Hey there, time flies, and it’s August already?!

Let us start the month with some Google updates. 

1. SEOs Are Divided On How They Will Nofollow Sponsored Links
   
2. The New Cryptocurrency Policies for Google Ads Goes Into Effect
   
3. Google No Longer Uses Safe Browsing As A Ranking Signal
   

Now, let’s dig in deeper on each SEO news. 

3/8/2021 – SEOs Are Divided On How They Will Nofollow Sponsored Links

After Google rolled out the link spam update last week,  users had different opinions and actions on handling sponsored links.

An International SEO Consultant, Aleyda Solis, posted a poll on Twitter, and the results revealed that SEOs are split on whether or not they will follow sponsored links.

One-third of respondents indicated they followed their sponsored links. Another one-third mentioned they would use the rel nofollow. 

However, another one-third stated they would most likely switch to rel sponsored on those sponsored links.

Google guide also stated that users must employ either a nofollow or a sponsored attribute, but they are not required to use one over the other.

4/8/2021 – The New Cryptocurrency Policies for Google Ads Goes Into Effect

Only advertisers who are registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a money services business or a federal or state-chartered bank, as well as those who have completed the new verification process and meet all other requirements for the category, will be able to run cryptocurrency ads on Google starting on March 3rd.

Here are some of the reasons why Google update this new policy:

• Scams involving bitcoin giveaways have previously been reported.
• Steve Wozniak, Apple’s co-founder, was used in a phishing scam.
• Resulting in a lawsuit directed at Google and YouTube in 2020.

Thus, advertisers are required to meet these REQUIREMENTS for Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Wallets to Run Google Ads:

• These advertisements must be registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN and at least one state as a money transmitter or a federal or state-chartered bank organization.
• Businesses must adhere to all applicable legal obligations, including any local legal requirements, state or federal.
• Like all other advertisers, advertisers must ensure that their advertising and landing sites adhere to all Google Ads regulations.

To advertise in this category, all advertisers must go through the new Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Wallets verification process, which was revised in July.  Prior Cryptocurrency Exchange certifications will be revoked on August 3^rd.

One additional restriction is that the advertisers cannot promote ad locations that aggregate or compare cryptocurrencies or related products.

Advertisers also may not advocate the acquisition, sale, or trade of cryptocurrencies or similar products in any form, including the promotion of initial coin offerings, DeFi trading systems, or other means.

5/8/2021 – Google No Longer Uses Safe Browsing As A Ranking Signal

Google announced the removal of the safe browsing signal as part of the page experience update.

In fact, Google claims it has never been used as a ranking factor.

Safe Browsing will also be removed from Google’s Page Experience report in Search Console.

The goal of removing the safe browsing signal is to take advantage of the page experience ranking factor.

Here’s the updated Google Page Experience signals chart:

So, I suppose that’s it for this week. I’ll see you next Friday!

Updated: 25 April 2024

About JiaJia

Once you've got wanderlust in your blood, you've got it for life. JiaJia is a life enthusiast who also finds interest in digital marketing. She usually can be found eating, baking, traveling, or wandering in the world of marketing.