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    30Apr, 2021
    Top 9 New Technology Trends
    Top 9 New Technology Trends for 2021

    Technology today is evolving at such a rapid pace, enabling faster change and progress, causing an acceleration of the rate of change, until eventually, it will become exponential. However, it is not only technology trends and top technologies that are evolving, a lot more has changed this year due to the outbreak of COVID-19 making IT professionals realize that their role will not stay the same in the contactless world tomorrow. And an IT professional in 2020-21 will constantly be learning, unlearning, and relearning (out of necessity if not desire). 

    What does this mean for you? It means staying current with new technology trends. And it means keeping your eyes on the future to know which skills you’ll need to know to secure a safe job tomorrow and even learn how to get there. All bows to the worldwide pandemic, most of the global IT population is sitting back, working from home. And if you wish to make the most of your time at home, here are the top 9 new technology trends you should watch for and make an attempt at in 2021, and possibly secure one of the jobs that will be created by these new technology trends. 

    Here is the list of the top 9 New and Trending Technologies: 

    1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning 
    1. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) 
    1. Edge Computing 
    1. Quantum Computing 
    1. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 
    1. Blockchain 
    1. Internet of Things (IoT) 
    1. 5G 
    1. Cyber Security 

    1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning 

    Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has already received a lot of buzz in the past decade, but it continues to be one of the new technology trends because its notable effects on how we live, work and play are only in the early stages. AI is already known for its superiority in image and speech recognition, navigation apps, smartphone personal assistants, ride-sharing apps and so much more. 

    Other than that AI will be used further to analyze interactions to determine underlying connections and insights, to help predict demand for services like hospitals enabling authorities to make better decisions about resource utilization, and to detect the changing patterns of customer behaviour by analyzing data in near real-time, driving revenues and enhancing personalized experiences. 

    The AI market will grow to a $190 billion industry by 2025 with global spending on cognitive and AI systems reaching over $57 billion in 2021.  With AI spreading its wings across sectors, new jobs will be created in development, programming, testing, support and maintenance, to name a few. On the other hand AI also offers some of the highest salaries today ranging from over $1,25,000 per year (machine learning engineer) to $145,000 per year (AI architect) – making it the top new technology trend you must watch out for! 

    Machine Learning the subset of AI, is also being deployed in all kinds of industries, creating a huge demand for skilled professionals. Forrester predicts AI, machine learning, and automation will create 9 percent of new U.S. jobs by 2025, jobs including robot monitoring professionals, data scientists, automation specialists, and content curators, making it another new technology trend you must keep in mind too! 

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    2. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) 

    Like AI and Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, or RPA, is another technology that is automating jobs. RPA is the use of software to automate business processes such as interpreting applications, processing transactions, dealing with data, and even replying to emails. RPA automates repetitive tasks that people used to do.  

    Although Forrester Research estimates RPA automation will threaten the livelihood of 230 million or more knowledge workers or approximately 9 percent of the global workforce, RPA is also creating new jobs while altering existing jobs. McKinsey finds that less than 5 percent of occupations can be totally automated, but about 60 percent can be partially automated. 

    For you as an IT professional looking to the future and trying to understand new technology trends, RPA offers plenty of career opportunities, including developer, project manager, business analyst, solution architect, and consultant. And these jobs pay well. An RPA developer can earn over ₹534K per year – making it the next technology trend you must keep a watch on! 

    3. Edge Computing 

    Formerly a new technology trend to watch, cloud computing has become mainstream, with major players AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform dominating the market. The adoption of cloud computing is still growing, as more and more businesses migrate to a cloud solution. But it’s no longer the emerging technology trend. Edge is. 

    As the quantity of data organizations are dealing with continues to increase, they have realized the shortcomings of cloud computing in some situations. Edge computing is designed to help solve some of those problems as a way to bypass the latency caused by cloud computing and getting data to a datacenter for processing. It can exist “on the edge,” if you will, closer to where computing needs to happen. For this reason, edge computing can be used to process time-sensitive data in remote locations with limited or no connectivity to a centralized location. In those situations, edge computing can act like mini datacenters.  

    Edge computing will increase as use of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices increases. By 2022, the global edge computing market is expected to reach $6.72 billion. And this new technology trend is only meant to grow and nothing less, creating various jobs, primarily for software engineers.  

    4. Quantum Computing 

    Next remarkable technology trend is quantum computing, which is a form of computing that takes advantage of quantum phenomena like superposition and quantum entanglement. This amazing technology trend is also involved in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and to develop potential vaccines, thanks to its ability to easily query, monitor, analyze and act on data, regardless of the source. Another field where quantum computing is finding applications in banking and finance, to manage credit risk, for high-frequency trading and fraud detection. 

    Quantum computers are now a multitude times faster than regular computers and huge brands like Splunk, Honeywell, Microsoft, AWS, Google and many others are now involved in making innovations in the field of Quantum Computing. The revenues for the global quantum computing market are projected to surpass $2.5 billion by 2029. And to make a mark in this new trending technology, you need to have experience with quantum mechanics, linear algebra, probability, information theory, and machine learning. 

    5. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 

    The next exceptional technology trend – Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), and Extended Reality (ER). VR immerses the user in an environment while AR enhances their environment. Although this technology trend has primarily been used for gaming thus far, it has also been used for training, as with VirtualShip, a simulation software used to train U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard ship captains. 

    In 2021, we can expect these forms of technologies being further integrated into our lives. Usually working in tandem with some of the other new technologies we’ve mentioned in this list, AR and VR have enormous potential in training, entertainment, education, marketing, and even rehabilitation after an injury. Either could be used to train doctors to do surgery, offer museum-goers a deeper experience, enhance theme parks, or even enhance marketing, as with this Pepsi Max bus shelter. 

    Fun fact: 14 million AR and VR devices were sold in 2019. The global AR and VR market is expected to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022, only creating more opportunities in the trending technology, and welcoming more professionals ready for this game-changing field.  

    While some employers might look for optics as a skill-set, note that getting started in VR doesn’t require a lot of specialized knowledge – basic programming skills and a forward-thinking mindset can land a job; another reason why this new technology trend should make up to your list of lookouts! 

    6. Blockchain 

    Although most people think of blockchain technology in relation to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, blockchain offers security that is useful in many other ways. In the simplest of terms, blockchain can be described as data you can only add to, not take away from or change. Hence the term “chain” because you’re making a chain of data. Not being able to change the previous blocks is what makes it so secure. In addition, blockchains are consensus-driven, so no one entity can take control of the data. With blockchain, you don’t need a trusted third-party to oversee or validate transactions. 

    Several industries are involving and implementing blockchain, and as the use of blockchain technology increases, so too does the demand for skilled professionals. From a birds eye view, a blockchain developer specializes in developing and implementing architecture and solutions using blockchain technology. The average yearly salary of a blockchain developer is ₹469K.  

    If you are intrigued by Blockchain and its applications and want to make your career in this trending technology, then this is the right time to start. To get into Blockchain, you need to have hands-on experience of programming languages, the fundamentals of OOPS, flat and relational databases, data structures, web app development, and networking. 

    7. Internet of Things (IoT) 

    Another promising new technology trend is IoT. Many “things” are now being built with WiFi connectivity, meaning they can be connected to the Internet—and to each other. Hence, the Internet of Things, or IoT. The Internet of Things is the future, and has already enabled devices, home appliances, cars and much more to be connected to and exchange data over the Internet. 

    As consumers, we’re already using and benefitting from IoT. We can lock our doors remotely if we forget to when we leave for work and preheat our ovens on our way home from work, all while tracking our fitness on our Fitbits. However, businesses also have much to gain now and in the near future. The IoT can enable better safety, efficiency and decision-making for businesses as data is collected and analyzed. It can enable predictive maintenance, speed up medical care, improve customer service, and offer benefits we haven’t even imagined yet. 

    And we’re only in the beginning stages of this new technology trend: Forecasts suggest that by 2030 around 50 billion of these IoT devices will be in use around the world, creating a massive web of interconnected devices spanning everything from smartphones to kitchen appliances. The global spending on the Internet of Things (IoT) is forecast to reach 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. New technologies such as 5G is expected to drive market growth in the coming years. 

    And if you wish to step foot in this trending technology, you will have to learn about Information security, AI and machine learning fundamentals, networking, hardware interfacing, data analytics, automation, understanding of embedded systems, and must have device and design knowledge. 

    8. 5G 

    The next technology trend that follows the IoT is 5G. Where 3G and 4G technologies have enabled us to browse the internet, use data driven services, increased bandwidths for streaming on Spotify or YouTube and so much more, 5G services are expected to revolutionize our lives. by enabling services that rely on advanced technologies like AR and VR, alongside cloud based gaming services like Google Stadia, NVidia GeForce Now and much more. It is expected to be used in factories, HD cameras that help improve safety and traffic management, smart grid control and smart retail too. 

    Just about every telecom company like Verizon, Tmobile, Apple, Nokia Corp, QualComm, are now working on creating 5G applications. 5G services are expected to launch worldwide in 2021 with more than 50 operators offering services in about 30 countries by the end of 2021, making it a new technology trend you must watch out for, and also save a spot in. 

    9. Cyber Security 

    Cyber security might not seem like trending technology, given that it has been around for a while, but it is evolving just as other technologies are. That’s in part because threats are constantly new. The malevolent hackers who are trying to illegally access data are not going to give up any time soon, and they will continue to find ways to get through even the toughest security measures. It’s also in part because new technology is being adapted to enhance security. As long as we have hackers, cybersecurity will remain a trending technology because it will constantly evolve to defend against those hackers. 

    As proof of the strong need for cybersecurity professionals, the number of cybersecurity jobs is growing three times faster than other tech jobs. Also, the need for proper cybersecurity is so high that by 2021, $6 trillion will be spent globally on cybersecurity. 

    You must note that however challenging the field is it also offers lucrative six-figure incomes, and roles can range from ethical hacker to security engineer to Chief Security Officer, offering a promising career path for someone who wants to get into and stick with this evergreen trending technology. 

    Source : https://www.simplilearn.com/top-technology-trends-and-jobs-article

    28Apr, 2021
    Fully recyclable printed electronics developed

    New technique reclaims nearly 100% of all-carbon-based transistors while retaining future functionality of the materials 

    Engineers at Duke University have developed the world’s first fully recyclable printed electronics. By demonstrating a crucial and relatively complex computer component — the transistor — created with three carbon-based inks, the researchers hope to inspire a new generation of recyclable electronics to help fight the growing global epidemic of electronic waste. 

    “Silicon-based computer components are probably never going away, and we don’t expect easily recyclable electronics like ours to replace the technology and devices that are already widely used,” said Aaron Franklin, the Addy Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke. “But we hope that by creating new, fully recyclable, easily printed electronics and showing what they can do, that they might become widely used in future applications.” 

    As people worldwide adopt more electronics into their lives, there’s an ever-growing pile of discarded devices that either don’t work anymore or have been cast away in favor of a newer model. According to a United Nations estimate, less than a quarter of the millions of pounds of electronics thrown away each year is recycled. And the problem is only going to get worse as the world upgrades to 5G devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand. 

    Part of the problem is that electronic devices are difficult to recycle. Large plants employ hundreds of workers who hack at bulky devices. But while scraps of copper, aluminum and steel can be recycled, the silicon chips at the heart of the devices cannot. 

    In the new study, Franklin and his laboratory demonstrate a completely recyclable, fully functional transistor made out of three carbon-based inks that can be easily printed onto paper or other flexible, environmentally friendly surfaces. Carbon nanotubes and graphene inks are used for the semiconductors and conductors, respectively. While these materials are not new to the world of printed electronics, Franklin says, the path to recyclability was opened with the development of a wood-derived insulating dielectric ink called nanocellulose. 

    “Nanocellulose is biodegradable and has been used in applications like packaging for years,” said Franklin. “And while people have long known about its potential applications as an insulator in electronics, nobody has figured out how to use it in a printable ink before. That’s one of the keys to making these fully recyclable devices functional.” 

    The researchers developed a method for suspending crystals of nanocellulose that were extracted from wood fibers that — with the sprinkling of a little table salt — yields an ink that performs admirably as an insulator in their printed transistors. Using the three inks in an aerosol jet printer at room temperature, the team shows that their all-carbon transistors perform well enough for use in a wide variety of applications, even six months after the initial printing. 

    The team then demonstrates just how recyclable their design is. By submerging their devices in a series of baths, gently vibrating them with sound waves and centrifuging the resulting solution, the carbon nanotubes and graphene are sequentially recovered with an average yield of nearly 100%. Both materials can then be reused in the same printing process while losing very little of their performance viability. And because the nanocellulose is made from wood, it can simply be recycled along with the paper it was printed on. 

    Compared to a resistor or capacitor, a transistor is a relatively complex computer component used in devices such as power control or logic circuits and various sensors. Franklin explains that, by demonstrating a fully recyclable, multifunctional printed transistor first, he hopes to make a first step toward the technology being commercially pursued for simple devices. For example, Franklin says he could imagine the technology being used in a large building needing thousands of simple environmental sensors to monitor its energy use or customized biosensing patches for tracking medical conditions. 

    “Recyclable electronics like this aren’t going to go out and replace an entire half-trillion-dollar industry by any means, and we’re certainly nowhere near printing recyclable computer processors,” said Franklin. “But demonstrating these types of new materials and their functionality is hopefully a stepping stone in the right direction for a new type of electronics lifecycle.” 

    This work was supported by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (W81XWH-17-2-0045), the National Institutes of Health (1R01HL146849) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-18-1-0222). 

    20Apr, 2021
    NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight

    Ingenuity’s First Black-and-White Image From the Air: NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter took this shot while hovering over the Martian surface on April 19, 2021, during the first instance of powered, controlled flight on another planet. It used its navigation camera, which autonomously tracks the ground during flight. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

    The small rotorcraft made history, hovering above Jezero Crater, demonstrating that powered, controlled flight on another planet is possible.

    Monday, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. The Ingenuity team at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California confirmed the flight succeeded after receiving data from the helicopter via NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover at 6:46 a.m. EDT (3:46 a.m. PDT).

    First Video of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter in Flight: In this video captured by NASA’s Perseverance rover, the agency’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter took the first powered, controlled flight on another planet on April 19, 2021. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS.

    Ingenuity’s Team Waits for Data on Helicopters First Flight: Members of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter team in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory prepare to receive the data downlink showing whether the helicopter completed its first flight on April 19, 2021. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

    The solar-powered helicopter first became airborne at 3:34 a.m. EDT (12:34 a.m. PDT) – 12:33 Local Mean Solar Time (Mars time) – a time the Ingenuity team determined would have optimal energy and flight conditions. Altimeter data indicate Ingenuity climbed to its prescribed maximum altitude of 10 feet (3 meters) and maintained a stable hover for 30 seconds. It then descended, touching back down on the surface of Mars after logging a total of 39.1 seconds of flight. Additional details on the test are expected in upcoming downlinks.

    Ingenuity’s initial flight demonstration was autonomous – piloted by onboard guidance, navigation, and control systems running algorithms developed by the team at JPL. Because data must be sent to and returned from the Red Planet over hundreds of millions of miles using orbiting satellites and NASA’s Deep Space Network, Ingenuity cannot be flown with a joystick, and its flight was not observable from Earth in real time.

    Mars Helicopter Team Awaits First Flight Results: Members of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter team in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory prepare to receive the data downlink showing whether the helicopter completed its first flight on April 19, 2021. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

    NASA Associate Administrator for Science Thomas Zurbuchen announced the name for the Martian airfield on which the flight took place.

    “Now, 117 years after the Wright brothers succeeded in making the first flight on our planet, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter has succeeded in performing this amazing feat on another world,” Zurbuchen said. “While these two iconic moments in aviation history may be separated by time and 173 million miles of space, they now will forever be linked. As an homage to the two innovative bicycle makers from Dayton, this first of many airfields on other worlds will now be known as Wright Brothers Field, in recognition of the ingenuity and innovation that continue to propel exploration.”

    Ingenuity’s chief pilot, Håvard Grip, announced that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – the United Nations’ civil aviation agency – presented NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration with official ICAO designator IGY, call-sign INGENUITY.

    As one of NASA’s technology demonstration projects, the 19.3-inch-tall (49-centimeter-tall) Ingenuity Mars Helicopter contains no science instruments inside its tissue-box-size fuselage. Instead, the 4-pound (1.8-kg) rotorcraft is intended to demonstrate whether future exploration of the Red Planet could include an aerial perspective.

    Perseverance’s Navcam View of Ingenuity’s First Flight: NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter achieves powered, controlled flight for the first time on another planet, hovering for several seconds before touching back down on April 19, 2021. The image was taken by the Navcam aboard the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Full image and caption ›

    This first flight was full of unknowns. The Red Planet has a significantly lower gravity – one-third that of Earth’s – and an extremely thin atmosphere with only 1% the pressure at the surface compared to our planet. This means there are relatively few air molecules with which Ingenuity’s two 4-foot-wide (1.2-meter-wide) rotor blades can interact to achieve flight. The helicopter contains unique components, as well as off-the-shelf-commercial parts – many from the smartphone industry – that were tested in deep space for the first time with this mission.

    Ingenuity’s Team Reacts to Data Showing It Completed Its First Flight: Members of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter team in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory react to data showing that the helicopter completed its first flight on April 19, 2021. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

    Parked about 211 feet (64.3 meters) away at Van Zyl Overlook during Ingenuity’s historic first flight, the Perseverance rover not only acted as a communications relay between the helicopter and Earth, but also chronicled the flight operations with its cameras. The pictures from the rover’s Mastcam-Z and Navcam imagers will provide additional data on the helicopter’s flight.

    Over the next three sols, the helicopter team will receive and analyze all data and imagery from the test and formulate a plan for the second experimental test flight, scheduled for no earlier than April 22. If the helicopter survives the second flight test, the Ingenuity team will consider how best to expand the flight profile.

    8Apr, 2021
    அது செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தின் வானவில்லா?

    நாசாவின் ரோவா் விண்கலத்தின் விடாமுயற்சியால் எடுக்கப்பட்ட புகைப்படத்தை நாசா விளக்கியது. செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தில் எப்படி ஒரு வானவில் சாத்தியம் என்பதற்கு Reddit and Twitter போன்ற இணையதளம் வாயிலாக பல்வேறு விவாதங்கள் நடத்தப்பட்டது. ஆனால் இந்த விவாதம் செவ்வாய் கிரத்தின் நிலத்தையோ அல்லது அதன் தன்மையை பற்றியோ அல்ல. செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தில் தோன்றிய மஞ்சள் நிற வானவில்லை பற்றியதே. இறுதியில் விவாத முடிவில் செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தின் மஞ்சள் நிற வானவில்லாக இருக்கலாம் என்று கூறப்பட்டது.

    ஆனால் நாசா அது வானவில் இல்லை என்று தெளிவுப்படுத்தியுள்ளது. செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தில் வானவில்லிற்கு சாத்தியமில்லை ஏனென்றால் வானவில் என்பது சுற்று நீர் துளிகளால் உருவாககூடிய ஒன்றாகும். செவ்வாய் கிரகத்தில் வானவில் உருவாகும் அளவிற்கு போதுமான நீர் இல்லை. மேலும் புகைப்படம் எடுக்கும் போது கேமரா லெனஸ் விரிவடைவதன் மூலம் இந்த வண்ணம் உருவாகி இருக்க கூடும் என்றும் இது வானவில் இல்லை என்றும் தெளிவுப்படுத்தியுள்ளனா்.
    மேலும் ரோவர் விண்கலம் தன் செயல்பாட்டிற்காக முன்னேறிசெல்லும் போது sunshades -ல் பிம்பம் வானவில் போல் காட்சியளித்திருக்கலாம். Hazcams -ன் பின் பகுதியில் சூரியஒளியின் காரணமாக, ரோவர் விண்கலம் பதிவு செய்த புகைபடத்தில் அவ்வாறு வண்ணம் ஏற்பட்டு இருக்கக்கூடும் என்று நாசா விளக்கம் அளித்தது.

    1Apr, 2021
    Here’s How GMB Can Make Your Business Rock in Local Rankings

    The coronavirus crisis has made it critical for companies to ensure their websites get ranked in search results. There’s no silver bullet or a dedicated tactic. Only a combination of multiple efforts can provide a good rank for local businesses. And this is where (GMB) Google My Business comes into the picture. 

    How GMB Can Make Your Business Rock in Local Rankings 

    The dashboard is proving to be a significant source for quality links. The listing displays all the business details, including reviews, operating information, posts, and more. 

    How does GMB contribute towards local SEO initiatives? 

    Prominence, distance, and relevance are considered critical factors for Google’s local search results. The search engine pairs keywords with verified businesses that are nearby. When it comes to local 3-pack listings, Google gives priority to companies that have verified Google My Business profiles. Such firms stand a better chance of appearing in the top search results. 

    As pointed out in the Local Search Ranking Factors Survey, local pack rankings are highly influenced by Google My Business signals. The logic is simple; GMB profile sends social signals to the search engine and sends traffic to the business website. Reviews on the profile work as social proof. 

    GMB can make your business rock in local rankings. Here’s a quick look at certain critical aspects. 

    1. Getting started with GMB 
    1. What type of content can work? 
    1. What’s the need to tailor content for Google My Business to boost SEO when everything is available on the website? 
    1. Is Google My Business really worth the time and effort? 
    1. GMB during COVID-19 

    #1. Getting started with GMB 

    The first step is creating an account to claim your business. Complete the online verification for your firm. Tag the location on Maps, select a category, and add a phone number as well as a website URL. 

    Then, wait for a physical letter with details from Google to arrive at your address. Once verified, you can fill up the necessary information on the business and complete the listing. Some companies can also complete the process via email or phone call verification. 

    Entrepreneurs can use GMB as an ultimate tool to control how their business information appears in the search engine. Adjusting location in Maps, as well as the knowledge graph, becomes easy. 

    From managing and displaying customer reviews, photos, opening hours to adding NAP details, entrepreneurs can handle various aspects of the business listing with ease. 

    The content is used by Google search and Maps as the primary reference. A selected number of Google Local Guides can review and edit business listings on GMB. 

    This tool from Google is considered one of the most critical components for local SEO success. Remember, the listing is not a button to help climb the charts. It needs to work as a part of your off-site and on-site SEO efforts. Accurate GMB profile, localized content, and a well-optimized site are things that need to go hand in hand. 

    #2. What type of content can work? 

    • Use Google My Business as a channel to share your current content 

    Every content marketer strives to ensure their target audiences remain exposed to the content. However, even choosing the best platform and spending handsomely on social media campaigns may not yield results worth appreciating. Surprisingly, merely updating Google My Business listing with fresh content weekly can help. 

    • Set the basics right 

    Several small businesses neglect basic information and this impacts the customer experience. Ensure you have accurate links for your website, social accounts. Most importantly, the updated list of products and services offered, current working hours, phone numbers, and addresses for various locations need to be accurate. 

    • Focus on offers and specialty of the house 

    The audience viewing GMB content is more transactional. So, the content should focus on offers, specials, and USPs for products and services. 

    • Photos do work 

    Studies have highlighted that firms with 100+ photos in their GMB listing often register more clicks than competitors. 

    • Content that describes the experience 

    Introduce yourself and your firm with videos. If you have a dedicated budget, work with a Google-certified 360 virtual tour professional. 

    Besides videos and photos, a quick introduction to the team members working at the location can be encouraging for consumers. They get an idea about what they can expect after they arrive at the business location. 

    Administrators should also update info for weather-related specials, seasonal offerings, and details for daily specials. 

    • Posts that answer most asked questions 

    Focus on questions that potential consumers ask. Answer them via blog posts and share the same on your listing. 

    • Small description about the company 

    Potential customers would appreciate it if you provide a short description of the company. 

    • Using Google Posts 

    Google Posts feature attracted a lot of attention back during the 2016 elections in the US. The function enables businesses registered with GMB to share messages with consumers on Maps and Google local search panels. 

    Firms can also use Google Posts for advertising new deals, events, and coupons. You can add a call-to-action button in the content for driving user engagement. 

    The analytics feature in GMB enables you to check how the audience interacts with the content you posted via Google Posts. 

    • Spammy tactics do not help 

    Keyword stuffing, creating doorway pages, and posting spun (automating) content on GMB profile is a strict no! 

    Also, paying people to post positive reviews is a bad idea. Remember, the world’s most robust search engine has its advanced set of tools that detect spammy tactics. 

    • Real and honest reviews can do wonders 

    Paying dubious websites to rate you five-star does not work anymore. Genuine review sites and Google can detect spammy reviews and flag your website and business as dishonest. 

    Similarly, asking consumers to leave positive reviews on GMB in exchange for discounts can also backfire. Potential consumers might consider reviews mentioning incentives as false ones. On the other hand, genuine consumers’ feedback proves better even if there’re a few negative ones. 

    • Understand and address negative reviews 

    It is evident; bad reviews do come through. Responding diligently to negative reviews shows how much you care about customers. 

    If something is wrong, acknowledge, understand, and address the issue to make sure consumers end the conversation happily. Apologize and empathize wherever required. Remember, resolving issues means digging into the problem and ensuring all the aspects of your enterprise run smoothly. 

    #3. What’s the need to tailor content for Google My Business to boost SEO when everything is available on the website? 

    The tool has a direct impact on local SEO. Achieving a good rank in a search engine requires time. So, it’s not useful for promoting information that becomes stale quickly. On the other hand, GMB aims at providing accurate and immediate information to searchers. So, Google always gives more relevance to content maintained on the tool. 

    #4. Is Google My Business really worth the time and effort? 

    A study conducted by BrightLocal back in 2019 pointed out the significance of this tool. It highlighted how 45,000 local business listings from GMB managed to get more clicks, views, and actions due to localized content. 

    Digital marketers can deliver the content to the right audience without waiting to get good rankings for the company website. 

    It’s not just about views and clicks. As mentioned earlier, posting content on My Business regularly can help secure a spot in the local-3 pack featuring the top three businesses relevant to the search keywords. Thus, posting fresh content on the tool at least once in seven days is a must for small businesses. 

    #5. GMB during COVID-19 

    The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to tweak their operating hours. Business models have changed, and so has the list of products, services. Shipping timeframes have changed. The world has entered 2021, and vaccines are being administered. However, local lockdowns and restrictions are still in place. 

    In the current situation, the Google My Business tool can help in keeping customers updated about changes. Accurate information will be readily available on Google Maps and search results as well. 

    An SEO company with local search engine optimization experts can help you set GMB listings in the right way.