expect in the next few months in terms of SEO for Google?

Google’s Matt Cutts provided a rundown of what Google’s webspam team has planned for the coming months, and what it means for webmasters. It involves the Penguin update, the Panda update, advertorials, hacked sites, link spam, and a lot more.

Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQmQeKU25zg

 

 

Consumer Spending Trends on Mother's day!

According to a research by the National Retail Federation and BIGinsight: Consumer spending is forecast to be up 11 percent this year for Mother's Day, showing an average of $168.94 spent in celebration. The NRF 2013 Mother’s Day consumer spending survey was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to the Mother’s Day holiday.

The survey found 14.1 percent of shoppers this Mother's Day will spend more than $2.3 billion on electronics, up from $1.6 billion last year. Additionally, gift givers will splurge on a special outing, such as brunch or dinner ($3.5 billion), flowers ($2.3 billion), gift cards ($2.0 billion), clothing or clothing accessories ($1.7 billion), and personal service gifts, such as a day at the spa ($1.5 billion). 

Google began rolling out Ad group level mobile bid adjustments!

Google announced that Ad group level mobile bid adjustments are now available in many Google AdWords enhanced campaign accounts, with more accounts being added.

Another change is that you can now set bulk bid adjustments for locations, dayparts and devices.

These new changes are also active through AdWords Editor, for those AdWords customers using the editor to create, edit and manage their AdWords ads.

These changes are being made in hopes that greater flexibility will increase CPC values when AdWords customers can easily increase bids on segments that are performing well for them.

YouTube Trends Map is here!

If you are wondering what the world is watching on YouTube, Now, with the YouTube Trends Map, it will be a matter of few clicks to get regional breakdowns of popular videos, filter videos on the basis of age demographics & gender, and do much more.

Currently, available just for the U.S., The Trends Map will let you know if the video you have shared on Facebook is popular in other parts of the country. Or the new viral video that you have produced has gained traction in the entire country.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Google!

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and to help you out, Google announced that it has launched a special Mother’s Day page to help sons and daughters everywhere to plan an extra special day for their mothers.

The page includes a gift guide, a guide to local florists, and an offer to send a tech care package to help your technologically deficient mother get on the Internet so you can chat it up in a Google+ hangout.

Google will be hosting a number of events this week to share some ideas; they will be suggesting “creative ideas” to make this Mother’s Day “a day your mom won’t forget.” Google has also set up a Mother’s Day Guide Google+ community for people to share ideas and stories with each other.

Google on The Importance of Online Reviews!

As part of the “Friday 15″ series for small business owners, Google has shared a video discussing the importance of online reviews.

It features Whitney Lemon from Google’s’ “Get Your Business Online” team and Cody Julian, the associate marketing manager at Google Fiber.

According to a study Julian cites, seventy percent of Americans say they look at product reviews before making a purchase decision.

Here is the video:

 

“Google Now” now available on iOS!

Google Now is a reflection of how the future of search will slowly and gradually change and will be different from its past. Google Now is a combination of search/web history, data, and context. It gives a lot of personalized information to users even if they haven't asked for it. The feature pushes information to people on the basis of their location and activities. It has more holistic understanding of the needs of users and delivers data in an informative & coherent way.

Google Now was exclusively available on Android devices running on Jelly Bean or higher OS versions. Recently Google has made Google Now available on iOS in a new update to the Search app for iPhones and iPads.

The app is available in the App Store.

Google Now is expected to come to Google’s Chrome browser, and possibly even the Google homepage in the future.