SearchCap: Google Ads & Bing Ads Issues, AMP Ranking Signal & Review Stars Glitch

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other sources across the web.

From Search Engine Land:

• Google: AMP Not Yet A Search Ranking Signal
  Feb 26, 2016 by Barry Schwartz

  In December, Google said AMP might become a ranking signal. It is not yet, but it still may become a ranking factor when it is more widely launched.

• Google App Updates Will Include New Animations & Ability To Change Google Logo Colors
  Feb 26, 2016 by Amy Gesenhues

  Reports indicate that users will be able to change the color of the Google logo using a “finger painting-like” feature.

• AdWords And Bing Ads Both Having Late-Week Reporting Troubles
  Feb 26, 2016 by Ginny Marvin

  Issues began Thursday for both platforms and continue to affect reporting on Friday.

• Google Confirms Review Stars’ Mysterious Disappearance In Search Results Was A Bug
  Feb 26, 2016 by Barry Schwartz

  Google review snippets are now back after a bug that caused them to drop out of much of the search results for about a week.

• Connecting Demographics To Search Queries
  Feb 26, 2016 by Andrew Ruegger

  Frustrated by the lack of demographic data available for search ads? Contributor Andrew Ruegger shares his method for obtaining demographic information at the keyword level.

• The Content Strategist Playbook: Evangelizing Content And Setting Yourself Up For Success
  Feb 26, 2016 by Digital Marketing Depot

  Content marketing is a popular practice right now, and it’s easy to see why. Interruptive advertising simply isn’t working, and creating content people choose to read, watch, and interact with is becoming increasingly attractive for brands. This guide from Contently outlines the Why, When, and How of content marketing.

• Prioritizing Local Search Profile Listings: 2 Methods
  Feb 26, 2016 by Lydia Jorden

  Looking to start building those citations for local SEO? Columnist Lydia Jorden shares her strategy for determining which local business listing sites are worth investing in.

• Search In Pics: Coca Cola Google Cardboard, Googley Volvo & Animated Google Sign
  Feb 26, 2016 by Barry Schwartz

  In this week’s Search In Pictures, here are the latest images culled from the web, showcasing what people eat at search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have, and more.

Recent Headlines From MarTech, Our Sister Site Dedicated To Internet Marketing:

• Amazon To Webstore Sellers: No New Orders As Of May 1st, Two Months Ahead Of Platform Closure
• WATCH: “Marketing Land Live” Show #2 Talks About Google AdWords Changes, AMP & More
• How Much A Snapchat Geofilter Costs At The Oscars & 5 Other Big Events
• Google Is Fixing The “Permanently Closed” Problem For Local Businesses
• Setting Local SEO Expectations: 3 Points To Hit Early And Often
• The Death Of Marketing Expertise
• Optimizing Conversions Isn’t Everything! Don’t Neglect What Happens Before & After
• Bullet-Proofing Your Business From The Inevitable Online Reputation Attack
• 10 Best Practices For Digital Ad Breakthrough
• MarTech Today: AdTheorent’s Attribution Service, Location Data For Addressable TV & Fixing “Permanently Closed”
• Cardlytics Opens Up Its Treasure Trove Of Purchase Histories To Ad Targeting

Search News From Around The Web:

Industry:

• Googler Gary Illyes Takes Us Behind the Scenes of the Google Dance, BruceClay.com
• SEO Consultant/Agency Pricing, Structure, & Services (US & Canada Survey Results), moz.com

Local & Maps:

• Ghostly planes in Google Earth 3D imagery, Google Earth Blog
• Review Stars, Zen and the Art of Local Search, Mike Blumenthal

Link Building:

• Google May Discount Links In Cases Even When Intent Is Not To Manipulate Search Results, Search Engine Roundtable

SEO:

• Are Your Competitors Using Black Hat SEO Techniques? These 5 Steps Will Help You Find Out, ahrefs.com
• “Top Stories with AMP” Added to Google Structured Data Site, seoskeptic.com
• 11 YouTube Ranking Steps, Search Engine People
• Don’t be Sucked in by SEO Lies, Search Engine Journal
• Google Notices For Fix Errors On Your AMP Pages, Search Engine Roundtable

SEM / Paid Search:

• 4 Multilingual Social PPC Psychographic Tactics to CRUSH Overseas Campaign ROI | Targeting Hot House, aimClear Blog
• #AskBingAds Episode 3: Do we have an ETA on Labels?, Bing Ads Blog

Search Marketing:

• Overcoming Objections on Your Landing Pages – Whiteboard Friday, Moz
• Video: Google AMP Live, AdWords Remove Ads, Compare Going Away & Paid Links, Search Engine Roundtable