Google Ads Mobile Test, Google My Business Updates, and Brand Names in Title Tags

Haven’t kept up with search news over the past few days? Here’s a quick recap. On the menu: Google is testing a new mobile layout for Google Ads, Google My Business is getting several changes, and John Mueller confirms that a common practice, putting your brand name in the title tag, is fine.

Paid Results Showing Only the Headline and URL on Mobile?

Google appears to be testing a new mobile display format for its paid ads. At least, that’s what a screenshot captured by PPC Hubbub and shared on Twitter on Friday, September 14, 2018, suggests.

The ad headlines and URLs are there, but the descriptions and ad extensions are nowhere to be seen.

Whether this test will turn into a permanent change remains to be seen. For the record, we weren’t able to reproduce it ourselves.

Need help managing your Google Ads campaigns? Start with how Google Ads works, then take a look at our Google Ads management services.

Google My Business: Edit Reviews and Ratings Right From the Local Panel

It’s now easier to edit the reviews and ratings you’ve left for stores and businesses on Google My Business. How? Just click the “Edit” button next to your review or rating, directly in Google Maps or the local panel.

Changed your mind about a business? You can now say so in a single click. For business owners, it’s one more reason to respond to negative reviews constructively: an unhappy customer can now update a rating with ease.

Opening Soon? Let Future Customers Know on Google My Business

Google My Business now lets you announce that a location is opening soon.

If your coffee shop is about to have its grand opening, or your clothing store opens in two weeks, you can flag it directly in Google My Business and keep searchers in the loop. For the rest of your listing, our local SEO guide for small businesses walks through the essentials.

Your Brand Name in the Title Tag? Google Says That’s Fine

Many businesses add their brand name to their title tags, usually after carefully chosen keywords. In August 2018, Google’s John Mueller confirmed that this is perfectly acceptable, as long as the title tag isn’t made up of the brand name alone. Clear enough. (For more on this, see our guide to title tag SEO.)

“That wouldn’t be bad, assuming the title has more than just the brand name.”

John Mueller (@JohnMu) on Twitter, August 16, 2018

Where Things Stand in 2026

Google My Business was renamed Google Business Profile in November 2021. Adding your brand to title tags is still common practice, and since 2022 Google can also display a site name above search results, separately from the page title.

Référenceur is a French-speaking digital marketing agency from Belgium and Luxembourg that helps U.S. businesses with paid and organic search, working remotely through video calls, shared screens, and monthly reporting. Get a free assessment to see where your search visibility stands.