Comments on: Google Removes Adwords Express from Places

By: Whither AdWords Express? | Understanding Google Places & Local Search

Whither AdWords Express? | Understanding Google Places & Local Search — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:01:44 +0000

[...] Adwords product for SMBs, was upgraded we have heard little about the product. The interface was removed from most dashboards and we have seen no effort to promote it. Today, every Places Dashboard [...]

By: The Worst Kept “Secret” in Local Search: My Thoughts on the Impending Plus-Places Merge | Mihmorandum

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:24:22 +0000

[...] Adwords Express disappeared from the Places Dashboard two weeks [...]

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:35:35 +0000

@Eric
Most folks think that there will be additional integration. Certainly the fact that Places pages are one of the only pages within Google without a Plus share button gives the impression that the impression that the Place Page might be being depricated in some way.

@Jeffery
Are you saying you think AdWords Express is biting the dust?

@Miriam
thanks… I have lots of speaking and traveling over this week so I will still be hard to find… but I am getting back on the saddle.

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:02:31 +0000

Good to see a post from you, Mike! Missed them.
Miriam

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:39:08 +0000

“…Are you ready, Are you ready for this
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, I’m gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust…”

By: Andy Kuiper

Andy Kuiper — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:19:06 +0000

I don’t think they’ve given up on the small self serve market, or that they ever will. Two days ago, I received a $100 free advertising coupon in the mail for Express via HostGator, so they are still trying. But I think they are going to come up with something even easier (and more desirable) for the smb to utilize… and monetize that. Whatever ‘that’ turns out to be.
*I’m starting to sound like a politician… Google is going to drastically change Places to “something” and then add “something” to the new “something” so they can monetize “that”

By: Eric Christopher

Eric Christopher — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:34:14 +0000

Thanks for the info Mike…

IMHO, I think most business owners are afraid to try to market online without help and for the most part didn’t want to experiment with Express.

My prediction has always been a Places integration on a much deeper level with Google+. So watch for a link to be made soon between G+ profiles and Adwords and/or Express.

One clue is that you can now confirm authorship markup using the Rich Snippet tools IF you use a G+ account that was created with an email using your primary website domain name, ie. eric@blumenthals.com.

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:26:57 +0000

@andy

Yes it does make sense but it does beg the question of how are they going to attract the very small self serve market or if they have given up on it.

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:25:25 +0000

Ben

That sounds about right. The new interface handles multiple businesses and it makes sense to make it available under multi user management.

The questions that raises are:
-Will agencies become the primary sales avenue?
-Was google dissatisfied with current sales?
-Is this just a sales growth strategy or did google find that even with a very simple self serve interface that most adoption was by agencies?
-how will google continue to attract self serve SMBs?

By: Andy Kuiper

Andy Kuiper — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:03:17 +0000

I think it makes sense in the long run. They are going to do ‘something drastic’ to Places sometime down the road, so moving things like Express out allows for an easier transition.