A lot of interesting changes at Google This Week with an interactive Google Search local pack, required double verification for some Google Business Profiles, roll out of Google Page Experience update for desktop, trafficking and reporting updates on Campaign Manager 360, and more.
ICYMI, here’s what happened at Google This Week.
- Reporting Updates on Campaign Manager 360
- Google Limit Ads Over Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
- Trafficking Updates on Campaign Manager 360
- Interactive Google Search Local Pack
- App Campaign Placement Data From Google Ads and AdWords API Reports
- Google URL Inspection Tool Bug Leading to Errors
- Google Ends Support for Creation and Editing of Expanded Text Ads
- Required Double Verification for Some Google Business Profiles
- Roll Out of Google Page Experience Update for Desktop
Reporting Updates on Campaign Manager 360
Google teases Nielsen reports in Campaign Manager 360 offline report builder will be removed, including any scheduled reports and any related metrics/dimensions.
Google also announced renaming some YouTube Ad type dimension values, metrics, and exchanges.
Google Limit Ads Over Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Google recently announced it is blocking all Russian state media channels from selling ads due to the invasion of Ukraine.
This came hours after YouTube announced it was blocking Russian state media channels from selling ads on YouTube globally or being accessible in Ukraine.
Trafficking Updates on Campaign Manager 360
Google Campaign Manager 360 announced new trafficking updates which include a new Placement Status Field in traffic sheet, removal of Legacy Dynamic Asset selection creatives and Set Top Box Targeting.
Read API permissions will also now be enforced for Campaign Manager 360.
Interactive Google Search Local Pack
Google has updated the map in the local pack within the web search results to an interactive map.
With the updated interactive Google Search local pack, you can now hover your mouse over the map and see the businesses, their reviews, zoom in and out of the map, drag the map around to see more places or click on a listing directly in the map interface.
App Campaign Placement Data From Google Ads and AdWords API Reports
Google announced the removal of all App campaign placement data from the Google Ads API and AdWords API/Google Ads scripts. Google said they “made this change because the data provided didn’t fully represent the complete view of the placements that help developers monitor brand safety for their advertisers“.
Google recommends referencing the App Campaigns Brand Safety Placement report within Google Ads UI instead.
Google URL Inspection Tool Bug Leading to Errors
Google has confirmed there is an “increase in errors when inspecting URLs” both in Search Console and the API.
The search company said it is working on resolving the issue.
Google Ends Support for Creation and Editing of Expanded Text Ads
Google Ads announced that users will no longer be able to create or edit expanded text ads. However, existing expanded text ads will continue to serve alongside responsive search ads, and users will still see reports on their performance going forward.
Additionally, Google Ads users will be able to pause and resume expanded text ads or remove them if needed. Users will also still be able to create and edit call ads and Dynamic Search Ads.
Required Double Verification for Some Google Business Profiles
Google has updated its document on Google Business Profiles verification, adding that Google “may require you to verify by more than one method”. This may add additional steps when verifying business profiles to hopefully reduce fake business listings in Google Maps.
Google currently offers several methods to verify a business listing with Google Business Profiles including:
- Phone or text
- Video recording
- Live video call
Now with the new update, Google may request that some businesses use not just one verification method, but two.
Roll Out of Google Page Experience Update for Desktop
Google has announced that the Page Experience update for desktop is officially done rolling out.
This update started to roll out on February 22nd and 9-days later, it is now fully rolled out. All of the page experience factors for mobile are included except for the mobile-friendliness requirement.
Here is a chart from Google showing the specific factors:
Thank You for Reading
Have you noticed the interactive Google search local pack or any other changes from Google this week?
Check back next Friday for the latest from Google This Week.