SearchCap: Updates on Google Assistant, Bing Ads Promotions & AdWords Settlement

Below is a summary of today’s search-related news, originally reported on Search Engine Land and other sources across the web.

From Search Engine Land:

1. Google Assistant Outperforms Rivals
   Google Assistant leads in answering questions and overall accuracy. Cortana is second for questions answered, while Alexa comes in second for accuracy.

2. Evaluating Paid Search KPIs
   Success in advertising is often measured through key performance indicators (KPIs). Columnist Andy Taylor discusses what advertisers’ choice of KPIs reveals about their priorities.

3. Bing Ads Introduces Merchant Promotions
   Merchant Promotions are now available in Bing Shopping campaigns in the US, highlighting product offers in ads.

4. Paid Search Dominates Digital Spend in 2016
   According to the IAB, paid search accounted for 48% of total digital spending last year, with increased spending due to mobile.

5. Google’s $22.5M Settlement Claims
   Advertisers are receiving claim notices as part of a settlement concerning Google ads on parked domains from a 2008 case.

6. AdWords Keyword Tiering
   Columnist Jacob Baadsgaard discusses a method of organizing paid search keywords into tiers to allow for impactful adjustments.

7. Effective Ad Campaign Touch Points
   The importance of reaching consumers effectively is discussed, with emphasis on preemptive strategies and understanding consumer behavior.

Recent Headlines From MarTech, Our Sister Site Focused on Internet Marketing:

• The modern marketer’s guide to machine learning algorithms
• Tips for app indexing, ranking, and installation
• Evaluating the value of a ‘Like’
• Oracle enhances Clouds with chatbots and a smarter recommendation engine
• The role of artificial intelligence in B2B
• Updates on Facebook Marketplace and ad spending
• Quora’s new advertising strategies
• Facebook’s ad retargeting for potential travelers
• Basics of lead nurturing
• iSpot’s TV conversion analytics links TV ads to digital actions

Search News From Around The Web:

Industry:

• Exploring the lives of Google raters
• Yandex’s first quarter 2017 financial results

Local & Maps:

• Google My Business API introduces structured menus
• Updates on Google Earth imagery

Link Building:

• Timeframes for results after removing a URL from a disavow file

Searching:

• Gboard for Android gets additional languages and tools
• Ongoing search research challenges

SEO:

• Improving websites can enhance Google rankings
• Insights from transitioning from in-house to agency SEO roles

SEM / Paid Search:

• Tactics for aiding B2B account-based marketing

Search Marketing:

• University of Phoenix leads in paid search among online education advertisers