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Google Supports schema.org Markup for Organization Logos

posted on May 17, 2013

Your-Logo-Here-Black-2Earlier this week Google announced that they will be supporting schema.org markup for organization logos. In the midst of all the Google I/O hubbub this kind of announcement can seem minor but if there is a way to get an edge in a search result that is not so minor now, is it?

The Official Google Webmaster Central blog reported

Today, we’re launching support for the schema.org markup for organization logos, a way to connect your site with an iconic image. We want you to be able to specify which image we use as your logo in Google search results.

Using schema.org Organization markup, you can indicate to our algorithms the location of your preferred logo. For example, a business whose homepage is www.example.com can add the following markup using visible on-page elements on their homepage:

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Google’s AdWords Express Gets a Makeover

posted on May 17, 2013

Google-Adwords-Express-Logo1Google’s AdWords Express which is designed to help small businesses take advantage of paid search by literally doing the heavy lifting for them through placement of ads on behalf of the advertiser, got a facelift of sorts.

Google is on a push to make things more beautiful and efficient. I get it in theory but the whole beautiful part sounds so forced although it is a company mantra these days.

The Inside AdWords blog tells us

Today, when you log into AdWords Express, you’ll notice a brand new look. We’ve listened to your feedback and worked with a lot of small businesses to streamline the AdWords Express experience. It’s part of our ongoing efforts to make Google products more beautiful and efficient.

Channel Sponsors

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Content Marketing is a Hit! [Infographic]

posted on May 16, 2013

history of contentFrom the way we talk about content marketing, you’d think it was a new thing invented for use on the internet. But content marketing goes way back. I mean, waaaay, back. Look at this example from the History of Content Marketing Infographic.

More recent examples include a safe driving book from Michelin Tires which was published in 1900 and the free 1904 Jell-O recipe booklet which led to millions in sales for the product.

It’s an intuitive leap – if you help your customer do something better, faster or safer, they’ll think kindly of you and consider buying your product.

According to a new infographic from Demand Metric, 60% of people have been inspired to seek out a product after reading about it.

content marketing seek product

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Have a Conversation with Your Computer: The New Google Search

posted on May 16, 2013

io conference escalatorIt’s Day Two of the Google I/O developers conference in San Francisco and the new features and ideas just keep on coming. Look at this photo from the first day. It’s like Comic-Con! But I must ask, where are the women? Surely there are at least a few females in the developer trade?

Gender issues aside, I love the idea behind this event because it’s not just a set of PR announcements, it’s a community coming together to create amazing new tech goodies for you and me. I also love that the official agenda includes a time slot for “Bike and Coat Check.” That makes me smile.

Anyway, let’s get down to business – search business with a look at some of the new things coming your way.

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Google+ Updates from Google I/O

posted on May 16, 2013

Google-Plus-Glossy-IconThe news was flying fast and furious out of the Google I/O event yesterday. If you missed Matt McGee’s live blogging you missed more than a few chuckles but hey, that’s the way the Google Glass crumbles (yup, that was awful).

As we often do here at Marketing Pilgrim, we will turn over some of the reporting to Google itself regarding changes in Google+. Until these changes are realized by all it seems pointless to analyze or predict what they do or don’t mean. Besides, my crystal ball is in the shop following it’s prediction that Justin Timberlake would make MySpace relevant again.

So here is a series of videos to bring you up to speed on the new and improved Google+. Enjoy.

First up from the Google+ blog post about the changes covers

A multi-column layout. You’ll see one, two, or three columns of content depending on your screen size and orientation.

Awesome-sized media. Photos and videos can fill the entire width of the stream, making it easier to scan, and nicer to look at.

Delightful animations. The sharebox bounces, the menus slide, and the cards flip and fade — just to name a few.

Next up is a look at related hashtag implementation

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[Infographic] In a Mobile World Customer Reviews Matter More Than Ever Before

posted on May 16, 2013

customer-feedback-matters-previewThe Internet world is indeed a mobile world. There is no longer proof needed for that to agreed to amongst any marketers.

What that mobile world has created, however, is a brave new world for the consumer who now wields more power than ever. That power comes mostly in the form of reviews of a business’ products and services. It all leads to a customer who can voice great joy or great dissatisfaction with a business and that is power.

According to Gib Olander, CEO, Local Viewpoints,

Word-of-mouth advertising has long been recognized as the primary factor behind 20% to 50% of all purchasing decisions; in today’s mobile friendly, digital world, consumer testimonials and online reviews have become the default way within search results for consumers to judge the viability of a business to meet their needs.

The folks at Local Viewpoints put together an infographic to help further explain this reality of today’s online world.

Here it is.

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Google’s New Map App Could Be a Win for You or Your Competitor

posted on May 15, 2013

This morning, Google posed a question: “What if we told you that during your lifetime, Google could create millions of custom maps…each one just for you?”

You’d say, “Of course you can! You’re Google!”

We’ve sipped the Kool-Aid and it tastes good.

Introducing (insert fanfare here) the new Google Maps!!

google map

This nifty number isn’t just about how to get from here to there. No, no. Like its big brother the search engine, Google Maps is all about discovery. That’s a huge plus for anyone running a brick and mortar location – except when it’s not.