🔍 Before you spend that SMB Google Ads credit

Jun 01, 2020

Good morning Search Marketer, how can SMBs maximize their ad credit?

Now that eligible SMBs are starting to receive Google Ads credits to help them during COVID-19, many will be thinking about how to best spend this bonus budget.

We reached out to Julie Friedman Bacchini, Robert Brady and Navah Hopkins — super-knowledgeable Google Ads experts that have a wealth of experience working with SMBs — to get their thoughts. Each was asked, "What three questions should SMBs consider before spending their Google As credits?" Even if you don't qualify for a credit, their responses are worthy of your time.

Consider thinking beyond Search, for example, says Hopkins. "We often fall into the default trap of thinking about Google as search-only. This leaves out the incredibly useful and increasingly profitable YouTube and Display. Given that the most you will see from this grant is $1,000, the funds might reach further if they're fueling a community engagement campaign via Display or showcasing your amazing team and reminding folks you're open through YouTube. Best of all, these channels provide potential audience fuel for future search campaigns."

SEO + Developers = Double Strength. Google's Martin Splitt is on a mission to give SEOs and developers the knowledge and language to work better together. It's a mission shared by Search Engine Land's Detlef Johnson, who spearheads our SEO for Developers series.

"I think good developers and SEOs want websites to be fast, so oftentimes developers don't necessarily convey this properly to the business side of things, whereas SEOs already have a really good rapport with the business side of most operations and organizations," Splitt said in this clip from Live with Search Engine Land.

We are again polling our readers about how you feel about attending in-person events and conferences later this year given many states are beginning to reopen. When we first posed this question a few weeks ago, just 4 out of 10 said they would attend a live event without a proven COVID-19 vaccine in place. We'll continue to share these results as we track them. Take the quick survey here.

Read on for an excellent Pro Tip on using the Google Disavow Tool and more.

Ginny Marvin,
Editor-in-Chief

Pro Tip

Here's a guide for when -- and how -- to use the Google Disavow Tool

"Since its introduction in 2012, the Google Disavow Tool has been the only method of positively mitigating backlink risks and maintaining off-page signals," explains Kaspar Szymanski of Search Brothers. "If used correctly, the Disavow Tool becomes a one-way communication channel with Google."

"This guide is an attempt to clarify frequent misbeliefs around the Google Disavow Tool and its application. It is also an effort to address commonly associated questions and provide a blueprint for anyone considering using the tool in order to improve their website signals."

Read the guide »

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Search Shorts

Image AMP URLs and PageSpeed Insights

Image AMP URL. It was an oversight, said Malte Ubl from Google, when Google Image Search removed the original URL of the image source from Google Images.

Core web vitals in PageSpeed insights. The Google Pagespeed Insights report now has the Core Web Vitals metrics built into it. Check out those blue badges to see what comes from the Core Web Vitals, said Glenn Gabe on Twitter.

Stand apart from the competition

Winning a Search Engine Land Award can help attract new business, boost team morale, and showcase your company's achievements — all things hard-working search marketers need now, more than ever. What are you waiting for?

Start your application now »