Announcing Google's official traditional media blog

About a month ago, we gave you a quick overview of Google's offline advertising offerings: TV, Print, and  Audio Ads -- all of which fall under the umbrella of what we call 'traditional media'. Today, we're pleased to announce that the TV, Print, and Audio Ads teams have launched Let's Take it Offline, the official blog to help you get the most out of your offline ad campaigns. Our traditional media blog will keep you up-to-date on the latest feature launches, product updates, tips, and industry findings. 

We hope you'll visit the new blog regularly to learn more and stay abreast of our offline advertising products.

Posted by Emel Mutlu, Inside AdWords crew

Free online webinar for Google's analysis products

Staying competitive in the online space can be hard if you don't have the proper tools at your disposal. That's why we offer solutions like Google Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics, and Google Website Optimizer to help you improve your site's effectiveness and functionality.

Used individually, each product can provide valuable and actionable information about specific aspects of your site. However, by using all three together, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your pages' visibility on Google, where your visitors come from, how they interact with your site, and what content motivates them to take the action you want.

For the first time ever, the Webmaster Tools, Analytics, and Website Optimizer teams will join forces to hold a free webinar entitled The Google Trifecta. This session will be held Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 from 9:00 - 10:00 am PDT. Register to attend here.

During this online seminar, team members will:

• Provide brief introductions to their products
  
• Highlight recent product updates and releases
  
• Discuss the benefits of using all three products together
  
• Answer common questions submitted by attendees
  

Upon registration, we also invite you to submit any specific topics you'd like to see covered. We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted by Christian Yee, Inside AdWords crew

AdWords Editor 6.0 for Windows and Mac

Today we released version 6.0 of AdWords Editor. Version 6.0 offers new and updated features to help you edit your AdWords campaigns faster and more effectively. For example, this version includes new bulk editing tools, better downloading for account statistics, and a new option for updating minimum CPC bids. We've also listened to users' requests for support within AdWords Editor for CPC placement targeting and the Conversion Optimizer, so version 6.0 includes support for both of these features.

Before you upgrade, be sure to export an archive of your account in order to preserve comments and unposted changes. After you've installed version 6.0, download your account, then import the archive file.

You can download version 6.0 now by visiting our website and clicking 'Download AdWords Editor.' Also, within the next few days, existing users will receive an automatic update prompt when starting the application.

If you'd like to learn tips for using AdWords Editor, including how to use the new features in version 6.0, please sign up for our free webinar on Tuesday, June 10, from 10:30-11:30 PDT. An AdWords Editor specialist will provide live demonstrations, and you'll have an opportunity to ask questions of our team of specialists.

Finally, we invite you to join the AdWords Editor forum to receive occasional product news and tips from the AdWords Editor team.

Posted by Christian Yee, Inside AdWords crew

Introducing the Google Marketer's Playbook

Are you interested in reaching your target audience through offline advertising, while also driving online searches and boosting ROI? If so, you can get help from experts at the Google Marketer's Playbook talks at upcoming ad:tech digital marketing conferences.

The Google Marketer's Playbook is a new series of educational talks where our experts discuss strategies for making the most of AdWords and other Google products helpful to advertisers such as Google Analytics and YouTube. Topics include optimization strategy, measurement and tracking, and increasing reach.

These sessions will be held at the 2008 ad:tech Miami, Chicago, and New York shows starting June 3rd and are open to all exhibit hall pass holders. To obtain a free exhibit hall pass to the event of your choice, visit www.ad-tech.com and click on the 'register' link next to the show you will be attending. Following the talks, attendees will be able to participate in the live Q&A sessions with the experts.

The Google Marketer's Playbook at ad:tech San Francisco has already passed, but you can watch recordings of the sessions in this YouTube playlist. These videos are also live on the Google Business Channel which contains even more presentations and webinars about Google's business products and advertising solutions.

Posted by Christian Yee, Inside AdWords crew

New features for Local Business Center

Google's Local Business Center is the place to go to add or edit your business listing in Google Maps. Yesterday, we launched a number of new features that can help you improve your listing, and Daniel Z. from the Google Maps team is here to tell us more:

The Local Business Center helps your business stand out on Google Maps. With these new features, you can create richer listings and include more information about your business:

Add photos to your listing
Google Maps now includes images in local search results. Suppose you own a restaurant in San Francisco that specializes in pastries. A potential customer, craving something sweet, searches Google Maps for "dessert in san francisco." In addition to the business name and location, she will now also find photos of your double chocolate cheesecake with raspberry glaze when looking at your full listing.

Describe your business with custom attributes
Details matter. In addition to common pieces of information like store hours and accepted payment types, you can include custom information specific to your business. For example, a gelateria could include a list of all the flavors it offers.

Track your stats
When it comes to knowing how your listing is working for you, there's nothing like statistics. And now, when you login to Local Business Center you can see the number of impressions your listing has received over the last 30 days.

Place your map marker with precision
If you find that your location on the map isn't exactly right, you can now fix it. When creating or editing your listing, click "Fix incorrect marker location," and simply drag your map marker to your business's exact location.

If you'd like to list your business on Google Maps, you can sign up for Local Business Center by visiting this page. It's completely free.

Posted by Trevor, Inside AdWords crew

Google Checkout update

Last June, Product Manager Eric Lange answered a number of our questions about Google Checkout. Today, we caught up with him again. Here's what we learned:

Can you give us a quick overview of Google Checkout?

We launched Checkout last year to improve the experience of online shoppers. Typically people start their shopping process with search, and Checkout improves that experience with the Google Checkout shopping cart badge -- an image next to ads that use Checkout that helps users identify fast, secure places to shop. Once they click through to the store, we also make it easier to buy with a single Google sign-in -- that way, shoppers don't have to re-enter their purchasing information every time they buy online.

You mentioned the shopping cart badge on AdWords ads - why are you using that?

When people begin shopping by searching online, they're looking for places to shop that are convenient and secure. The Google Checkout badge makes it easier to find these places by displaying a badge (or image) on the AdWords ads of participating Checkout stores. The badge is like a little sign on the AdWords ad that helps shoppers find stores that accept Google Checkout.

You've been testing different badges. Any updates to report?

Yes, we're constantly testing different badge images to see what provides the best experience for shoppers. Recently we updated the image of the badge from a shopping cart to a Checkout button because we find the new design helps people find convenient and secure places to shop more easily.

Where should advertisers go to learn more about Checkout?

Advertisers can take a closer look on the Google Checkout homepage.

Posted by Sarah, Inside AdWords crew