Google Local Pack Displaying Logos In Web Search Results

Google testing a new local pack in the web search results that displays not just maps, but also logos and pictures of the business listing.

Google is testing a new local pack design, also known as the “snack pack,” it’s local maps results found in the web search results that are triggered based on local intent queries.

The newly tested local pack is displaying logos for some searchers. I am personally not able to replicate it, but Justin Aldridge posted a screen shot of it on Twitter:
Typically, the local pack just contains the business name, location, reviews and a map. You can see the map image in the first result in the local pack image above. But the two other results show the company’s logos.

Jennifer Slegg posted an expanded view of what you see after you click on the “more yacht charter” link to show more local results. As you can see, some contain maps, some contain logos and some contain pictures from their local business listing:

Google Is Practically Begging Firefox Users To Switch Their Default Search Engine

A new message above Google's search results is the most visible attempt yet at getting Firefox users to switch back to Google.

It almost looks desperate. Google has placed a big, new message above its organic search results that asks — practically begs — Firefox users to make Google their default search engine.

While searching tonight, I suddenly came across the giant … alert? ad? request? … that you see above. It looks a bit like a Google One box, but says “Switch your default search engine to Google” and has a button to “Learn how” and another button that says “No, thanks.”

Danny Sullivan, our founding editor, also tested this and saw the same switch request I saw. And the folks at IPIX Solutions saw it tonight, too, and tweeted about it.

 Why would Google give up the top two-plus inches of its search results page like this? It goes back to the November announcement that Mozilla was dropping Google in favor of Yahoo as the default search engine in its Firefox web browser. Even as the No. 3 browser with about 16 percent market share (according to Stat Counter), Firefox still drives a substantial number of searches.

Since the deal was announced, Yahoo’s search share rose from 8.6 percent in November (again, Stat Counter estimates) to 10.9 percent in January. According to com Score, Yahoo’s market share in the US jumped from 10.2 percent in November to 11.8 percent in December. More recently, though, there are signs that Yahoo’s market share may have hit a ceiling, at least in terms of the immediate bump from its deal with Mozilla.

The switch request showing tonight isn’t Google’s first attempt to lure back Firefox users. Wedocumented a number of other messages that have been shown to Firefox users — but none of those were placed right inside Google’s search results like this.

How to approach publishing processes on multiple devices

UX designer Karen McGrane explains how to protect content in the "zombie apocalypse of devices".

This April's Generate New York Conference for web designers unites some of the most inspiring minds in the industry, including Val Head, Lara Hogan, Joshua Davis, Anton Repponen, Mike Monteiro and many many more.

Last year was a great success and brought together talented creatives to enthuse and inform, including the likes of content strategist and UX designer, Karen McGrane.

Karen described the importance of separating content from form. She explains how our online input systems are designed like a print document, which causes issues when facing new technologies. Creating new content for specific devices, like digital signage would be too timely and costly.

Karen gives her insight into how to battle what she calls the "zombie apocalypse of devices" - How do we protect ourselves from all of these new devices being thrown at us too quickly to tackle each on their own? She argues,we need to think differently about our approach to publishing processes.

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Protecting yourself and your mobile in an ever connecting world

We are living in a ‘mobile everything’ world, whether it’s work, rest or play. From the Internet of Things to mobile apps, we’re more reliant on mobile technology than ever before.

But what steps can consumers take to protect themselves while using their mobile devices?

SEE ALSO: Is Beats going broke under Apple?

Intel Security offers the following advice:

Downloads

When downloading mobile applications, only do so from a reputable app store, and verify that the app is legitimate and safe by checking other users’ reviews.

Passwords

Create a variety of strong passwords. In the event that a cyber criminal was able to access the plain text data stored passwords, you wouldn’t want him or her to have unrestricted access to your entire online life.

It’s important to create a variety of unique and strong passwords to use across your apps and accounts. Strong passwords generally contain all four character types: upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as exclamation points or pound signs.

Sharing information

Think twice before sharing personal information. If you do visit a website from an email and you are asked to supply your name, address, banking information, password, or any other personal information – do not give this info, as it is likely a phishing attempt.If you have any doubts on the validity of a claim, give the company headquarters a call to verify.

Security

Protect all of your devices with comprehensive security. Keep your personal data out of the hands of cyber criminals by installing comprehensive security software on all of your devices.

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Australian Retail e-commerce Sales to Top $10 Billion in 2015

Retail e-commerce sales will account for 4.5% of retail sales in the country this year 

Retail e-commerce sales in Australia will rise 14.4% this year to pass $10 billion, according to marketer’s latest estimates of retail sales, online and offline, around the globe. In 2014, e-commerce sales in the country increased 17.3% to account for over 4% of total retail sales, and that share will expand to 4.5% in 2015. Low double-digit gains will continue through 2017, and by the end of our forecast period, retail e-commerce sales will total $14.52 billion and represent 5.6% of retail sales in the country. 

Australia falls in the middle of the pack in both absolute terms and percentage of total retail e-commerce sales when compared with the other Asia-Pacific countries for which we produce estimates, behind China, Japan and South Korea and ahead of India and Indonesia.

Interestingly, digital buyer penetration among internet users in Australia is the second highest in Asia-Pacific. EMarketer estimates that 79.4% of internet users in the country will purchase via any digital channel this year, behind only Japan (82.0% penetration). Due to its size, though, Australia has the smallest digital buyer population in Asia-Pacific, at 12.1 million.

Australia’s e-commerce landscape is crowded with international competitors—especially eBay-owned properties—according to October 2014 data from Experian Hitwise Australia. EBay Australia catalogued the highest number of visits, 23.1 million, during the week examined, accounting for 12.9% of retail site visits during that timeframe. 

The local edition of eBay-owned classifieds site Gumtree was second with 13.3 million visits and a 7.4% share, followed by eBay with 13.2 million for a 7.4% share, and Amazon with 11.6 million for a 6.5% share. [Note: The Australian version of Amazon’s site, Amazon.com.au, sells only ebooks.] 

The remaining top 10 e-commerce sites, with visitor shares of around 1% or less, included user-supported deals-posting site OzBargain, consumer electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi Australia and hardware chain Bunnings Warehouse, Apple’s site, Alibaba Group-owned discounts site AliExpress and department store chain Target Australia. The list reflects a landscape dominated by consumer-to-consumer resale sites, alongside options for business-to-consumer transactions.

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Google: Keep Your HTTP Site Verified In Webmaster Tools Even After Migrating To HTTPS

After Google announced a small ranking boost foreign HTTPS - many webmasters began migrating their sites from HTTP to HTTPS.

Would I recommend everyone do it for the ranking boost. Absolutely not. But maybe you want to consider it for other reasons outside of  the rankings - that is up to you.

John Mueller of Google was asked if there is any reason to keep the HTTP version verified in Google Webmaster Tools or just let it go away. John said on Twitter you should keep it active because it can still pass back important errors you may want to see.

When I migrated over my corporate site, I kept and still keep, both sites verified in Webmaster Tools this way I can see how the migration went in terms of index pages dropping down on HTTP and increasing on HTTPS. Plus, you can see your query reports change and of course pick up on any important errors.

We employ a variety of proven recommended techniques to increase your chance for top rankings.These include optimizing your website's page,content,and structure to drive traffic to your site for specific keyword research.

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