.:[Double Click To][Close]:.

This Week in Product Updates, September 22, 2010

Every week we’ll be providing a brief update on the latest Google product and feature updates relevant to our agency partners. To see past updates, look for the “This Week in Product Updates” label.

When my husband and I adopted our two cats, Rambo and Chuck Norris, I half-jokingly gave him Cats for Dummies to help him with the adjustment. Little did I know that he would read it cover-to-cover, and implement the training tactics exactly as instructed. What resulted, though, was nothing short of a miracle - cats that don’t scratch furniture.

You may ask, “Why are you telling me this?” Because, Google just released a “for Dummies” guide, and if a “for Dummies” guide works for cats, it can surely work for conversions.

In addition, be sure to check out the updates on monthly charging limits for unchanged budgets, a new CPG whitepaper and Google Display Network campaign, and Google Earth’s new website.

Tips of the week
Search
  • Monthly charging limits for unchanged budgets: Last week we introduced a monthly charging limit for campaigns automatically calculated based on daily budget, and will be rolling it out over the next several weeks. For the complete update, visit the Inside AdWords Blog. To learn more about this change, please see our FAQs on the monthly charging limit and on what happens when you change your budget.
  • Global roll-out of AdWords Campaign Experiments: We're pleased to announce that AdWords Campaign Experiments (ACE) has begun rolling out globally, and is now supported in the AdWords API. Visit the Inside AdWords Blog for the full announcement, as well as the AdWords API Blog for a complete update on AdWords API v201008.
Display
  • Expandable templates now available in Display Ad Builder: We launched four new expandable templates in Display Ad Builder that allow you and your clients to show off more offers and product information. For more information on Display Ad Builder, visit the Google Display Network site, and click here to watch a demo.
  • WATCH THIS SPACE: We're pleased to share the launch of a new campaign called "WATCH THIS SPACE," which talks about our vision for display advertising. Visit the Official Google Blog to hear what Neal Mohan, VP of Product Management, has to say about how we're simplifying display advertising, delivering better performance, and opening the display ecosystem. In addition, check out the campaign's website to learn more about what's happening in display advertising at Google and what's to come.
TV
  • Broadcast your business through TV for All contest: We're pleased to announce the second annual TV for All contest, where small & medium businesses have the opportunity to win $25,000 in national advertising with Google TV Ads and online video partner sites, including YouTube. The full announcement can be found here, and contest rules are at www.youtube.com/tvforall.
Reporting & Analytics
  • Changes to reporting in My Client Center: For My Client Center users, we're introducing a new interface for the Client Reports tab. Visit the Help Center for a complete list of updates, and the Inside AdWords Blog for additional details on migrating to the new interface.
Industry Resources
  • Just released - CPG whitepaper on digital shopper marketing: Google's CPG Marketing team shared the release of a sponsored white paper titled "Clicking Through the Path to Purchase: Best Practices in Digital Shopper Marketing," authored by the In-Store Marketing Institute and in co-sponsorship with the digital shopper agency Catapult. The comprehensive report summarizes the rise of digital and examines various strategies like online couponing, search, social media, product reviews, mobile and more. A copy of the whitepaper is available here for download.
  • New posts from our friends in Google Retail: Our friends over at the Google Retail Blog released 2 posts this week with valuable data for agencies working with retail clients. First, see what role search plays is researching purchases. Then, learn what the buzz is about for group buying sites.
In other news
  • Take a “Trip” to Earth: Have you been traveling lately? To say, someplace like Earth? If not swing by because we’ve recently released Google Earth v5.2, and moved it to a brand new website all its own. The new digs include images, tours, tutorials and more. And, if you are en route, check on the 3D globe from your mobile phone.
  • This Week in Efficiency: Love the auto completion of texting? Google Scribe brings this timesaver to documents. Based on what you’ve already typed, Google Scribe provides related word or phrase completion suggestions. What’s more, the suggestions also indicate correct or popular phrases to use. Interested in getting in on this keystroke saver? Download the Google Scribe Extension and find out how to activate the feature here.