March 9, 2016
mikepiccoli

Google is testing out a new Self Promotion Search Feature (that is not called Google Posts)

Google has a new experimental feature that lets certain brands, businesses, and people post their own content into the search results directly. This content is unique and by invitation only (you can join the waiting list here). The design of the search results is similar to Google’s mobile cards which can be swiped, clicked, or tapped on to read more information.

Google first started using it by letting presidential candidates post debate rebuttals and stances on key issues like Flint’s Water Crisis or the Debates. You can see some examples below:

Google Posts Presidential Candidates Example Hillary Clinton — Example of Google’s new experimental feature for Presidential Candidates- Hillary Clinton cards

Google Posts Presidential Candidates Example Marco Rubio — Example of Google’s new experimental feature for Presidential Candidates- Hillary Clinton cards

Google has since allowed certain business to use this as of yet unnamed feature. Google confirmed that the test does not have a name as of yet to The Verge.

Businesses using this feature was first noticed by Mike Blumenthal when he noticed the new feature while searching for Engagement Rings in Buffalo, NY:

Google Posts Example - Andrew Jewelers Buffalo NY — Andre’s Jewelers in Buffalo, NY was the first example found on a search for businesses testing Google’s new experiment

Post can be shared on major Social Media sites and via email but you do not have the ability to comment or “like” the content. Video is also allowed as a method for publishing content.

Full Page of Google — You can expand the content to view all the published content in a page that is similar to a slimmed down version of of a Plus Page.

According to a Search Engine Land article, this is an experiment involving a “few dozen” local businesses that Google approached. It is also worth noting that GIFs are being allowed in the Search Results for this feature.

Example of GIF usage by Escape Pod Comics in search results in Google’s new Search Experiment

These “Cards” are displayed next to the Knowledge panel on desktops and below the knowledge panel equivalent on mobile devices. This feature allows businesses to communicate/promote/highlight directly on the search results.

All of us at Green Arrow Marketing & Media are very excited about this for our clients. Obviously, this feature could be huge for SEO, but it is too early to tell who will be able to participate as they keep experimenting or whether Google will roll this out permanently.

If you are as excited about this as we are, please feel free to share this article!

Last updated 10:01 AM EST 03/10/2016 by Sergio Cuéllar

image of Sergio Cuéllar - Green Arrow Marketing & Media — About the author

Sergio Cuéllar oversees Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Search Engine Marketing (SEM) at Green Arrow Marketing & Media and has been in digital marketing since 2006 with experience in advertising, marketing, sales, technology, and the automotive industry.

Google’s New Experimental Search Feature

Google is testing out a new Self Promotion Search Feature (that is not called Google Posts)

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