Mike Blumenthal

I have written about a number of test products by Google recently. Their chance of success is unpredictable. Certainly Google wants to to be in lead gen… and be able to take credit for that last click before the sale. But if you want to look at the future of Google “search” square in the …

Google seems to be experimenting with a new enhancement of their Home Service Ads product which allows consumers to just call Google directly when searching for a plumber rather than searching for one and completing the transaction via the Home Services interface. Joe Goldstein spotted this Google ad on a search for “Plumber Los Gatos” which …

On mobile, scrolling down the screen seems both easier and more common for most users. I have not seen the research as to scroll depth. Regardless because the screen is smaller and the opportunity to find the answer is less, many folks don’t hesitate on mobile results. Google, more and more, seems to want users …

Google wants to make search and actions from search fast, content rich and profitable. They want to become the place (not unlike Facebook) were people go, the consume, they buy. Unlike news organizations that have the chops to do AMP pages most small businesses will take years before they achieve that level of being able …

Update: Google has confirmed that this is a test with a very limited number of local businesses. Searchengineland referred to product as “Local Business Cards”. However the Verge indicated that Google has yet to name the product.  Google appears to have a new post/stream oriented publishing platform waiting in the wings to replace Plus. Unlike Plus …

When Google ripped  Local out of Google Plus last summer and stopped linking to Plus, they noted that the unverified Plus pages (what Google called “shell” pages) would be removed. That never seemed to happen but it might just be starting now. Removing the Plus Pages must have been a difficult process with a few too many dependencies and those …

AllLocal is reporting that Google GMBL (bulk) has finally added support for businesses to add specific photos to their listings. The feature allows photos to be uploaded to for the following fields Profile photo, Logo photo, Cover photo, Other photos. More importantly Google now allows the business to identify which of the specifically uploaded photos is their …

At Local U Mike Ramsey and I take a deep dive into simple and easy to implement use cases that small businesses can take advantage of with SMS.

Early in February Barry Schwartz reported that Google had rolled out a new mobile travel search experience that made provided a very deep “click in” experience on Google. On a search like “Where to go in France” Google offered tiles in the main search for significant cities that when clicked took you to a list …

Google expanded the Local Guides program from its initial review focused emphasis and has been encouraging other types of engagements with Google Maps. in November they started giving Local Guide points for photos uploaded, and  listings edited. They even have offered Regional Lead status in MapMaker to them. The program was introduced in January of last year and while it is …