In 2018 Blogger got a spring cleaning, Google Search Console for webmasters got an overhaul and AdSense ads got "smarter". Scroll to the end to see the full list of all 2018 updates.
- Get all creator updates for 2018: Google+, YouTube, Hangouts and more
- Take a look back: 2017 Year in Review: Bloggers, Webmasters and AdSense Publishers
New Google Search Console
If you have a blog or website, Google Search Console helps you monitor your site's traffic in Google Search and fix any issues as they arise.
At the beginning of 2018, the beta version of the totally redesigned Search Console was made available to all users. It doesn't just have a new design; it also includes more data and new reports. Over the course of the year, features from classic Search Console were added, and the new Search Console graduated from "Beta" status in September. If you're moving from classic to the new version, check out the migration guide that compares the tools and reports in the two versions.
Google has a strong commitment to helping webmasters. Every month there are open live office hours in several languages. Upcoming Office Hours are currently posted and discussed on Google+, and it's not clear where that discussion will be after Google+ shuts down. I recommend following Google Webmasters on Twitter, and keeping an eye on their Calendar.
At the beginning of 2018, the beta version of the totally redesigned Search Console was made available to all users. It doesn't just have a new design; it also includes more data and new reports. Over the course of the year, features from classic Search Console were added, and the new Search Console graduated from "Beta" status in September. If you're moving from classic to the new version, check out the migration guide that compares the tools and reports in the two versions.
Google has a strong commitment to helping webmasters. Every month there are open live office hours in several languages. Upcoming Office Hours are currently posted and discussed on Google+, and it's not clear where that discussion will be after Google+ shuts down. I recommend following Google Webmasters on Twitter, and keeping an eye on their Calendar.
Blogger "Spring Cleaning" and new features
In May Blogger announced Spring Cleaning, "simplifying the platform to enhance the blogging experience" and "to make room for some exciting updates coming soon to Blogger."
Features that were removed included:
- Removed the option to use an OpenID identity to comment. Comments can be open to all, including anonymous commenters, or limited to people signed into a Google account or specific readers.
- Country-specific blogspot domains (like blogspot.it for Italian visitors) now all redirect back to blogspot.com. There are still different services in different countries, but those are no longer reflected in the URL.
- Third party gadgets were removed from the gadget list. It's still possible to add gadget code to a HTML/Javascript gadget.
- The Polls gadget was deprecated.
- The "Next Blog" option was removed. This let you click a button to see a similar (or not so similar) Blogger blog. Newer templates hadn't supported this option since 2017.
- A new video management interface, for viewing, downloading and removing videos uploaded directly to Blogger. You can find that under Settings > Other > Manage Your Videos
- Free HTTPS for custom domains.
- Support for multiple Google account login, so you can easily switch between different Blogger accounts.
- The ability to add a custom ads.txt file to your blog, required by some advertising programs.
Behind the scenes, Blogger also finished a multi-year migration of all blogs to Cloud Spanner which is more scalable and manageable in the long term.
None of those really seem like the kind of "exciting update" Blogger was referring in their Spring Cleaning post. Of course in Google terms, "soon" often means months, not weeks or days. So I'm hoping we'll see some nice updates in 2019.
In the short term Blogger will have to make changes related to the demise of consumer Google+ in April. Blogger is one of the few Google services that still includes Google+ integration: using a Google+ Profile as author, Google+-based commenting, + mentions in posts, and automatic sharing to Google+.
Blogger's "Spring Cleaning" was also meant to include the conversion of Google+ follower gadgets to regular HTML gadgets with the follower badge code. I haven't seen that happen on my blog, and those gadgets may just stop working
Blogger Tutorials for 2018
AdSense gets "Smarter", Stricter, and a Shiny New Logo
It's designed to "show ads only when they are likely to perform well and provide a good user experience." The down side, of course, is that you don't have control over where exactly the ads will appear.
There was also a significant change to the process of placing ads on new sites. It used to be that once AdSense for Content account was approved, you could place your ads on any site. It was up to you to make sure the site is policy compliant and that you only place ads on your own sites.
Now, before you can show your ads on a new site, you have to add the site to your AdSense account. It's verified that you own the domain or are able to modify its content, and the content is reviewed for compliance with the AdSense Program Policies.
For larger Publishers worried about ad blockers, there is also a new tool : Google offers “Funding Choices” that can detect when a visitor is using an ad blocker and offers them the option to purchase an ad removal pass for your website. It’s also possible to offer this option to all your site’s visitors. Funding Choices currently still in beta.
Finally, Google rebranded and reorganized most of its services for advertisers and publishers. AdWords is now simply Google Ads, Doubleclick for Advertisers was combined with Google Analytics 360 Suite as the Google Marketing Platform, and Doubleclick for Publishers and Doubleclick Ad Exchange are now Google Ad Manager. AdSense remains AdSense, but did get a new blobby logo that matches the new designs.
Old AdSense Logo | New AdSense Logo |
For 2019, AdSense has suggested there will be new ad formats and easier management. We'll see how that develops in the coming months.
To start the new year on the right foot, I recommend reviewing the resources available for you to understand AdSense policies., and making sure your sites comply.
AdSense Tutorials for 2018
GDPR goes into effect
Even if you don't pay close attention to data privacy law, it's likely that you noticed when the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect on May 25th. Most people received a flood of privacy policy update emails from various online sites and services in the last weeks of May and into early June.
The new regulations give European users more control over the collection, storage and use of their personal data. Some US sites weren't ready for this, and EU users were no longer able to use some news sites, Instapaper, or their “smart” lightbulbs. And Facebook and Google were hit with $8.8 Billion in lawsuits as soon as the law went into effect.
If you have your own website or blog, it's likely that these regulations pertain to you to, especially if you collect data in any way (for example when visitors post comments) or if you display ads. Google has provided detailed information and a few tools for AdSense publisher and Blogger blog owners.
AdSense, for example, lets you show only non-personalized ads for visitors from the European Economic Area.
But ultimately it's up to you as the webmaster, site owner and ad publisher to ensure your site complies with all international data privacy and data collection policies.
If you have questions or concerns about your own privacy or how Google uses your data, check out Google’s Privacy Troubleshooter.
Blogger and Google Webmaster 2018 Update Timeline
- January New Google Search Console (beta) rolling out to everyone
- January Webmasters: Google's PageSpeed Insights now includes real-world data
- February Blogger now lets you add an ads.txt file, which lets you list which advertisers are authorized to display ads on your blog.
- February Google shuts down Google Blogsearch "Ping (Blogsearch was deprecated in 2011)
- March Google has started migrating sites to mobile-first search indexing
- May Blogger "Spring Cleaning": OpenID Commenting, 3rd-party gadgets, country-specific blogspot domains and more
- May Google introduces .app domains, "a more secure home for apps on the web"
- May GDPR goes into effect
- June Blogger updates comment moderation, comment notification, and "Email posts to" email setup process, now requires confirmation of the subscription request
- July Blogger API Developer Group is merging with the main Blogger Help forum (announcement)
- July The URL inspection tool is now available to everyone in Google Search Console
- July New Google Images referrer will help you understand the role Google Images plays in driving traffic to the website
- July Better understand and reach your customers with new Cross Device capabilities in Google Analytics
- July Chrome 68 was released this week with a major change: now websites that are not encrypted with HTTPS as marked “Not Secure”. If you have a website (even a static one) or blog, now is the time to enable HTTPS on your site. Blogger blog owners with custom domains can enable HTTPS in settings, and blogspot.com domains use HTTPS by default. Chrome 68 also prevents unwanted popups and redirects.
- August Google released a broad core search algorithm update - read their guidance ,
- August Google Medic Update: Google’s core search update had big impact on health/medical sites
- August Easier Search Console access for Analytics owners
- August Google Images data is now easier to analyze in Google Analytics
- August Updates to Google webmaster Search Console: Links report, mobile usability, site management, and auto-verification of Analytics property owners
- September Making embedded Google Forms better
- September: Blogger is sends out confirmation email messages for email subscriptions for comments, comment moderation messages, and new posts.
- September: The new Google Search Console graduates from “beta”.
- September: Blog Compass by Google is a new Android app designed to help you manage your Blogger or Wordpress blog. You can get stats, moderate comments, and the app will suggest trending topic ideas for your next post. This beta version of the app is only available in India.
- October: Get a new .page top level domain for your website
- November: Google introduces ReCAPTCHA v. 3, a new way to detect abusive at bot traffic on your website
AdSense and Google Advertising 2018 Update Timeline
- January: AdSense Experiments update: "We're auto-completing some experiments, and deleting experiments that are more than a year old"
- January: AdSense is now using machine learning to optimally format Native In-feed ads for your website.
- January: YouTube Partner Program introduces tougher eligibility requirements
- February: The latest version of the Chrome browser no long displays ads on websites that have advertising that doesn’t comply with the Better Ads Standards. If you’re a webmaster, check your site’s Ad Experience Report in the Google Search Console. Visitors will be able to override Chrome to show the ads.
- February: AdSense now supports Tamil • இப்போது AdSense தமிà®´் ஆதரிக்கிறது
- February: New AdSense Auto Ads uses machine learning to place ads on your website
- March: Google updates AdSense Publisher and AdWords Advertiser policy to comply with the GDPR
- April: Google "Funding Choices" - which lets site visitors using an ad blocker choose to allow ads or buy a pass - is expanding to 31 more countries
- May: AdWords (Google Ads) is fully switching to the new account experience
- May: Google bans ads for bail bonds services
- May: AdSense updates impression metrics for greater accuracy
- June AdWords is becoming Google Ads, and DoubleClick for Publishers and DoubleClick Ad Exchange is becoming Google Ad Manager
- June Introducing Google Ad Manager (formerly Doubleclick for Publishers and Google Ad Exchange)
- June Google Ads (formerly AdWords) helping small businesses do more (Inside AdWords
- June Introducing Google Marketing Platform (formerly Doubleclick Digital Marketing and Google Analytics 360 Suite)
- July: AdSense turned 15 this month
- July: AdSense now understands Telugu - AdSense ఇప్à°ªుà°¡ు à°¤ెà°²ుà°—ుà°¨ి à°…à°°్à°¥ం à°šేà°¸ుà°•ుంà°Ÿుంà°¦ి
- July: Google Ads update: Putting machine learning into the hands of every advertiser
- July: Google Marketing Platform: New ads.txt-only inventory control in Display & Video 360
- July: New brand, new home: Where to find Google Marketing Platform online
- July: Expand and unify your advertising demand with Google Ad Manager
- August: Three things to know about Google Ad Manager
- August: Learn how to get around the new Google Ads experience
- September: Selling inventory is easier with Google Ad Manager
- October: AdSense update: New sites now must go through verification process to show ads
- October Google tackles new ad fraud scheme . Apps installed on millions of Android phones tracked user behavior to execute a multimillion-dollar ad fraud scheme
- December Chrome 71 released: will remove all ads on the small number of sites with persistent abusive experiences
Hi Peggy only I would like about how I can put the cookies notifice in my blog www.mujeresdeexcelencia.blogspot.com same to you under in this blog . thanks for your attention and support bless u, Xenia
ReplyDeleteHi Xenia, note that Blogger automatically puts a cookie notification if someone in the European Union visits your blog. You don't need to do anything if you feel like that's sufficient. You can see your blog's by going to http://mujeresdeexcelencia.blogspot.com/?gl=es.
DeleteI have a custom notice, that shows to everyone. To add it, I had to edit the Theme HTML. That can be tricky, so if you make changes there, be sure to download a backup of your theme first.
I got the code from a site that seems to have changed hands, it's currently Osano.
1. Open this page click
2. Click the "Start coding" button
3. Configure the message you want
4. Copy the HTML and note where it needs to be inserted
5. Modify the code for Blogger - All the " (double quotes) need to be ' (single quotes)
6. Paste the HTML in your Blogger blog's Theme
7. Preview the theme and save if it works.
Click for more information about the Blogger cookie notice.