Category: Internet Marketing

Could you be a local councillor?

Reading Time: 3 mins

The local council elections will be held on Thursday May 4th this year.

We recently posted an article about being a poll clerk, what that involves and how much you can earn. It got us thinking about what is involved in being a local councillor. Who can stand, how much time is involved, what are the responsibilities and how much do you get paid?

Before we get down to the nitty gritty, for those who are unsure, a local councillor is someone who represents the people who live in their ward to the council. They do this by attending meetings, deciding what services the council should provide and work out and review council policies. They are different from MPs who deal with things that affect the whole country. A councillor deals with local matters for local people.

Read on to find out if you could be a local councillor…

How much do you get paid?

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Let’s start with the basics. Local councillors do not get a salary. However, they do get financial compensation in the form of an allowance which covers things like the time they have spent on council duties, telephone and travel expenses.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), on average local councillors in England can get anything from £3,000 to £16,000 depending on their council. The average works out at about £7,000 per year.

The amount they can get also depends on their responsibilities and what their role is. As well as a basic allowance, councillors with specific roles such as cabinet members or leaders of the council will also receive a Special Responsibility Allowance to reflect their additional workload.  This amount depends on the local council.

Many councillors have full time jobs and fit their council work in alongside their everyday lives.

So, it’s clear from this that people don’t stand to be a local councillor to make money. They do it because they want to give back to their community or feel that they have something to contribute. They might be passionate about a specific cause (e.g. the environment) or just want to make a real difference to peoples’ lives.

WHO CAN STAND?

Getting a Mortgage in the UK as a Expat living in the UAE

The basic rules for who can stand to be a local councillor include:

  1. being aged 18 or over
  2. being on the electoral register of the local authority they wish to stand for
  3. have lived or worked in the area for the past 12 months

You don’t have to be a member of political party to stand for local elections, some councillors sit as independents.

In terms of skills, there are no qualifications needed but it helps if you have good communication skills; are flexible and open-minded; and have a good grasp of how our political system works.

There is training available and although it’s often described as a steep learning curve, you would quickly gain experience and get more confident with time.

Councils are often looking to diversity their staff and encourage applications from people from different ethnic or socio-economic  backgrounds.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

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According to a 2022 census of local authority councillors, the average amount of time spent on council duties is 22 hours per week. Some spend less (10 hours or fewer), others a lot more (over 35 hours a week).

During their working hours, councillors are expected to attend council meetings and to spend time preparing for these in advance. These meetings usually involve making and scrutinising decisions, reviewing council policy and other regulatory or quasi-judicial obligations.

Other duties might involve holding drop in sessions for local residents, getting out into the community to meet the people you represent and spending time sharing what you do on social media (eg Facebook).

 

You can find more information on what is involved in the role on the government website and here, on the LGA website.

 

The post Could you be a local councillor? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/could-you-be-a-local-councillor

Get £1200 added to your savings with Help To Save

Reading Time: 2 mins

 As the cost of living crisis continues, Help to Save could help Brits to get an extra £1200 added to their savings by the government over the next four years.  

In light of the extension of the Help to Save scheme, personal finance expert Lucinda O’Brien has given her insights into what this means for Brits: “For those on Universal Credit, the Spring Budget also highlighted Help to Save accounts and its attractive 50% bonus scheme.  

“The good news is that applicants can now apply for an account until April 2025 as the government is keen for low-income earners to have a savings pot for a rainy day.  

“The Help to Save scheme was due to end in September after its launch in 2018. However, the scheme is now even more important as many people are struggling with the cost of living crisis and finding it increasingly difficult to save each month.”  

 

How much can I save in a Help to Save account?  

Lucinda O’Brien says, “A Help to Save account is backed by the government which means that your money will be safe and secure. The account then allows you to save from £1 to £50 each month, but you don’t have to pay money in every month and you can pay in as many times as you wish – until you reach the £50 limit.  

“The account will then reward you for saving with a bonus of 50p for every £1 that’s saved over four years. The bonus is paid at the end of the second and fourth years and it’s based on how much you’ve saved.  

“For example, if you saved £50 a month for two years, you would get a tax-free bonus of £600. This means that you could end up with a pot of savings totalling £1,800 by 2025.  

“If you decide to carry on saving, you’ll then receive another tax-free bonus of £600 after another two years, meaning you’ll receive £1,200 after four years of saving.  

“However, it’s important to note that although you can close the account at any time, if you close the account early you might miss out on the bonus and you won’t be able to open another account.  

“You can qualify for a Help to Save account if you live in the UK and you’re receiving Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit (and entitled to Working Tax Credit) or Universal Credit and you had a take-home pay of £658.64 or more in your last monthly assessment period.” 

 

Who is eligible for Help to Save?  

“In the Money.co.uk savings report, it was discovered that as of March 2022 there had been almost 360,000 Help to Save accounts opened in the UK. This means that millions of people are missing out on the opportunity to earn a bonus from the government by saving a little each month.” 

 

How to Apply 

 

If you think you might be eligible for the Help to Save scheme, just visit gov.uk and enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to apply. You’ll also be asked to provide your UK bank details as you pay money into the account via either a debit card, standing order or bank transfer.  

“For more information about the Help to Save scheme, you can read this guide or visit gov.uk for full terms and conditions, plus how it can impact your benefits. 

 

 

The post Get £1200 added to your savings with Help To Save appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/get-1200-added-to-your-savings-with-help-to-save

Jay Modi Discusses Why Organized Finances Means Personal Freedom

Home Business Magazine Online

When it comes to our financial well-being, organized finances are often seen as the key to success. While having an adequate budget is a great start, taking the steps necessary to achieve actual organization can mean even greater personal freedom and power over your money. Experts like Jay Modi in Calgary, Alberta, say that to get you on track toward a more accessible lifestyle, we’ll explore why organizing your finances is so important and provide some helpful tips to help you regain control as soon as possible.

How Unorganized Finances Can Put You in a Financial Rut

Unorganized finances can cause numerous financial troubles, pushing you into a financial rut that may seem difficult to escape. When you don’t maintain a proper system of tracking your income, expenses, and debts, making informed decisions about your financial future becomes increasingly challenging. As a result, you may struggle to make ends meet, unable to save for essential milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, or securing your retirement.

Living in constant stress due to financial instability can wreak havoc on your mental health, relationships, and overall happiness. Recognizing the pitfalls of unorganized finances and creating a comprehensive plan can significantly improve your financial well-being and prevent you from falling into a financial rut.

The Benefits of Having an Organized Financial System

Jay Modi says an organized financial system can work wonders in steering your life toward financial stability and prosperity. With a well-structured approach to managing your finances, you can easily track your income and expenses, helping you make informed decisions to optimize your monetary resources. Moreover, maintaining an orderly financial system can aid in identifying wasteful spending patterns and enable you to set realistic budgeting goals.

Debt management becomes less overwhelming as you can create a strategic plan to pay off your obligations and avoid falling into a never-ending cycle of debt. An organized financial system also paves the way for stress-free tax preparation, ensuring that you file accurate returns without any last-minute hassle. Adopting a systematic approach to managing your finances is like laying the foundation for a secure and rewarding financial future.

Strategies to Help Create Realistic Financial Goals

Embarking on the journey to create realistic financial goals might initially seem overwhelming, but implementing practical strategies can help guide you toward your financial dreams. The key lies in understanding your present financial situation, identifying your short-term and long-term objectives, and creating a manageable plan to reach them. Begin by assessing your income, expenses, and savings to establish a foundation for your financial goals.

Utilize financial tools and resources, such as budgeting apps or professional counseling, to assist you in keeping track of your progress and modifying your plan as needed. Additionally, don’t forget to take the time to celebrate your milestones along the way, as they will motivate you to maintain the course of your financial journey. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll be well on your way to achieving realistic and attainable financial goals.

How Budget Tracking Can Lead to Positive Change

Budget tracking is a powerful tool that can lead to many positive changes in your life. By closely monitoring your income and expenses, you equip yourself with the knowledge necessary to identify areas of financial improvement. This heightened awareness of your financial situation enables you to make smarter decisions, cutting down unnecessary expenditures and saving more money.

Moreover, budget tracking cultivates a sense of discipline and responsibility, fueling personal growth and development. As a result, you gain the confidence to take charge of your financial destiny and make better-informed choices that align with your long-term goals. By harnessing the transformative power of budget tracking, you pave the way for a more secure and stable future, one mindful decision at a time.

Making the Most of Your Money with Smart Investing Tactics

Jay Modi says if you want to grow your wealth and secure your financial future, it’s essential to make the most of your money using intelligent investing tactics. Don’t be afraid to dive into investing, as it minimizes the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. Embrace long-term thinking and consider investments that have held promise over the years.

Keep yourself educated about the markets, stay informed, and always remain vigilant in adjusting your strategies based on new information. Fees, taxes, and inflation can eat away at your returns, so take advantage of tax-advantaged accounts and low-cost funds. Trust your instincts, and never let emotions dictate your investment decisions.

Final Thoughts

Finances are a large portion of our lives, and we must remain organized with our budgeting, investing, and planning. With the right tools in place, you can be well on your way to reaching your financial goals without feeling overwhelmed or confused. Whether you’re looking for a detailed plan or simply want to stay on track month-to-month, there is something everyone can do to get their finances in order.

Creating realistic goals that suit your needs and lifestyle will motivate you to have organized finances and make the most of your money. Setting up a budget tracking system will help you follow through with those goals while searching for intelligent investing tactics that can enable you to see actual returns that benefit you long-term. Organization for money doesn’t have to be overwhelming — just take one step at a time, and before long, you’ll adjust like a true finance pro!

The post Jay Modi Discusses Why Organized Finances Means Personal Freedom appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/personal-finance/jay-modi-discusses-organized-finances-personal-freedom/

How to Quit Smoking for Good: A Step-by-Step Guide

Home Business Magazine Online

You’ve heard it a million times before — smoking is a harmful, addictive habit that leads to numerous health problems, including cancer, pulmonary disease, and lung disease. Quitting smoking may not be easy, but it is possible with the right plan in place. Read on for insights from the Go Smoke Free team for a step-by-step guide on how to quit smoking for good.

Step 1: Set a quit date

Setting a quit date is an essential first step in the process of quitting smoking. Choose a day that is significant to you, such as a birthday or anniversary, and mark it on your calendar, as this will help you prepare (both mentally and physically) for the quit date.

Step 2: Tell your family and friends

Tell your family and friends about your decision to quit smoking. Having support from loved ones can help you stay motivated and accountable. If you find you’re struggling, they can also provide encouragement and help you through difficult moments.

Step 3: Identify your triggers

Identify the triggers that make you want to smoke. Triggers often include stress, social situations, and certain times of the day. Once you have identified your triggers, you can develop strategies to avoid them, or if that’s not possible, to cope with them.

Step 4: Make a plan

Develop a plan to quit smoking. Consider using nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum or vapes, to help manage withdrawal symptoms. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about prescription medications to help with quitting, if you think it’ll help.

Step 5: Prepare your environment

Prepare your environment for quitting smoking. Get rid of cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays in your home, car, and workplace. Make your environment smoke-free to help reduce temptation, and ask your smoking friends if they can not smoke around you.

Step 6: Practice relaxation techniques

Practice relaxation techniques to help manage stress. Stress can be a major trigger for smoking, so learning to manage stress in healthy ways can help you stay smoke-free.

Step 7: Stay active

Stay active and engage in physical activity to help reduce cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. Exercise can also help improve your mood and increase your energy levels, and you can retrain yourself to go for a run or workout when you’re faced with a smoking trigger.

Step 8: Stay positive

Stay positive and focus on the benefits of quitting smoking. Quitting smoking can improve your health, reduce your risk of disease, and save you money. Remind yourself of these benefits regularly, as it will likely help you remain motivated to stay smoke-free.

Step 9: Celebrate your successes

Celebrate your success and reward yourself for staying smoke-free. Treat yourself to a special meal, a movie, or a small gift when you’ve been smoke-free for a certain amount of time — you deserve it!

Quitting smoking is a challenging but ultimately very achievable goal to set yourself. The simple steps listed above, from telling your friends to staying active, are all essential steps in the process of quitting smoking for good. Remember that quitting smoking is a journey, and every day that you stay smoke-free is a step towards being the healthier version of yourself you’re trying to become.

The post How to Quit Smoking for Good: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/health-and-fitness/how-to-quit-smoking-good-step-by-step-guide/

Google Ads testing verification badges

Google is experimenting with displaying blue badge icons and labels on certain search ads for advertisers who have been verified by Google Ads. The blue label features a blue circle with ridges and a checkmark inside it. This is part of Google’s ongoing advertiser verification program, and it appears that the company is now testing the use of small blue checkmarks for verified advertisers.

Spotted in the wild. Khushal Bherwani first spotted the badge on Twitter.

Why we care. Verification badges can increase brands credibility and trustworthiness with potential customers. When users see the blue badge, they know that the advertiser has been verified by Google, which means that the advertiser has met certain requirements for advertising on the platform. This can help users feel more confident in clicking on the ad and potentially making a purchase or taking another desired action.

Additionally, the blue badge can help the ad stand out from other ads that do not have the badge, potentially leading to higher click-through rates and conversions.

The post Google Ads testing verification badges appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-testing-verification-badges-394868

Google Ads Editor version 2.3 is out with 12 new features

Google has just released its Ads Editor version 2.3, advertisers can take advantage of several new features and updates. Let’s see what’s new.

New Features:

  1. File support for image assets: Advertisers can now conveniently import and export image assets as files in addition to using URLs.
  2. Card view for image assets: Image assets can now be viewed as cards in addition to the table view.
  3. Asset support: Full support is now available for upgraded assets such as image assets, automatically created assets, location assets, and business information assets. Legacy data will be deprecated when assets are upgraded.
  4. Primary Display Status buttons: Certain Primary Display Status (PDS) reasons are now clickable buttons, allowing advertisers to quickly fix issues that may prevent campaigns from serving.
  5. More PDS reasons: More PDS reasons are now available, including “Limited by bidding target” and “Limited by budget soon.”
  6. Performance Max text asset automation: Advertisers can now opt-in or opt-out of text asset automation for Performance Max campaigns.
  7. Add Google video partners recommendation: Editor now shows recommendations to add Google video partners, allowing advertisers to use the same targeting options across video partners for their video campaigns.
  8. Bid explorer: Editor now shows several recommended bids for Target CPA and Target ROAS bid strategies, including projected improvements for each option.
  9. Location targeting: Editor now has location targeting for “radius around location groups” and “radius around all locations in linked feed.”
  10. Discovery ads and campaigns with product feeds support: Editor now supports Discovery ads and campaigns with product feeds, allowing advertisers to show their products in Discovery ads.
  11. Proper pluralization in messages: Messages are now updated with the correct form of pluralization, which supports other languages.
  12. Notifications: More notification types are now available in Editor 2.3, allowing users to be more fully informed about the status of their accounts.

Deprecated Features:

  1. Top content bid adjustment: The “top content bid adjustment” setting is no longer supported and has been removed in Editor 2.3.
  2. Create Dynamic Search Ads recommendation: Editor version 2.3 no longer shows recommendations to create Dynamic Search Ads.

Dig deeper. Read the announcement from Google here.

Why we care. The new features can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your Google Ads campaigns. For example, the support for Discovery ads and campaigns with product feeds can help you expand your reach and show products to more potential customers. The notifications feature can keep you informed about the status of your accounts and allow you to take immediate action to resolve any issues.

The post Google Ads Editor version 2.3 is out with 12 new features appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-editor-version-2-3-is-out-with-12-new-features-394878

Essential Household Appliances for Any Home

Home Business Magazine Online

A comfortable and functional home is every homeowner’s dream. However, achieving this doesn’t just happen by chance; it requires careful planning, creativity, and investment in essential household appliances. These appliances not only make your home more comfortable and convenient, but they also help you save time and energy.

From kitchen appliances to cleaning tools, there are plenty of appliances that every household needs to make daily tasks easier and more efficient. Whether you’re moving into a new home or upgrading your existing appliances, it’s essential to have a good understanding of the kinds of the best household appliance that you should prioritize.

Refrigerator: A refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in any home. It keeps your food fresh and prevents spoilage. When choosing a refrigerator, consider the size, energy efficiency, and features like ice makers and water dispensers. Look for a model with adjustable shelves and drawers that can accommodate a variety of food items.

Oven and Stove: Another essential appliance for any home is an oven and stove. Whether you’re baking, roasting, or cooking on the stove, this appliance is a must-have. Look for a model with multiple burners and oven racks, and consider features like convection cooking or a self-cleaning oven.

Microwave: While not essential for cooking, a microwave can be incredibly convenient for reheating leftovers or cooking frozen meals. Look for a model with multiple power settings and defrost options.

Dishwasher: Hand-washing dishes can be time-consuming and tiring. A dishwasher can save you time and effort while keeping your dishes clean. When choosing a dishwasher, look for a model with adjustable racks and multiple wash settings.

Washing Machine and Dryer: A washing machine and dryer are essential for keeping your clothes clean and fresh. When choosing a washing machine, consider the size and capacity, as well as features like energy efficiency and wash settings. Similarly, when choosing a dryer, look for a model with multiple heat settings and drying options.

appliances
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

Air Conditioner: An air conditioner is a must-have appliance for hot and humid climates. It can help keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer months. When choosing an air conditioner, consider the size of your home and the type of unit that will work best for your needs.

Heater: A heater is an essential appliance for cold climates. It can keep your home warm and cozy during the winter months. When choosing a heater, consider the size of your home and the type of unit that will work best for your needs.

Vacuum Cleaner: A vacuum cleaner is an essential appliance for keeping your home clean and free of dust and debris. Look for a model with a powerful motor and multiple attachments for cleaning carpets, upholstery, and hard floors.

Toaster: A toaster is a must-have appliance for breakfast lovers. It can quickly and easily toast bread, bagels, and other breakfast items. Look for a model with multiple heat settings and slots that can accommodate different sizes of bread and bagels.

Coffee Maker: A coffee maker is a must-have appliance for coffee lovers. It can brew a fresh cup of coffee in just a few minutes, making it the perfect way to start your day. Look for a model with multiple brewing options and a programmable timer.

The post Essential Household Appliances for Any Home appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/home-improvement/essential-household-appliances-home/

This day in search marketing history: March 26

More sites move to Google mobile-first indexing

In 2018, Google announced it had enabled mobile-first indexing for more websites.

This was the first time Google had confirmed it was moving a large number of sites to this mobile-first indexing process. Google told us in October 2017 that a limited number of sites had been moved over.

Websites that were migrated in this batch were following mobile-first indexing best practices and were notified of the change via a Google Search Console message.

Read all about it in Google begins rolling out mobile-first indexing to more sites.

Also on this day

Now, analyze more accounts in Google Ads Report Editor

2020: Advertisers could run reports for up to 200 accounts in a Manager account.

The new contextual ad targeting works, study says

2020: A new study looks at how contextual relevance of ads to content influences consumers.

EU Android search choice screen’s impact delayed due to COVID-19

2020: Engagement with the search choice screen had been slowed by stifled smartphone supply and decreased demand. 

Small agencies brace for impact, but say remote work isn’t slowing them down

2020: Many expected client budget and project changes would have a negative effect on their businesses.

Businesses should limit, not disable, their sites during temporary closures, Google says

2020: A full takedown could result in losing Search Console data and make it more difficult to ramp back up.

Pinterest rolls out new commerce features for retailers as search volume climbs

2020: Upgrades included the new Verified Merchant Program, new conversion reporting opportunities, and updates to Catalogs and dynamic retargeting.

SEOs show mixed results following Google March 2019 core update

2019: The data was not conclusive on any specific tactic or type of site impacted by the algorithm change.

Google to retire the info: command, adds canonical information to URL Inspection Tool

2019: Google was retiring the info command because it “was relatively underused” and said the new URL inspection tool gave users much of that data now anyway.

Google Ads Keyword Planner gets new (and old) features

2019: Seed your keyword ideas with more terms, add keywords to existing campaigns and more.

Google adds vacation rentals to Hotel Search

2019: Increased competition between hotels and vacation rentals could increase visibility for rental providers and boost Google Hotel Ads revenue.

Europeans again raise the specter of breaking up Google

2018: More of a bargaining position, it was extremely unlikely to actually happen.

Bing begins removing sidebar text ads on desktop

2018: Starting in the US, text ads would show only in the mainline at the top and bottom of search results pages.

Bing ‘intelligent search’ capabilities continue to expand, include facts from multiple sources

2018: Bing also shared more about the platform it built to power intelligent search.

Google Testing Removing Line Separator Between Search Ads & Organic Search Results

2015: Google was testing removing the divider between the ads and free listings in the search results. Would it lead to more searcher confusion?

Google News Ranking Won’t Be Impacted By The New Mobile-Friendly Algorithm

2015: Google News ranking algorithm would not (yet) factor in if a publisher was mobile-friendly.

Google Expands Product Rating Stars In Google Shopping Ads To UK, France, Germany

2015: Star ratings for specific products appeared in product listing ads.

WSJ Report Suggests Intervention In FTC’s Google Investigation By White House

2015: Google lobbying reportedly affected agency’s decision in antitrust case.

Report: Mobile Search Queries 29% Of Total But Growth Modest

2015: Search query percentages didn’t line up with overall usage trends.

Google Says Don’t Delete Your Disavow File Prior To Uploading A New One

2014: He said instead, upload the new one, which will replace the old disavow file.

New AdWords For Video Reporting Now Rolling Out In Google Analytics

2014: Video Campaigns report in Google Analytics gave advertisers more insights into the performance of their YouTube TrueView ads that are managed through AdWords for Video campaigns.

How A Single Guest Post May Have Gotten An Entire Site Penalized By Google

2014: Another case of Google failing to keep its promise to provide more examples relating to penalties.

Bing Ads Launches Product Ads In U.S., Mobile Version Now In Beta

2014: After months of testing.

Microsoft “Research” Discovers The Obvious In Renewed Anti-Trust Attack On Google

2013: Indeed, Google displayed links to its own vertical search results differently. But so did Bing.

Google Gets Trademark Reprieve In Sweden Over Definition Of ‘Ungoogleable’

2013: “Ungoogleable” would not become an official word in Sweden.

CheapAir.com Mobile Voice Search Not Very “Natural”

2013: Its voice search fell quite short of expectations. 

Google Eliminates Another Link Network, BuildMyRank.com – Just One Of Several?

2012: BuildMyRank.com confirmed Google had deindexed an “overwhelming majority” of their network as of March 19, 2012.

In Japan, Google Ordered To Remove Some Autocomplete Suggestions

2012: A man lost his job several years ago and was rejected for new jobs due to the suggestions offered by Google.

Report: 25% Of Paid-Search Clicks Will Come From Mobile By December

2012: Marin also estimated that 23% of Google’s US paid-search spend [by December 2012] would come from mobile campaigns.

Rumor: Apple To Add Baidu To iPhone Search Options

2012: It would have been strange for Apple to exclude China’s most popular search engine from the default options.

Survey: 87% Of iPhone 4S Owners Use Siri Monthly

2012: Roughly one third of iPhone 4S owners used Siri “almost daily.”

UBL And Yext Join Forces To Offer More Complete Local Data Syndication

2012: The combination offered convenience for local marketers who might have been trying to choose between Yext and UBL.

Google Fights “Pogostick Searchers” With New “Get More” Option

2010: “Get More” links appeared when a searcher came back to the search results page.

Does CEO Coffee Summit Equal Détente For Apple, Google?

2010: Did this meeting signal that both men (and both sides) were interested in some sort of “healing” or rapprochement?

Facebook Nabs Google’s David Fischer & Google Nabs Oracle’s Amit Singh

2010: Fischer would be the VP of Advertising and Global Operations at Facebook.

Google Pushing Hard(er) To Get Webmaster Products Adopted

2009: The Google Webmaster Tools Access Provider Program was renamed Google Services for Websites and expanded to include AdSense, Custom Search and Site Search.

Google To Cut 200 Sales & Marketing Staffers

2009: The affected employees would be given time to find new positions at Google and/or help in locating a job elsewhere.

Ask.com Shows Display Ads On Home Page

2009: Ask.com was the only “search engine” to have display ads on their search home page at the time.

Long Time Yahoo Search Scientist Jan Pedersen Joins Microsoft

2009: He was the latest in a string of ex-Yahoos to start working for Microsoft.

Yahoo Not Focused On MSFT Sale, Rather On Mobile & 141 Home Page Variations

2009: Yahoo had “tested 141 different versions of the homepage in search of one that will get users to stick around for longer.”

Yahoo – But Not Yahoo Search – Headed To TV

2009: Yahoo was making a move onto television screens with the Yahoo Widget Engine (YWE), but its first iteration wouldn’t include a Yahoo search box.

What Israeli SEMs Want

2009: To see Yahoo and Microsoft set up offices in Israel and for Yahoo to fix its search marketing platform.

Google AdWords Video Ads Now Live & In the Wild

2008: Announced in February, BlackBerry and AT&T were testing the ads.

Google Founders Take $1 Salaries Again; Tell Investors To Say No On Anti-Censorship Proposal

2008: Google’s founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, along with CEO Eric Schmidt, renewed their contracts again at a $1 per year salary.

Report: Microsoft To Up Bid For Yahoo To $34 Per Share

2008: It might have pleased Yahoo’s shareholders and put more pressure on Yahoo management to negotiate in earnest with Microsoft.

Google Continues Testing Navigational Link Placement

2007: More sightings of Google experimenting with additional navigational link placement ideas.

Google Gives Seminar On Google for Politics

2007: Google showed off how to use Alerts, AdWords, Analytics and AdSense. They also discussed YouTube and how that can impact an election.

Logo Bomb: Google Maps Returns Anti-Microsoft Logo For Microsoft Listing

2007: Here’s how it happened.

Yahoo Removes Directory Links From Individual Search Results

2007: Yahoo removed the links from the individual search listings to the Yahoo Directory because they caused “clutter.”

Yahoo Releases Greatly Simplified “SiteBuilder” Tool

2007: Yahoo created a “starter” tool that was extremely simple to use (template driven) and offered enough design choices to make it viable and interesting.

Travelocity: Non-Branded Terms Convert Nearly 25% But “Assists” Might Be Less Than Assumed

2007: Travelocity clarified that 20% of its bookings came from non-branded terms. When Travelocity bought a branded term, 4% of those got an “assist” or a click that converted after someone made an earlier visit via a non-branded term.

Rebranded Canadian Local Search Site ZipLocal Launches

2007: ZipLocal was a consolidated “Web 2.0” local search destination growing out of a number of earlier local search sites including Zip411.net and redToronto.com.

Live.com Link Command Currently Offline

2007: It had been offline for over 24 hours.

Yell.com Launches PPC On UK Directory Site

2007: UK yellow pages publisher and local search purveyor, Yell.com announced that it launched PPC ads on its site as well as targeted banner inventory.

No SEO Bull: Calacanis Challenge Sees Traffic Rise 21%

2007: Using “white hat” recommendation, Neil Patel increased Jason Calacanis’s search traffic by 21%.

From Search Marketing Expo (SMX)

Past contributions from Search Engine Land’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

These columns are a snapshot in time and have not been updated since publishing, unless noted. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

< March 25 | Search Marketing History | March 27 >

The post This day in search marketing history: March 26 appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-march-26-394833

2023 Survey: Local search ranking factors

The 2023 local search ranking factors survey is now out, it is a survey of what local SEO experts rank the most important ranking factors are for both ranking in the Google local pack and also in the Google organic local results.

More survey details. This survey was conducted by Whitespark and surveyed 44 different local SEO experts. It asked these local SEO experts to rank 149 potential local search ranking factors in order of importance across both the local pack and organic rankings.

Local pack factors. The local pack findings showed that these were ranked the most important ranking factors for Google’s local pack:

  • Primary Google Business Profile category
  • Keywords in your Google Business Profile title/name (which may be against the Google guidelines)
  • Proximity of address to the point of search
  • Physical address in the city of search
  • Removal of spam listings through spam preventative mechasims
  • High numerical Google ratings
  • Additional Google Business Profile categories
  • Verification in Google Business Profiles
  • and more

Local organic factors. The local organic ranking factors showed these these were ranked the most important ranking factors for Google’s local pack:

  • Dedicated page for each service
  • Internal linking across website
  • Quality and authority of inbound links to the domain name
  • Geographic keyword relevance of domain content
  • Keywords in Google Business Profile landing page title
  • Quantity of inbound links to domain from locally relevant domains
  • Topical keyword relevance across entire website
  • Volume of quality content on service page
  • and more

Disclaimer. Search ranking factor studies can and have been somewhat controversial over the years. This study asked local SEOs to rate what they think are the most important factors for ranking well in Google’s local results. So keep that all in mind and make sure to read the study in full before just accepting these results as is.

Why we care. While there may be a lot of debate between SEOs and local SEOs as to what are the most important ranking factors, going through a survey like this may help you think about areas that you may not have thought about prior. So give it a read and hope you come up with some new ideas to implement for your clients.

The post 2023 Survey: Local search ranking factors appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/2023-survey-local-search-ranking-factors-394839

In data we trust: How to establish customer trust through data privacy by Tealium

Articles

In a recent survey, Pew Research Center found that “81% of the public say that the potential risks they face because of data collection by companies outweigh the benefits.” And “79% of consumers are concerned about how companies use the data collected.”

It’s clear – businesses need to prioritize customer trust and data privacy.

The e-book, In Data We Trust, shows you how customer data platforms (CDP) help obtain customer trust through privacy-driven personalization.

Check out the e-book to discover how a CDP can benefit your brand and keep reading to discover the five key ways a CDP establishes trust.

5 ways a CDP establishes trust in data with customers

1. Reduce risk from siloed data

Data silos result in costly processes and increased risk in multiple areas, such as inaccurate customer insights, including privacy preferences. With a CDP, first-party data is collected, meaning it’s consented and directly from the source.

2. Propagate privacy preferences

If your consent data is not real-time, you could breach privacy regulations while consent preferences are waiting to be updated. For example, if someone requests their data to be deleted and it takes your organization longer than is legally mandated to fulfill that request, your brand can face significant penalties for non-compliance. A CDP propagates privacy preferences throughout the entire customer journey across all channels and maintains them through the lens of the customer.

3. Enable operational efficiency and business agility

To be a privacy-driven organization, businesses must break down communication and data silos to understand what data is being processed and why. Some CDPs enforce a common nomenclature for data, allowing business and IT units to speak one common language. This shared language prevents departments from falling behind whenever privacy requirements change or new technology investments call for new integrations.

4. Give customers transparency and control over their data

Customers are empowered by global privacy regulations to manage when their data is collected, stored, and utilized. A CDP becomes a trusted repository of customer data and the governed supply chain that connects customer devices to the platforms that deliver value. As a trusted steward of their data, your customers will have access to the most accurate set of their personal data when they request it.

5. The ultimate customer experience

A CDP helps brands better understand customer behavior and preferences through a single customer view. Customers want to be known and understood regardless of where and how they’re engaging with your brand. That said, customer data can reside in different systems with different privacy settings. CDPs enable you to collect trusted customer data from all touchpoints to produce a 360 view of your customers, enabling real-time engagement on any channel based on customer preferences. And this level of personalization can be done at scale through a vendor-neutral, real-time CDP like Tealium, which you can learn more about here.

The post In data we trust: How to establish customer trust through data privacy appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/in-data-we-trust-how-to-establish-customer-trust-through-data-privacy-394563