This day in search marketing history: February 19

Google removes ads from right side of search results

In 2016, Google removed ads from the right side of its desktop search results (with two exceptions: Product Listing Ad boxes and Knowledge panel ads) in all languages, worldwide.

Google Ads would only appear at the top and/or bottom of the page.

An additional ad (so, four instead of three) would appear above Google’s organic search results for what it called “highly commercial queries.”

This was actually the culmination of a test that began in 2010 and ramped up significantly in 2015, mostly outside of the U.S.

Google’s official statement on the change:

“We’ve been testing this layout for a long time, so some people might see it on a very small number of commercial queries. We’ll continue to make tweaks, but this is designed for highly commercial queries where the layout is able to provide more relevant results for people searching and better performance for advertisers.”

Read all about it in Confirmed: Google To Stop Showing Ads On Right Side Of Desktop Search Results Worldwide.

Also on this day

Bing announces refreshed Bing Webmaster Tools

2020: The new toolset promised to offer a faster, cleaner, more responsive and even more actionable set of features.

Vast majority of Amazon advertisers plan to spend more on ads again this year

2020: Specialized Amazon marketers and paid search marketers were most likely to be managing campaigns on the platform, our survey found.

Video: Rhea Drysdale on hyperlocal SEO & saving clients money

2020: From running a small business to digging deep into SEO to help clients win.

Google may use different ranking weights for YMYL-type queries

2019: Google has confirmed that for Your Money, Your Life, queries they will give more weight in their ranking algorithm to factors around expertise, authoritativeness, or trustworthiness.

Google Actions vs. Alexa Skills is the next big App Store battle

2019: There were thousands of Skills and Actions but very few people were using them.

Google changes request recrawl limits, noting daily limits versus monthly quotas

2018: Google finally disclosed the new recrawl limits in a revised help document.

Google Maps adds mall directory search & browse in local panel

2018: Google added a new tab to the local panel in the search results named “directory.”

Google Chrome extensions bringing back ‘View Image’ & ‘Search by Image’ buttons in Google Image Search

2018: Google removed some much-loved features in image search, but some Chrome extensions bring back that functionality.

Keyword infringement: Edible Arrangements files $209M trademark suit against Google

2018: The central claim was that when users searched for [Edible Arrangements] (or versions of that name), they were seeing product ads for competitors, such as 1-800-Flowers.

Webmasters: Be On The Lookout For Hreflang Implementation Notifications From Google

2016: Google sent out a large number of notifications to webmasters who had incorrectly implemented hreflang markup.

Google App Streaming Now Live For Many Apps Via Try Now Button

2016: You could preview apps directly from the search results before downloading them.

Search In Pics: Brett Dennen At Google, A Doctor’s Google Sign & Google Moving Boxes

2016: The latest images showing what people eat at the search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have and more.

Google’s New Hacked Classifier Misclassifies Some Web Sites As Hacked

2015: Many websites noticed Google labeled their sites as being hacked and dangerous in the search results. The issue was not with their websites but rather the Google hacked sites classifier.

Google AdWords Launches An Android App For Advertisers But Currently Only For Canadians

2015: Canadian Google AdWords advertisers could download an Android app to manage their campaign on the go. Google promised to expand support to other countries soon.

Google News Bug Drops Trending Topics From Side Bar Navigation

2015: A fix was coming soon.

Google Mobile Search Put Publishers’ Content In Carousels

2015: Users could quickly scan topic-based content from single sources on mobile devices.

Bing Offers Link To Order Food Online From Your Favorite Restaurants

2015: You could search for a restaurant that offered online ordering and click the order online button.

Google’s Matt Cutts: Backlink Relevancy Is A Big Win In Terms Of Search Quality

2014: Cutts answers: “Is there a version of Google that excludes backlinks as a ranking factor?”

New Google Maps Comes Out Of Preview Today

2014: Overall, it was a more visually-compelling product than the old Maps with a wide array of enhanced features.

Google Was Nearly A Site That Allowed Users To Order Pizza Through A Fax Machine

2013: Sergey Brin explained how a single failed fax allowed Google to be born.

Bing Updates Friends’ Photos Search With Windows Tiles Layout & Slideshow View

2013: The changes included a new title-like layout you are familiar with when it comes to Windows 8 and a slideshow view for faster and richer photo viewing.

Burden Of Search UI Innovation Now Falls To Yahoo Veteran Laurie Mann

2013: Laurie Mann, who had been senior vice president of engineering operations at Yahoo since 2002, was promoted to run Yahoo Search. 

Alibaba Creates Aliyun Search Engine To Challenge Baidu, Google In China

2013: The appearance and functionality of the SERP on Aliyun was more like Google than a comparable page on Chinese search leader Baidu’s site.

ChaCha Defeats Google, Bing And Siri In “Answers Quality” Study

2013: “ChaCha delivered the highest quality responses consistently across the largest group of categories and question types.”

Twitter’s Traffic Up 9%, Thanks To Google

2010: When Google added real-time results to their search interface in December, it had a major impact on people discovering tweets in the search results.

Google: “With Buzz We Failed To Appreciate That Users Have Differing Privacy Expectations”

2010: Also, Google revealed that for every 15 people who click through to the privacy controls and preferences that “four users edit preferences, one opts out and 10 do nothing.”

Google Shopper: Scan Books, DVDs, Video Games, Bar Codes & Get Prices

2010: You could point the app at books, CDs, DVDs, and video games, and barcodes and it would fetch the details of that product and give you the prices, stores, reviews and more about that product.

Google Adds Maps, Local Search For 30 Countries In Africa

2010: Users could now find local businesses.

Yahoo Formalizes Rich Ads In Search, Text Ads Gain Images Or Video

2009: After testing this for close to a year, Yahoo would formally announce Rich Ads In Search – a service that placed images and videos into paid ads in Yahoo’s search results.

Go Figure: Twitter Tests Adding Search To Main Navigation

2009: Twitter Search had become incredibly popular, even thought most people had no clue how to find it.

Official: Google To Enforce AdWords URL Policy Starts April 1

2008: The policy required the ad’s display URL match its destination URL. 

Microsoft Signals Long Term Commitment To Search Even Without Yahoo

2008: Bill Gates said with or without Yahoo, the company would invest heavily in web search over the long term to compete with Google.

Yahoo Makes Big Customer Satisfaction Gains In Search

2008: Yahoo called out the “Search Assist & Suggestions Rankings” metric, where it apparently outperformed Google, based on the introduction in October of Search Assist.

Google Earth Image Update: Spain Images

2008: The imagery update covered the eastern edge of Spain, including Barcelona.

China Government Censured Baidu For Spreading “Filthy Pictures”

2008: Internet users in China were reportedly using Baidu to find images of actor Edison Chen and several female stars in sexual acts that were spreading throughout the web.

Topix To Power Community For Local NBC Affiliates

2008: Topix already did this for selected newspapers and Gannett TV sites and claimed 100 media partners for its local news and/or community features.

SES London 2008 Day One Recap

Google Sending Wikipedia A Ton Of Traffic

2007: The percentage of Google’s downstream traffic going to Wikipedia increased by 166% year over year.

Google Finance Plus Signs In Google Search Results

2007: Clicking on the plus sign opened a Google Finance preview.

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.

< February 18 | Search Marketing History | February 20 >

The post This day in search marketing history: February 19 appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-february-19-393309

5 Ways You Can Damage Your Kitchen Cabinets

Home Business Magazine Online

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, one of the most critical elements to consider is the cabinets. Cabinets can make or break a kitchen’s design, and they are often one of the most expensive parts of a renovation. However, renovation industry pros from Kitchen Magic claim that many homeowners don’t realize how easy it is to damage them if they aren’t careful.

How Can I Accidentally Damage My Kitchen Cabinets?

Here are five ways that you could be damaging your cabinets without even realizing it:

1. Overloading

You may be tempted to stuff too many items into your cabinets, but this can cause pressure on the hinges and door frames. This can lead to warping, splitting and cracking over time, which can compromise the integrity of the cabinet and result in costly repairs or replacements.

2. Improper Cleaning Solutions

Many people use harsh chemical cleaners on their kitchen cabinets when they should actually be using milder products such as dish soap or wood polish specifically designed for wood cabinets. These harsher chemicals can strip away protective layers and leave behind a residue that accelerates wear and tear on the cabinets.

3. Poor Installation

One of the biggest mistakes people make when installing new kitchen cabinets is failing to secure them properly or level them correctly. This can cause problems with doors not shutting all the way or drawers not gliding smoothly — both of which can put undue pressure on other components and lead to permanent damage over time.

4. Improper Moisture Control

If you have wooden cabinets, moisture control is key. Excess humidity or water exposure, whether from steam while cooking, leaks from sink fixtures or even just everyday condensation, can lead to warping and discoloration in wood cabinetry. This is often impossible to repair without a full replacement.

5. Ignoring Repairs

Kitchen cabinet hinge screws tend to come loose over time due to normal wear and tear, but many people ignore these little issues until they become bigger problems down the line. For example, if door hinges aren’t tightened regularly they may start sagging after some time, creating more stress on other components like drawer slides. This can result in further damage down the road that could have been avoided by just tightening up those screws periodically.

How Can I Properly Take Care of My Kitchen Cabinets?

It’s important to be proactive when caring for your cabinets in order to avoid costly repairs down the line. The following tips will help you keep your kitchen cabinets looking great for years to come:

1. Regular Cleaning with Mild Solutions

First, regularly remove dust and debris from the cabinet exterior with a soft, damp cloth. Don’t forget to wipe down the handles and knobs too. To protect against water damage and staining, you should use a mild cleaner or wood polish on the exterior at least once every few months. If your cabinets are laminate or painted, then use a non-abrasive spray cleaner specifically designed for this material.

2. Regular Maintenance

You should periodically check for loose screws or hardware that needs tightening and take care of them. It’s also important to check for outdated sealant between the countertops and backsplash of the cabinet which may need reapplication. Finally, make sure you always store heavy items on lower shelves so that they don’t cause strain on the frame of the cabinet itself.

Taking proper care of your kitchen cabinets can be easy if done regularly. Make sure you’re using appropriate products and methods to maintain their appearance while also preserving their longevity. Regularly wiping away dust and debris while using preventative measures like sealing every few years will ensure your kitchen looks great for many years to come.

The post 5 Ways You Can Damage Your Kitchen Cabinets appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/home-improvement/5-ways-damage-kitchen-cabinets/

How to Set Clear Guidelines on How Much Allowance You’ll Give Per Week or Month

Home Business Magazine Online

Every parent should teach their children financial responsibility, and one of the ways is to give them pocket money weekly or monthly in agreement with the children, which they must distribute over the following days. The goal is to create healthy habits and responsibility for children from a young age, so that later when they reach adulthood, they will know everything about finances that they need.

Lately, you must have been googling terms such as “how to teach children to save”, “how much allowance money to give children”, or “best kids debit card”. However, the basis of everything is to start with giving pocket money and then move on to some slightly more complex things when they master it.

Explain the origin of money

First and foremost, you have to explain to children how money is earned, and that is through hard work. Money is necessary for life, and learning to handle money the right way is one of the skills they must master to have a stress and debt-free future.

How to decide how much allowance to give them

More important than the amount of money is the goal of teaching them how to distribute money rationally and correctly and not to spend it in the same second. You give the amount of money concerning their needs as well as the age of the child. The older children have the most needs, so they need a much larger allowance than younger children. The money increases according to age, but also by a commitment to helping with household chores.

Establish allowance money rules

Allowance is a form of helping a child and also a way to teach them how to handle money properly. Therefore, many parents decide to pay their children for the commitment, work, and interest they have in curricular, extracurricular, household chores, and helping within the community. Look at pocket money as a tool for teaching children about the proper handling and disposal of money.

You need to establish clear rules

If the children do not help in the household or have bad grades in school, you have to punish them in some way, and that is by reducing the pocket money for the next week or month. Children must understand that they have their role within the family that they must perform and fulfill.

Create a table of activities and obligations that the children must fulfill in the current week or month, and depending on their efforts, the pocket money will decrease or increase.

Set a rule for how often you give them pocket money

Parents establish the amount and time frame of payment of allowance money following their capabilities. When it comes to younger children, you give them a smaller amount of money usually weekly, and when it comes to slightly older children, you will have to give a slightly larger amount. It is also up to the parents to decide how often they will give allowance money; it all depends on the agreement between parents and children. Perhaps pay the teenagers money once a month because in this way they will best learn the rational distribution of money and savings.

Let the children decide which expenses they want to pay with their pocket money

This primarily applies to teenagers, and they have to choose what they want to pay out of pocket. There are various things from going out, hobbies, clothes, shoes, phone bills, or gas money if they own a car. Of course, there are things that parents will continue to pay for, but they also have to allocate some things that they will pay for out of their pocket, which has proven to be one of the better ways to learn about finances.

Encourage them to find a part-time job on their own

For many teenagers, the money their parents give them is not enough, so they look for certain part-time jobs. There are various types of jobs that teenagers can do at a discount: gardening, walking dogs, pet sitting neighbors’ pets while they are on vacation, selling lemonade, shoveling snow, babysitting, and many others. Children will feel much more useful and responsible if they have money on the side that they earn.

Conclusion

You must remember that it is not the amount of money that you give that matters, but the intention of teaching children proper, rational, and efficient use of money. When they master the skill of managing money properly, you can then start teaching them how to invest.

The post How to Set Clear Guidelines on How Much Allowance You’ll Give Per Week or Month appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/how-to-guides-money/how-to-set-clear-guidelines-how-much-allowance-give-per-week-month/

6 Tips to Help Small Business Owners Manage Their Taxes Easily

Home Business Magazine Online

Taxes can be a huge burden for small business owners. Managing taxes can be tricky and time-consuming, but any small business owner can make their taxes easier to work with the right strategies. Here are several tips from expert Troy Renkemeyer to help make tax management easier for small business owners.

Know Your Tax Obligations

The first step to managing your taxes as a small business owner is knowing your tax obligations. It’s essential to understand which taxes apply to the business, when you should do them, and how much you should pay. Familiarizing yourself with these details can help you stay in compliance and prevent any costly penalties from government agencies.

To ensure you stay informed about the latest developments in taxation for your business, consider running regular checks on updates related to taxation laws or consulting with an accounting professional. Taking the time now to stay on top of this critical part of managing a business will certainly pay off in the future.

Set Up Systems

Small business owners should take the proper steps to manage their taxes efficiently. One of the most effective approaches is setting up systems to help keep track of income and spending. Automated tracking of transactions and filing papers can help avoid chaotic searching during tax time.

Developing a plan to enter expenses and income into spreadsheets allows easy access to financial statements or filing when needed. Business owners should have files specifically for tax-related documents; this allows quick retrieval if an audit occurs. Systems like these help small business owners manage their taxes more efficiently throughout the year and simplify filing.

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

Taking advantage of all the applicable tax deductions for small business owners can help reduce their overall tax bill. Knowing which deductions and allowances are available can save tremendous money over time.

Some examples include car expenses, entertainment costs, travel expenses, staff training courses, health insurance plans, home office expenses, utilities, rent, and many other costs. It’s critically important to keep all related receipts to ensure any deduction is valid and appropriately justified when the time comes for filing taxes.

By taking full advantage of these allowed deductions, small business owners can significantly decrease their taxable income resulting in money saved on taxes!

Use Professional Help When Needed

Even if you have the knowledge and experience necessary to file and manage your taxes, it may be best to seek professional help from an accountant or CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Tax professionals understand the ins and outs of filing annual returns and can save you both time and money in the long run.

Professionals may also offer proactive measures such as establishing an installment plan for paying income tax debts over the year or performing quarterly reviews to ensure you comply with all relevant regulations.

Make Estimated Payments on Time

If you owe estimated payments throughout the year (which most self-employed individuals do), make sure these payments are made on time to avoid penalties or interest charges from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Doing this will ensure that you don’t have any surprises later down the line when it comes time to file your return or pay any remaining balances due.

Stay Updated on Tax Laws

Staying abreast of the constant changes in tax law is critical for small business owners who want to ensure they are not subject to financially damaging penalties. The best way to stay current on all changes is by regularly reviewing official websites, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to access available updated resources.

Additionally, subscribe to newsletters from reputable sources and follow experts on social media who specialize in taxation topics. These methods can alert small business owners of changes affecting their businesses so they can adjust their filing parameters accordingly. Investing time into staying up-to-date on tax laws can provide considerable savings in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Staying organized is critical when managing taxes as a small business owner. With these tips from Troy Renkemeyer in mind, managing taxes can become more manageable. You’ll find yourself meeting your tax obligations more efficiently in no time!

The post 6 Tips to Help Small Business Owners Manage Their Taxes Easily appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/taxing-times/6-tips-help-small-business-owners-manage-taxes-easily/

Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP Benefits and Impact

Home Business Magazine Online

The Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP is a new initiative from the FCC that offers a monthly broadband subsidy to low-income households. The program is designed to help close the digital divide and make sure everyone has access to the internet.

With access to the internet, households are able to gain access to valuable resources for education, livelihood, healthcare, and other essential services.

Here is how the acp benefits communities and creates impacts in communities nationwide.

1. Increased internet access for low-income communities

The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program has had a positive impact on low-income communities by increasing affordable access to internet services. According to the most recent data, the program has helped to increase broadband adoption and reported millions of sign-ups on a weekly basis since its launch.

The jump in the number of houses signing up is also due to other government initiatives related to the ACP. The state of Louisiana for example has created the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities or GUMBO grant. The grant provides funding for private companies to bring broadband infrastructure to rural communities previously unserved by internet service providers.

2. Improved educational opportunities

The recent COVID pandemic has especially taught us the importance of being able to access educational resources at home, via a high-speed broadband connection. During the lockdowns, schools were forced to shift to virtual-based classrooms. Teachers had to make use of video conferencing apps to hold classes online, due to strict no-contact policies in place during the height of the pandemic. Households without proper internet connection would inadvertently be left behind in classes due to poor connection.

In addressing this, the government recognized that affordable connectivity is critical for ensuring that all members of our community have access to the educational opportunities they need to succeed. Through the Affordable Connectivity Program, we have seen an increase in the number of families who are able to connect to the internet at home, positively impacting student learning at home, and allowing easier access to educational resources.

3. Enhanced economic development

The Affordable Connectivity Program is also impacting economic development in rural areas and low-income communities. By increasing access to high-speed broadband, the ACP has helped to create job opportunities for individuals through remote work, as well as business opportunities for small-time entrepreneurs. And due to the availability of broadband in what used to be unserved locations, new businesses and investments are slowly being attracted by these participating communities.

4. Improved digital literacy

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the ACP also impacts communities by addressing the lack or gap in digital literacy within underserved communities. Digital literacy is defined by UNESCO as the ability to effectively use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to understand, evaluate, create and communicate digital information.

Through the ACP, communities also are able to gain access to digital literacy resources sponsored by public and private organizations. These resources come in the form of information campaigns and practical training on how to use digital devices such as computers, and tablets, and also in the use of essential applications.

The post Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP Benefits and Impact appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/home-office/internet-technology/affordable-connectivity-program-acp-benefits-impact/

Report: Google sharing Chrome iOS search revenue with Apple

Google pays Apple a share of revenue generated from Chrome search traffic, according to a new report from The Register.

Revenue share reveal. In a 356-page report, published June 10, 2022, there was a key redaction:

Google pays Apple a share of the search revenue it earns from browser traffic on iOS in the following contexts: in return for being the default search provider on Safari, Google pays Apple a share of revenue derived from Safari search traffic; and pursuant to various commercial arrangements, Google pays Apple a share of revenue derived from [redacted] search traffic.

– CMA, Mobile ecosystems, Market study final report

According to The Register, that redacted word is “Chrome.” And it was redacted from another section of the CMA’s report:

Under these agreements, Apple receives a significant share of revenue from Google Search traffic on Safari and [redacted] on iOS devices. Google’s estimated payments to Apple for search default status on Safari (£[1-1.5] billion total in 2021 for the UK) were substantially more than those made to its next largest partner, Samsung. This high level of payment is likely to reflect Apple’s strong positions in browsers (and other search access points) and browser engines (through the WebKit restriction).

Why we care. Almost every year, we’ve heard rumors about Apple finally unveiling its own search engine to compete with Google. Yet it has never happened. Could this be a – or the – reason why? Is Google essentially paying Apple not to become a search competitor and thus, both are maintaining their status quo?

Maintaining dominance? It’s impossible to deny Google and Apple have a mutually beneficial relationship. And there’s further theory to be found about how important that relationship is within this antitrust lawsuit, which alleges:

More than half (50%) of Google’s search business was conducted through use of Apple devices.

Because more than half of Google’s search business was conducted through Apple devices, Apple was a major potential threat to Google, and that threat was designated by Google as “Code Red.”

Google paid billions of dollars to Apple and agreed to share its profits with Apple to eliminate the threat and fear of Apple as a competitor.

Google viewed the aspect of Apple as a potential competitor to be “Code Red.”

If Apple became a competitor in the search business, Google would have lost half of its business.

What isn’t new. Google has paid Apple billions of dollars over the years to remain the default search option on Apple devices. What started as a $1 billion dollar deal has grown to be worth an estimated $15 billion annually (in 2021) to Apple.

We’ve covered the evolution of the Google-Apple search deal in prior years:

Read the story. More details in What Brit watchdog redacted: Google gives Apple cut of Chrome iOS search revenue by Thomas Claburn.

The post Report: Google sharing Chrome iOS search revenue with Apple appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/report-google-sharing-chrome-ios-search-revenue-with-apple-393296

This day in search marketing history: February 18

Yahoo stops using Google search

In 2004, Yahoo stopped using Google’s web search results and rolled out its own new index and ranking system.

Although Yahoo had purchased Inktomi in December 2002, Yahoo opted to build its own web search engine. Yahoo still relied on Google for image search and and News search was a combination of Yahoo’s own editorial and technological resources.

The quality of Yahoo’s results were impressive at the time. As for what was being indexed:

“The Yahoo Search index is capturing the full text of web pages, up to a 500K limit. This is greater than the 101K maximum indexed by Google. A broad range of file types, including HTML, PDF, and Microsoft Office documents is also included in the mix.

How big is Yahoo’s index? They aren’t saying, despite Google’s announcement yesterday that it has expanded its index to nearly 4.3 billion documents (6 billion, if you count images and newsgroup postings, as Google does).

Interestingly, in almost all of my tests with random queries, Yahoo reports more results found than Google. Does this mean that Yahoo’s index is bigger? Perhaps — but reported results are estimates, not exact counts. They also can include factors other than keyword matches and so are notoriously unreliable measures of overall index size. Suffice to say that Yahoo’s index is comparable to Google’s for most queries.”

– Search Engine Watch, Yahoo! Birth of a New Machine

At the time, Microsoft had yet to launch its own web crawler for MSN Search, and Ask Jeeves/Teoma was the only other top tier search engine available.

Search Engine Land also wished Yahoo a happy 5th birthday in 2009.

Also on this day

Google testing questions and answers in the Google Maps interface

2022: This feature first launched in 2017 in the local panel and Google appears to be testing it in Google Maps.

LinkedIn’s Service Pages for freelancers adds features to showcase credibility

2022: Service Page owners could show the organization they worked for and include media from their portfolio.

Google updated metric boundaries for core web vitals in Search Console

2021: Google made a small change to the metric boundaries it used for defining red versus yellow versus green scores in this report.

Responsive search ads now the default in Google Ads

2021: Though expanded text ads could still be created.

Google brings Display ads to attribution reports as an open beta

2021: Advertisers could see Display ads alongside search and YouTube.

Google Search Console Change of Address tool adds redirect validation & reminder

2020: Google announced two new features to the Change of Address tool within Google Search Console.

Google Ads intros ‘continuous audience sharing’ for manager accounts

2020: The opt-in capability was available in manager account settings.

Goodbye Search Engine Land, SMX and Third Door Media

2020: After more than two decades of writing about search and online marketing, as well as speaking at and organizing conferences, Chris Sherman moved on.

Marketers can now view Shopping Campaigns in Bing Ads search terms reporting

2019: The updated reporting grid also included an Added/Excluded keywords column.

Tell Google Why You Want More Than 90 Days Of Search Analytics Data

2016: Despite having a way to export your Search Console data and the Search Analytics API, Google wanted to know why you wanted more data directly in the Search Console.

Google To Launch AMP In Search Results On Feb. 24, 2016

2016: That meant that mobile searchers wou8ld begin to see AMP-optimized content from publishers in the search results.

New In AdWords: Stage Campaign Changes In Drafts, Test Changes In Experiments

2016: Campaign drafts and experiments made reviewing proposed changes and testing those changes more accessible.

Since 2013 Bing’s Share Up 5 Points, Ask & AOL Going Way Of The BlackBerry

2016: There was almost no movement in the numbers from the previous month.

Trademark Court’s Impossible Order: Uber Told To Change Google Search Results

2016: Judge tried to strike a balance but failed to understand the inherent problem at the heart of order – controlling search outcomes.

Bing Rolls Out Red Carpet For The Oscars With Its “Academy Awards Experience”

2016: Bing’s Guide to the Academy Awards delivered Oscar-related content, including past winners, red carpet fashions and memorable show moments.

See All Of The New Google AdWords Updates On One Web Page

2015: Google created a new page that acts as a release notes document for showing advertisers the latest updates and feature releases.

Competitive Bid Opportunities Arrive On Bing To Help Advertisers Analyze Themselves Against Rivals

2015: Tool allowed advertisers to stack themselves up against the competition, and instantly make changes where they see fit.

Google Testing More Ads On Knowledge Graph Panels: Google Play Gets The Spotlight

2014: Ads on the knowledge graph were for movie streaming rentals that gave Google Play the VIP treatment.

Out Of Beta: Google Shopping Campaigns For PLAs Now Available Globally

2014: After just over a 3-month beta period, Google rolled out Shopping campaigns to all users.

Bing Adds Three New Apps For Windows Phones: Travel, Food & Drink and Health & Fitness

2014: Bing added three new apps for the Windows Phone and refreshed several of their other apps.

Aviate Is Yahoo’s Answer To Google Now (And More)

2014: But it wasn’t “robust” enough to fulfill its strategic potential. 

Delivering On Search: Behind The Scenes With An Ad Agency SEO Manager

2014: Insight on Hillary Glaser’s role within ad agency Lowe Campbell Ewald and how she saw brands failing when it came to search efforts.

Google Works To Prevent Illegal Download Sites From Having A Credit Source

2013: Google was in talks with Visa, Mastercard and PayPal to prevent these types of companies from using credit cards or PayPal accounts.

Search Engines More Trusted Than Social Media For News & Information [Study]

2013: When it came to getting general news and information, consumers worldwide put as much trust in search engines as they did in traditional media — and more in both than they do in social media.

Reddit AMA Reveals Graph Search Has Been In The Works Since Early 2011 & Specs On How It Works

2013: One reason that Graph Search rolled out so slowly: privacy.

Court Reversal Brings Surprising Loss For Google In AdWords Trademark Case

2011: A Federal judge in California denied Google’s motion to dismiss a “false association” claim.

Obama’s Silicon Valley “Tech Supper” – Who Sat Where? Why Was He There?

2011: Google CEO Eric Schmidt was there, as was Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz.

Search In Pics: Google Lederhosen, Umbrellas & Logos

2011: The latest images showing what people eat at the search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have and more.

Is Google Referrer Spamming To Detect Spam?

2010: Possible evidence that Google was using fake referrers, possibly to detect forms of spam.

Google Gets Patent For Variable Content Access By Geography

2010: Google book scanning and search appeared to be the primary intended use case. 

Yahoo & Microsoft Receive Go Ahead To Implement Search Deal

2010: They received “unrestricted” clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission to proceed.

Google Wants Mountain View To Change Zoning Laws

2010: Google wanted to enable their employees to live closer to the Googleplex, which would make for happier employees.

Google Maps On Steroids: New Display Shows Dozens Of Businesses (Maybe More)

2009: Google added a layer for local search results that activated when there were more relevant results than it could show on one page.

Google Expands AdSense For Domains Globally

2009: Google had promised to continue the expansion after making the program available to all U.S. publishers In December 2008.

Google Latitude Attracts A Million Users In A Week

2009: That’s what Google VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra said.

Google Finally Releases Google Mobile App For Windows Mobile

2009: Seven months after the release of the iPhone, Google brought their mobile app to the Windows Mobile device.

SearchBiz Legal Edition: Varney Uses The “M Word,” More AdWords Litigation, Yahoo Lawyer Files Complaint — Against Yahoo

2009: This question of whether Google was a “monopoly” when “the competition is a click away” was subtle and complex.

Google 10K: 55% More Employees, 99% Of Income Via Ads & More

2008: Advertising revenues made up 99% of Google’s revenues in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

It’s The Culture Stupid: Happy Googlers Sound Off On What They Like About The Place

2008: There was a self-conscious effort internally to maintain the atmosphere and culture that had enabled Google to succeed.

Google Contractor Sues Google Over Google Sky Layer

2008: A Google contractor sued Google for allegedly stealing a Sky layer idea from him.

Google Helps In Child Porn Bust In United States

2008: A high school teacher was indicted for distributing and soliciting child pornography on Google-owned Hello.com.

Blueprints Of Google’s Oregon Data Center

2008: The data center would require enough power to light up about 82,000 homes, equivalent to 103-megawatts of electricity.

Yahoo Buzz: Next Digg Competitor

2008: Yahoo Buzz would be similar to Digg, but start only with 100 sites allowed into the system. 

Hitwise: Google Users Older, Bigger Spenders Than Yahoo’s

2008: Google users were more likely to be affluent and have spent more online.

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.

< February 17 | Search Marketing History | February 19 >

The post This day in search marketing history: February 18 appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-february-18-393248

6 Tips to Help Small Business Owners Manage Their Taxes Easily

Home Business Magazine Online

Taxes can be a huge burden for small business owners. Managing taxes can be tricky and time-consuming, but any small business owner can make their taxes easier to work with the right strategies. Here are several tips from expert Troy Renkemeyer to help make tax management easier for small business owners.

Know Your Tax Obligations

The first step to managing your taxes as a small business owner is knowing your tax obligations. It’s essential to understand which taxes apply to the business, when you should do them, and how much you should pay. Familiarizing yourself with these details can help you stay in compliance and prevent any costly penalties from government agencies.

To ensure you stay informed about the latest developments in taxation for your business, consider running regular checks on updates related to taxation laws or consulting with an accounting professional. Taking the time now to stay on top of this critical part of managing a business will certainly pay off in the future.

Set Up Systems

Small business owners should take the proper steps to manage their taxes efficiently. One of the most effective approaches is setting up systems to help keep track of income and spending. Automated tracking of transactions and filing papers can help avoid chaotic searching during tax time.

Developing a plan to enter expenses and income into spreadsheets allows easy access to financial statements or filing when needed. Business owners should have files specifically for tax-related documents; this allows quick retrieval if an audit occurs. Systems like these help small business owners manage their taxes more efficiently throughout the year and simplify filing.

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

Taking advantage of all the applicable tax deductions for small business owners can help reduce their overall tax bill. Knowing which deductions and allowances are available can save tremendous money over time.

Some examples include car expenses, entertainment costs, travel expenses, staff training courses, health insurance plans, home office expenses, utilities, rent, and many other costs. It’s critically important to keep all related receipts to ensure any deduction is valid and appropriately justified when the time comes for filing taxes.

By taking full advantage of these allowed deductions, small business owners can significantly decrease their taxable income resulting in money saved on taxes!

Use Professional Help When Needed

Even if you have the knowledge and experience necessary to file and manage your taxes, it may be best to seek professional help from an accountant or CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Tax professionals understand the ins and outs of filing annual returns and can save you both time and money in the long run.

Professionals may also offer proactive measures such as establishing an installment plan for paying income tax debts over the year or performing quarterly reviews to ensure you comply with all relevant regulations.

Make Estimated Payments on Time

If you owe estimated payments throughout the year (which most self-employed individuals do), make sure these payments are made on time to avoid penalties or interest charges from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Doing this will ensure that you don’t have any surprises later down the line when it comes time to file your return or pay any remaining balances due.

Stay Updated on Tax Laws

Staying abreast of the constant changes in tax law is critical for small business owners who want to ensure they are not subject to financially damaging penalties. The best way to stay current on all changes is by regularly reviewing official websites, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to access available updated resources.

Additionally, subscribe to newsletters from reputable sources and follow experts on social media who specialize in taxation topics. These methods can alert small business owners of changes affecting their businesses so they can adjust their filing parameters accordingly. Investing time into staying up-to-date on tax laws can provide considerable savings in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Staying organized is critical when managing taxes as a small business owner. With these tips from Troy Renkemeyer in mind, managing taxes can become more manageable. You’ll find yourself meeting your tax obligations more efficiently in no time!

The post 6 Tips to Help Small Business Owners Manage Their Taxes Easily appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/taxing-times/6-tips-help-small-business-owners-manage-taxes-easily/

Using Margin Finance to Fund Your Business – What You Should Know

Home Business Magazine Online

You can increase your buying power by borrowing money. It is one of the most efficient ways for those who want to buy priced items such as properties that they cannot afford with cash. However, very few people know that they can do that using stocks.

As an investor, you can increase your buying power using stocks. You can also fund your business and do many other things using stocks. This, however, depends on your balance and the type of brokerage account you have.

This leads us to margin trading. Financial experts refer to it as leveraging your capital. However, is margin trading a good idea? Should you use margin finance to fund your business?

Here is what you should know;

What Is Margin Finance?

Margin finance can be defined as the collateral deposited by an investor with their exchange or broker and used to cover the investor’s credit risk for the exchange or broker. Investors create credit risks when they borrow money from brokers for different purposes, maybe funding their businesses.

If you have heard about margin finance, chances are high that you have also heard about buying on margin. This is what happens when you borrow part of the required money from a broker. You make the initial payment to a broker and then use marginable securities as collateral.

Margin finance is used when buying an asset that you cannot afford. Some investors use it to fund their businesses. Depending on what you want to do, it is important to understand the risks and benefits of borrowing on your existing securities.

Example of Margin Finance

Let us assume that you have $50,000 in your investment portfolio. You want $10,000 to fund your business. Unfortunately, you do not have this money. Looking at other borrowing options, you find that they are expensive and would not make sense.

You, therefore, decide to go for margin lending. Through your margin account, you withdraw $10,000 to fund your business.

By doing this, you will get the money you need to fund your business. In addition, then $10,000 remains as an investment in your portfolio. You will not miss out on any market returns since your securities remain intact.

Getting a Margin Loan

You will need to open a brokerage margin account before using margin finance to fund your business. In addition, you will also need a specific minimum equity in the account. This allows you to borrow against your investment portfolio.

However, it is important to note that your securities have to be marginable for you to use them as collateral. Different brokerages have different terms and conditions for margin finance.

This might include things like the portfolio value percentage one can borrow, equity requirements, and marginable securities.

Benefits of Borrowing on Your Existing Securities

Borrowing on your existing securities comes with more flexibility especially on repayment compared to mortgages, personal loans, or fixed-term loans. It allows you to gain liquidity without affecting your existing investment portfolio.

Looking at the example discussed above, for instance, you can fund your business while still retaining your portfolio. You get the money you need for your business without affecting your securities. Your investment objectives remain on track even though you borrowed money against your securities. It also helps you avoid catastrophes when investing your money.

Borrowing on your existing securities increases your buying power. With margin finance, you can invest more money than you can afford. If, for instance, you want to invest in high-share-priced stocks, then margin finance might be the only way for you.

It also allows you to diversify. If you decide to use cash, you might be able to invest in a few stocks. However, if you borrow on your existing securities, you can buy many stocks without liquidating your existing portfolio. This allows you to spread your risks.

Risks of Borrowing on Your Existing Securities

No matter how good a financial product might look, it must have some risks. One of the notable risks of borrowing on your existing securities or margin finance is a margin call. It is also referred to as a maintenance margin call.

Depending on the market, you might find yourself in a situation where the value of your portfolio’s securities fluctuates. When this happens, the value of the money you have borrowed against your existing securities does not change.

When your portfolio’s value falls to a certain point, you might have your brokerage issuing a margin call. This requires you to increase your marginable securities or add money to your margin account in a bid to get your equity to the required or accepted level.

You, therefore, need to keep checking your margin loans since they increase your risk levels. Your portfolio’s value can fall or rise depending on the market. In case of a fall, you might be forced to sell your securities, buy more eligible securities, or deposit cash into your margin account. This makes margin finance suitable for short-term investments.

Is Margin Finance the Best Option?

A bigger percentage of business owners borrow money to fund their businesses. They find themselves in situations where they need funds that they do not have in cash. When this happens, they can borrow considering things like good interest rates, repayment terms, and easier access to funds. Margin finance is the best bet for business owners.

The post Using Margin Finance to Fund Your Business – What You Should Know appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/business-start-up/raising-money/using-margin-finance-fund-business-know/

The Benefits of In-Person Events for Remote Companies

Home Business Magazine Online

By Amanda Reseburg

During the pandemic, remote work became quickly became standard practice across many parts of the world. According to studies, 56% of global companies allow for some remote work, whereas 16% are now entirely remote. The pandemic impacted the ability of many teams to gather in person, but now that remote work is far more accepted, some are finding that disconnect persisting.

But even if a company is 100% remote, they do not have to sacrifice in-person events that can help with team building and company growth. When a company dedicates itself to being intentional about bringing its remote employees together, it can build some incredibly beneficial (and fun) in-person opportunities.

Bringing people together

Shiela Mie Legpasi, President of the all-remote company Cyberbacker, knows the myriad of benefits of remote work. After all, it was going remote that changed her life’s trajectory.

“When I was presented with the opportunity to work remotely from home, it changed the structure of my entire life,” Legpasi shares. “Working remotely has allowed people like myself to support their families while remaining present for children.” Maintaining a remote workforce is also cost-effective for companies and opens up options for a workforce in a labor-shortage climate.

However, as anyone who works remotely can tell you, the connection with one’s coworkers can be challenging in a remote environment. Where once we could team-build and foster connections with each other face-to-face, a shift to a remote workplace has left some wondering if there is a place for the in-person event anymore.

To Legpasi, any work situation needs a measure of balance — or, as she says, counterbalance — to work effectively for all parties. Investing in in-person opportunities for remote employees could give those employees some of that balance they may be looking for.

According to recent research, 62% of remote workers felt that limited social interaction with their coworkers negatively affected their mental health. To find this counterbalance, many companies are extolling the benefits of in-person events.

The benefits of face-to-face

When your company team is spread all over the country or even worldwide, it can seem nearly impossible to gather them all together in person on a regular basis. Yet, many companies are making an effort to do at least one “all-hands” meeting a year. Annual meetings allow teams that work remotely with one another to meet face-to-face, interact, let their hair down, and share bonding time.

For CEOs, in-person meetings and events allow for timely business decision-making, foster more strategic thinking, and also help boost the economy through travel and hosting money spent in various locations. As productive as people are remotely, and as much as remote work can help with retention, there really is no substitute for a friendly handshake, a dinner with coworkers after a day of productive meetings, or bending the ear of the company CEO in person. While Cyberbacker has mastered replicating interpersonal communication through Zoom and popular text-base communication platforms like Slack, Legaspi emphasizes that in-person meetings are still crucial to their culture when possible.

With all of the benefits of in-person events and meetings, it would behoove even the most ardent remote work supporters to consider planning an in-person meetup, even if it is only annually.

One of the biggest wins for remote workers is the chance to get back some semblance of balance in their lives. Whether that be structuring a work-from-home schedule that works better with their family schedule or if it’s a job that gives them a chance to do some hybrid work in the office and at home.

Whatever the workplace structure, the value of in-person meetings and events is clear. As Legpasi stresses, it is all a part of a workplace that recognizes the need for balance.

“Sometimes, the necessary work requires one to come in early, work late, or work during the weekends,” she explains. “As a counterbalance, vacation time is widely available, and I can completely focus on my family during that time. Leaders will tell you that you will fail if you lean too far one way or the other. Burnout will be inevitable.”

Final thoughts on in-person events

With employee retention and avoiding burnout high on the priority lists of leaders, giving credence to the need for valuable in-person interaction with flexible remote work time is essential. It could go a long way toward creating a healthy and happy work environment for all.

About the Author: Amanda Reseburg has been a freelance journalist since 2016, with work featured in Scary Mommy and the Beloit Daily News. She was a creative entrepreneur for 13 years and founded her own hospice photography volunteer program, profiled by PBS. She lives in Orlando with her husband and three children.

The post The Benefits of In-Person Events for Remote Companies appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/employees/benefits-in-person-events-remote-companies/