June 2023 SEO Update

Hello, digital enthusiasts! With summer in full swing, many of us are enjoying the sunshine, planning trips, or observing seasonal traffic patterns on our websites. While summer typically brings a lull in the world of SEO and search, it doesn’t mean there’s no news to share. Let’s explore some significant updates for a successful summer SEO strategy.

Transition to Google Analytics 4

As of July 1st, the familiar Universal Analytics has given way to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Though UA is no longer collecting data, your past insights are safe and accessible until July 1st, 2024, if you’ve properly migrated your data. Whether you’re a fan of GA4 or not, it’s time to take advantage of its novel features.

Fate of Your UA Data

If your Ads campaigns were based on UA data, they likely have stopped running and now need to be set up in GA4. You can download or archive your UA data until July 1st, 2024, after which it will be gone forever.

Integration with Looker Studio

One standout feature of GA4 is its seamless connection with Looker Studio, formerly Google Data Studio. In June, Google strengthened this connection by rolling out 170 new fields for reporting, like Ad clicks, Session Duration, and Landing Pages, helping users build comprehensive reports.

Changes to Attribution

Unlike UA, which offered multiple attribution models, GA4 mainly provides options for last-click attribution and data-driven attribution (for your paid and organic channels). While some users report seeing other options, it seems that models like linear or position-based are likely on their way out.

Business Tab in Google Maps

Google has integrated its independent Business Profile app into Google Maps, introducing a new ‘Business’ tab on both Android and iOS. This feature allows businesses to manage their profiles directly from the app.

New Google Feedback Form

Google has revised its search spam report to include a form for users to report troublesome content like paid links and pages with poor quality. This update allows users to report up to five pages violating the same policy in one go.

AI Shopping Feature

Finally, we can’t wrap up this SEO update without addressing Google’s AI-powered virtual try-on tool. This feature uses AI to show how clothes might look on models of various body types and sizes. Users can access this feature by tapping products with the “Try On” badge on Search.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and remember to stay on top of these SEO updates to ensure a successful digital marketing strategy!