Google has rolled out a number of updates to its tools in July 2020
Google has rolled out a number of updates to its tools in July 2020. Another busy month in the world of Google and Google search. We’ve summarised the latest updates below:
New mortgage feature box on Google
Google has released a new search feature in the mobile SERPs for mortgage related searches. Rather than just the mortgage calculator feature that has been around since 2015. The new feature box displays more on the finer details of buying a mortgage.
This feature is nested below the Ads at the top of the SERPs. It has several tabs that breaks down the below categories that most users want to know when researching mortgages. These options span across serving informational queries from users, looking to discover more about mortgages, and all topical, relevant news.
Google Search Console adds image license structured data support
In July Google added support for image license structured data across Google Search Console and the Rich Results test tool. The markup allows webmasters to add licensing information to content in Google Images, giving credit to photographers and image owners in Google like never before.
The label is displayed on the image result with links through to the website where the image can be purchased, as well as a link to the license details.
Credit: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/data-types/image-license-metadata
The new report in Search Console is available under the ‘Enhanced reports’ section and allows users to see whether their markup has been implemented correctly.
Credit: https://searchengineland.com/google-search-console-adds-image-license-structured-data-support-338469
Why is this important?
The new section in the Search Console ‘Enhanced reports’ will allow users to monitor how their implementation of the image licensing structured data is indexed over time. It will also allow them to diagnose issues with the structured data, using tools such as the Rich Results Test Tool.
Google adds News filter to the Google Search Console
On July 21st 2020 Google added a new news filter to Google Search Console performance report. This new filter allows users to filter by results that appear in the News tab of Google Search. The new feature also allows webmasters to compare the data to traffic received from other sources, such as Web, Image and Video.
Why is this important?
More data is always a good thing. The news filter will allow webmasters, particularly those with a large informational content strategy, to dissect the traffic they receive from this area and plan their content strategies accordingly.
Google Maps Launches Social Profiles
Credit: https://maps.google.com/localguides
On July 30th 2020, Google Maps globally rolled out a new social network powered by Google Maps. This social profile was stemmed from Google Maps’ Local Guides review launched back in 2015 to compete with Yelp Elites, allowing Google Map contributors to create in-depth business reviews and post images, helping other Google Map users to learn more about that specific location.
Five years on, Google officially expanded the functionality of their own profiles that other users can follow. It will be interesting to follow the impact this has, and how this benefits brick and water stores across the globe.
BrightLocal has explained in detail what a Google Local Guide is, how to get perks, and how to become a local guide here.
Why is this important?
- Being launched globally and with a rewards system in place by Google, user-generated content that is being relied on with this new network, it’s crucial that Google actively monitors the contributions made ensuring they’re not attempting to manipulate Google or harm the business.
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