TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

Google is launching its new “Panda” update now over the coming weeks. Search results will change. And the search giant is showing a lot of information to you about what it knows about your location if you use its location services. Amazon continues trying new things including a grocery service where you pick up your shopped order. And the Emmy nominees for Best Commercial are out–all on one page for easy viewing.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype.

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Major Google Update Rolling Out Now Over “A Few Months”

That’s what Googler Gary Ilyes confirmed to Search Engine Roundtable this week. Gary says that when done, 2%-3% of ALL search queries will be affected.

Google Knows Where You've Been & How Long You Were There
Google Knows Where You’ve Been & How Long You Were There

Have an Android phone with location services turned on? Google will show you a timeline of everywhere you were, matched with pictures you took along the way. It’s fun, frightening or both. But you can only see yours. Unless you’re the NSA.

Amazon Groceries: Order online, Pickup at the store

Amazon will be testing a grocery store pick up location in tech-heavy Sunnyvale, CA according to the San Jose Business Journal. It’s the latest Amazon move off-line.

Google Is Now Rolling Out A New Interface For Hotel Finder

Google confirms they are rolling out a new Hotel Finder Search interface in the local results this week. Their stated mission: catalog all of the world’s information. Not a good day for lodging search websites.

AD OF THE WEEK

The Six Commercials Nominated for an Emmy this Year
The Six Commercials Nominated for an Emmy this Year

Not Ad of the Week. Relive 6 ads of the week on one page. We’re pulling for “Like A Girl”.

 

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

Search heats up during July’s dog days as Google unveils new mobile advertising features and Microsoft BIng counters with terrific demographics from its site. Meanwhile, Adobe Flash continues struggling as Firefox blocks it from the browser, and a firm in a unique position is hiring a Search Engine Optimization Manager.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype.

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Google Officially Launches Buy Button on Mobile
Google Officially Launches Buy Button on Mobile

We told you last month that this was coming: Google has launched BUY NOW buttons on mobile. Google also says that desktop buy rates are 2x mobile buy rates–something we’ve also recently shared from our own clients.

Firefox Blocks Flash
Firefox Blocks Flash

Mozilla has officially blocked Flash from working in its browser. Facebook’s security head wants the date when Flash is discontinued. It’s time to change now if there is any Flash on your organization’s website.

Google is Hiring An SEO Manager--Don't Say You Don't Need One Too
Google is Hiring An SEO Manager–Don’t Say You Don’t Need One Too

It’s not a joke or an act. Google is hriing a “Program Manager, Search Engine Optimization”. You can read the jargon-filled job description or accept the fact that there are SO MANY ranking signals that even Google needs someone to monitor and advocate for SEO.

Bing Says 33% of Audience Makes $100K or Better
Bing Says 33% of Audience Makes $100K or Better

Bing has released new stats. Some we all knew– about a third of the continent’s searches go through BIng after all. But 33% with a household income (HHI) of more than $100K? 47% college or better with 15% grad school? Impressive numbers!

AD OF THE WEEK

Girls Are Unstoppable in Next Phase of Always 'Like a Girl' Campaign | Adweek
Girls Are Unstoppable in Next Phase of Always ‘Like a Girl’ Campaign | Adweek

P&G won every award possible with last year’s “Like A Girl” campaign. Here is this year’s followup.

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

You may have read about “the right to be forgotten”, that is, removed from search engine results. It’s happening in Europe now, and an American consumer group wants it to happen here. Meanwhile, Google is testing a “read now” ad that takes you directly into content while announcing more delays in its major search engine changes. And a new study confirms our experience that computer buyers are spending more than mobile buyers.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype.

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Consumer group wants Google give Americans the ‘right to be forgotten’ online

Consumer Watchdog wants the FTC to investigate Google for giving the right to be forgotten to European Internet users, but not Americans.

Google AdWords Read Now Ads to Google Play
Google AdWords Read Now Ads to Google Play

Pete Meyers from Moz.com spotted potentially a new ad format from Google named “Read Now. Clicking from the ad takes the user into a book or eBook or PDF or other atypical content.

Desktop Shoppers Outspend Mobile Buyers
Desktop Shoppers Outspend Mobile Buyers

This is very important information. We are seeing this trend with just about every client that directly sells online.

Google Big Updates Delayed Again
Google Big Updates Delayed Again

The famous Panda update is delayed again. The Penguin update is “months away”. Some are speculating November. What does that mean for you? Changes in search results from now to the winter holidays.

AD OF THE WEEK

Under Armour Honors Misty Copeland With Hashtag That Led to a Car Full of Flowers | Adweek
Under Armour Honors Misty Copeland With Hashtag That Led to a Car Full of Flowers | Adweek

Under Armour wins dancers after Misty Copeland was named the first African American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history. They made a social extravaganza!