Google has just raised the reviews bar for hotel listings. Google is testing a new “highly rated” addition to some hotel listings in the search results, which adds the highly rated note along with a thumbs up symbol. Sergey Alakov spotted the highly rated test and shared these screenshots of it. The threshold for earning the […]
Google Testing New Local Reviews Tab in Knowledge Panel
Google is testing a new format to showcase reviews in the local knowledge panel on mobile. Instead of the usual format, Google is testing placing the reviews in its own tab instead. Here is what it looks like, courtesy of Sergey Alakov who spotted the test. Sergey Alakov also created an image showing a user […]
Google Testing Hotel Rates Carousel in Search Results
Another day, another test from Google in their sponsored hotel rates listings. Now Google is testing a carousel of rates from various sources within the hotel knowledge panel. Sergey Alakov spotted the latest test. Here is what it looks like: The carousel scrolls sideways through the various rate offers from sponsors. The carousel version is […]
Google Soliciting Feedback on Hotel Knowledge Panel Accuracy
If you do a search for a hotel that brings up a hotel knowledge panel, you might be asked to give feedback on the accuracy of the listing and to make edits to improve it. Here is what it looks like within a search result: When you click on suggest an edit, it brings up […]
Google Testing Popover Banner for Hotel Rates in Search Results
Google is testing a new banner style call to action within their hotel knowledge panel on the mobile search results. When searching a hotel that has sponsored room rate listings, Google is showing a new floating banner on the bottom of the page with a link to view rates. Sergey Alakov made a GIF showing […]
Google My Business Showing Business Area Served in Knowledge Panel
Google My Business is testing a new feature in the knowledge panel for businesses to show an area served by the business. This could be related to businesses that serve an area larger than a city or town. Here is what it looks like on desktop: And on mobile. When you look at the area […]
Google Home Services Ads Adds Local Service Areas Map to Search Results
Google Home Services Ads has undergone yet another redesign. This time, they are highlighting the specific service areas that each individual business covers with a map shown right in the search results page. Here is what it looks like: And the map changes as you click other businesses in the Home Services Ads local ad […]
Google Partner Program Changes Target AdWords, SEO & Local Services Misleading Claims
Google has updating their policies to govern what many in the industry have a major issue with – agencies and individuals making wildly false claims about their association with Google for organic, paid and local listings. For SEOs, many are upset with the misuse of the Partner badges to imply that Google is either endorsing […]
Bing Adds “Pokestop Nearby” to Restaurant Filtering Options
If you are a Pokemon Go player, you will be happy to know that Bing has added a new sorting option for their restaurant filtering – filtering by nearby Pokestops. When you search for a nearby restaurant, either by location or by restaurant type, they have added a new filter from the drop down menu […]
Google Showing AMP Carousels for Local Review Sites
It appears that Google is now showing AMP carousels for local review sites in the Google search results. The carousel can appear as the first organic search result, following the local map pack. Here is what it looks like: This particular carousel seems to have AMP only results. By comparison, here is the same carousel […]