I’ve seen this question asked over and over again from clients, LinkedIn connections, and on major social platforms.
In short, my answer is this. Check your analytics for referral traffic. If Google is not among the top 5, or even 10 referral resources, toss out this blog post and all those referenced within.
However, if so, then why wouldn’t you leverage the social network on the most trafficked search engine on the planet?
Secondly, with AuthorRank playing a major role in the 2013 algorithm it again begs the question, why not?
For those of us serious about driving traffic to our websites and client websites, increasing lead generation, and making an impact with our online advertising effort, Google+ just makes sense.
But don’t take it just from me; check out what these reputable sources had to say.
In the Know
Danish SEO thought leader, Henrik Bondtofte, says this about AuthorRank, “Imagine a world where Google uses human aspects, such as an author’s qualifications and expertise as ranking factors. Allow me to introduce AuthorRank – possibly the biggest change in Google’s algorithm to date. Bigger even than Panda and Penguin!”
So what happens if you had a website with killer content and great ranking and then you sold it? How does that impact the future of your new endeavor and that of the past?
Bondtofte commented, “AuthorRank will make this whole process easier because it allows Google to ‘remember’ the authority and credibility you’ve built up around yourself as an individual publisher.”
So, it’s very important to include the <rel=”author” link=”your-googlplus-url” /> in your blog/website code.
Why Else?
Shama Kabani, founder and CEO of The Marketing Zen, said this in a recent interview, “Search is becoming so much more personalized.” So, when on Google+ and searching content, content associated with those in a person’s circles will show in the search results.
Just think how influential that could be!
Daniel Lebrun, from BloggersPassion.com, added there are several reasons to join Google+, including:
- Increase in SEO
- Hangout Hosting
- Content Distribution
- Engaging with a tech-savvy audience
- Audience segmentation
- Networking
Brian Clark, from CopyBlogger, reminds us that Google+ is more than just a social network, it “has become the glue that unifies Google’s various offerings into a seamless whole.” Many of Google’s features, like Maps, News, Translate, Gmail, and more are accessible through Google+ and are visible in the toolbar. Further, personalized search and algorithmic search are combined in one on this platform.
Need more convincing?
Mashable offered a 20-point infographic on why you should connect, including reasons such as better mobile apps with faster load times, browser integration, ease of enabling privacy settings, less bloat, and more.
Mark Traphagen, from Social Fresh, tossed in the “community aspect of Google+ and how brand can leverage the power of it, such as:
- Building communities owned by your brand’s page.
- Posting your content as well as the brand’s content in the community.
- Creating and inspiring a strong moderator team.
- Participating as a brand in other communities is important too.
- Invite people to your community.
- Leverage the community as a customer service hub too.
The Last Word
If all of this hasn’t convinced you to consider Google+ in your marketing strategy, maybe “The Ultimate Guide to Google+ for Business,” by Paul Goldston from Reload Media will help. It includes:
- Why you need to get on board;
- Setting up a business page;
- Tactics for building a following;
- How Google+ can boost your AdWords campaigns, and much more.
In the end, considering the social media platforms to include in your marketing efforts is key. In addition to the big ones, like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube, I’d recommend keeping this one on the front burner as well.
Your Turn
What have you found to be most eye opening about Google+ since you started using it? Share your story.
