What Can You Expect From Google My Business Support Today
In order to assist small business owners at this time of crisis, Google launched a microsite containing resources and tools. According to the search engine, “We know this is a difficult time for people everywhere, including small business owners. We want to help. We’ve gathered some useful resources to help your business navigate these challenging times. ” Now, what should SEO companies UK and site owners also expect with the Google My Business support?
One of the things Google has pointed out is the $800 million in support for businesses, which includes a “$340 million in Google Ads credits available to all SMBs with active accounts over the past year.”
Then help with:
- Continue to adapt to new customer behaviour
- Keeping your customers up-to-date
- Running your business remotely
- Adjusting your advertising
There are also tons more aside from these.
Unfortunately, it also appears that Google My Business’ social support is limited at this time of crisis.
Google Backs Up New Type Of COVID-19 Special Announcement Schema
With regards to the new schema markup type for COVID-19 special announcements, SEO professionals and site owners should know that Google said they’d be soon supporting this. While this is not yet displayed in search results, the schema markup can now be added.
Based on the announcement that Google released on Twitter, they will be supporting the markup in the near future.
As long as they’re publishing immediate announcements that “affect schedules and other aspects of everyday life”, any organisation can use the COVID-19 special announcements’ structured data.
Here are some examples of the special announcements:
- Disease spread statistics and maps
- Announcement of a shelter-in-place directive
- Announcement of revised hours and shopping restrictions
- Closure notice (for example, closing a public transportation or school)
- Announcement of events transitioning from offline to online, or even cancellation
- Guidelines on quarantine
- Notification of new drive-through testing centres
- Restrictions in travelling
This is what the markup looks like for shelter-in-place announcements.
As Google is still on its way to officially support this schema markup, it is still unclear what the COVID-19 special announcement will look like in the search results.
Bing Now Supports Markup For COVID-19 Special Announcements
When it comes to the new markup for the special announcements, Bing is currently ahead of Google.
Bing announced last week that they would support this new type of markup in their search results. And aside from that, they will also make use of it to gather data for their new COVID-19 tracking map.
One example is the shelter-in-place announcement, which is a newly added property last week. Nevertheless, there might also be more properties that’ll be added as the COVID-19 situation and urgent needs escalate. Lastly, another recently added property is the option to markup quarantine guidelines.
Information used in this SEO UK blog came from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-my-business-launches-new-post-type-for-covid-19-related-announcements/358908/ and https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-to-support-new-covid-19-special-announcement-schema-in-search-results/358540/.
If you are searching for a trustworthy SEO company that can help you in improving your site traffic, as well as your business sales, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Position1SEO.
