It's Time To Create Your Google+ Profile

[morestar]

OK so as we know, Google released their nice little social network called Google+ and although it's taken some time to nicely lift-off, it's slowly but surely gaining momentum and becoming more and more important to Internet marketers and SEOs.

With that said, Social Examiner released their 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry report (http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-media-marketing-industry-report-2012/) that shows that although only around 40% of Internet marketers are using Google+ (http://marketingland.com/40-percent-marketers-using-google-9279), that those numbers are about to change. Here's some stats from the report that matter in this regard.


58 percent of marketers with 3+ years of experience are using Google+, while only 29 pecent of marketers with six months or less experience are using it.

Are you using Google+? Have you created an business pages for yourself or your clients through Google+? If you haven't, then why not? Really, what do you have to lose? Maybe the quote below answers my question:


But the survey makes it clear that marketers want to learn more about Google+ and have plans to increase their marketing efforts there. Sixty-seven percent of respondents say they plan to increase Google+ usage, and (not shown below) 70 percent expressed an interest in learning more about using Google+.

Maybe there's a difference between the mindset of an SEO and an Internet marketer, there must be. I wonder if there are actually more SEOs using Google+ than Internet marketers.

What are your thoughts? If you haven't, do you plan on using Google+ much more this year and into 2013? It did take me about a month to emerge myself into the new network but now that I'm there I must say I'm finding it really interesting, not to mention my personalized search results are quite informative.

Now with all that said, I have to admit though that my search results are a little confusing. How? Well I sometimes wonder if I'm getting search results based on Google's ranking system or getting results based on my Google+ interactions and connections. Sometimes I don't want that info - and only want the regular information that I'm used to getting. Are you experiencing the same thing?

[shailender]

I have created Google+ profile few months back, but I don't use it as I feel it might affect my search results which I don't want.

[SteveGerencser]

While 40% of internet marketers are using G+, nearly no one else is.

My standard response is, go where your customers are, not where Google wants you to go. Since everyone that buys an android phone has to have a google account, and google has now bundled all of their accounts/services (remember that little privacy update?) they get to claim hundreds of thousands of new users that never actually use G+.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Are you using Google+?

Sort of



Have you created an business pages for yourself or your clients through Google+?

Yes



If you haven't, then why not?

They probably don't even have a clue about this. Really, who even knows about this outside the internet marketing and seo arena?



Maybe there's a difference between the mindset of an SEO and an Internet marketer, there must be. I wonder if there are actually more SEOs using Google+ than Internet marketers.

Could be. I have more spammers following me than people who are interested in what I post lately.



Well I sometimes wonder if I'm getting search results based on Google's ranking system or getting results based on my Google+ interactions and connections. Sometimes I don't want that info - and only want the regular information that I'm used to getting. Are you experiencing the same thing?
Are you surfing logged in to Google?

[morestar]

Are you surfing logged in to Google?

Yes, (sometimes) I should have said that differently. What I mean is, things are a bit confusing and there are times when I just want results and not results from my circles...just because their in my circles...I know this is the way it is but...

[bzforum]

I have a account in G+ ... and it help a lot!! I am getting traffic to many of my sites from G+ !!! It has many features better than FB !! Also please note it is still working on updating more features soon!!

[deepsand]

Google+ is becoming popular day by day because Google is attaching Google+ to its every product, therefore all the internet users have to use Google+.
Utter nonsense.

[JackMirror]

G + is really so beneficial? I have an account and frankly I have not found much advantage ... perhaps in Italy (i'm italian) still does not work well ...

[deepsand]

Making a clear distinction between Google Plus (G+) and +1 (g+1) when writing would be useful for some readers.

[trade-show-oracle]

I'm not sure how much google plus is taking off. I see FaceBook and Twitter mentioned all the time in the news, but seldom do I see google plus mentioned. Still, I think google has a lot invested in it and really wants it to pay off, so I'm sure they'll keep promoting it. Still, I think google plus vs facebook is like bing vs google (regular). It will be interesting to see how this goes.

[pervezalam_mzn]

As per my analysis i don't see Google+ gives traffic, popularity or some other benifits in any case.... as i have shared many post on G+ with many hundreds G+ vote on a post...but don't see any type of benifit in terms of traffic generation, popularity like other website, but if we do same efforts with Facebook and other social media website, we get lots of traffic, likes, popularity in same efforts that we do with G+, So if i rate any Socal media webiste that i use and get benifits from them..i would like to say number one is - DIGG then facebook, reddit, stumble, delicious, twitter, then G+, but in some case i notice google+ profile image link comes with search results in top search... here it attract people to do same with there results also.

[mogawk]

I created my Google+ profile when it first launched and noticed that the activity by other users have dropped off substantially.

[Mike-H]

Really not sure of the benefits of Google Plus or G+1 yet. My paranoia has led me to create some pages for a couple of sites and add posts with links to a few pages. Not sure what the long term SEO benefits and traffic generation may be.

[nghenghiepviet]

I don't know, I just find G+ like Facebook but not so impressive. Maybe I need to take more time to discover more.

[deepsand]

Google+ page have become a need of the day. It is much required these days as it provides a better opportunity to rank well in the Google pages.
Utter nonsense.

[ozsubasi]

I thought I should try to do something with Google+. The big problem I have is that I don't know anyone who uses it. So how do I build a "circle"? Do I just add random people from those suggested to me?
My problem with the whole social media thing is that I feel strangely compelled to follow the crowd and take part even though I personally don't like it and have no personal need of it. But I read everywhere how I need to get "likes" etc because Google puts store in them. I am absolutely sure that people I know who may use these sites don't want to receive anything from me alluding to my selling them something, and I don't want to send it to them - they are friends or business acquaintances who know what I do anyway. It is after all social media not business media. Am I alone in thinking that this is something being created to fulfill a perceived need (i.e. that people want to know about other people's websites)?
My wife Carol loves Facebook and is on it every day, exchanging stuff with friends both in our home country and those who live 5 minutes walk away. That's fine, but do they want to look at a business page? If I get them all to give my site a click on the Facebook or Twitter button or to open a Google+ account for the same purpose, does that mean my site is better? It all seems crazy to me, am I missing something fundamental?

[nemo23]

I am knew here.I have a g+ account. G+ is better than FB.But in Bangladesh it not really work good. Most of the people are use FB. But i think g+ is better than FB.

[deepsand]

If Google Plus does not work well, and most use Facebook instead, how is G+ better than FB?

[nemo23]

Most of the people use FB here Because they don't know about G+. So they use FB. G+ have some interesting tools and these are help me that's why i say G+ better than FB.

[deepsand]

But, you also said the G+ does not work well there.

[nemo23]

I think it is some kind of network problem.Some time internet make us suffer. We don't have fastest net here.And in village area net connection is very poor.

[deepsand]

Well, if G+ is such a resource hog that it won't work where FB will, then it is not the better.

[iandoc]

While 40% of internet marketers are using G+, nearly no one else is.

My standard response is, go where your customers are, not where Google wants you to go. Since everyone that buys an android phone has to have a google account, and google has now bundled all of their accounts/services (remember that little privacy update?) they get to claim hundreds of thousands of new users that never actually use G+.
The BIGGEST advantage must be the integration with AuthorRank

[deepsand]

Why "must be?"

[iandoc]

Because this is the vehicle for introducing what is likely to be the biggest single 'advance' in SERPs - authorrank

[deepsand]

Begs the question.

[AboutWeb]

Articles written by authors with higher Author Rank will appear first in the search results. Remember the <rel=author tag.

[deepsand]

What is new and demonstrably more efficacious?

[iandoc]

Articles written by authors with higher Author Rank will appear first in the search results.

I would suggest that is a slight overstatement.
AuthorRank will be another element to be added to the other 200+ elements already contributing to rankings. Albeit an important element. But it does not mean it will be THE element above all others.

[deepsand]

Given the persistent troubles that Google has with getting things to work right using ages old variables, I am more than a bit hesitant to give any great import to new ones.

[iandoc]

Given the persistent troubles that Google has with getting things to work right using ages old variables, I am more than a bit hesitant to give any great import to new ones.

The logic behind this, in my opinion, is so solid that I can see this becoming a dominant issue. It will help to sift out the high volume of rubbish that currently sits on the internet.

[deepsand]

The rational behind all of the factors in Google's SERP algo. is sound; the problem lies in evaluating the data, identifying and eliminating any co-dependencies, and assigning it proper numeric value and weight.

Then there is here the issue re. the material relevance of the identity of the author vis-a-vis the various locations of the content. E.g., that I am the author, and have my own site, does not necessarily mean that your presentation of and/or about my work is not the better one.

[Avigma]

Google+ is released to compete with facebook's business pages. I think Google will give more preference to the Google+ page to all other social networking sites. Creation of Google+ page is very simple. I have created many Google+ pages for my clients. It contains almost all facilities like chatting, video uploading, Link sharing, video and voice chatting etc. But, still it is not as popular as it should be.

[deepsand]

still it is not as popular as it should be.

And, it's not becoming any more popular. Posting activity on G+ downright anemic.



Google+ now has more than 100 million users, but data shows that once we’re signed up for Google's social networking site, we lose interest in it quickly.

The average post has less than one +1, less than one comment, and is re-shared less than once, says Business metrics firm RJMetrics. That means a majority of us post information that doesn’t get noticed, and that lack of notice likely is the reason why many of us don’t come back, or that we come back very rarely.

RJMetrics found the average Google+ user posts once every 12 days, and 30 percent of all users who make one post never make a second one. Even after five posts, there’s still a 15 percent chance the user will not post again.


More at Google+: No Comments? (http://www.pcworld.com/article/255712/google_no_comments.html)

[iandoc]

Google+ is released to compete with facebook's business pages. I think Google will give more preference to the Google+ page to all other social networking sites. Creation of Google+ page is very simple. I have created many Google+ pages for my clients. It contains almost all facilities like chatting, video uploading, Link sharing, video and voice chatting etc. But, still it is not as popular as it should be.

The point to bear in mind must be the relative power that will be bestowed (by Google) upon those with a Google+ account - thereby driving us (some of us kicking and screaming) into the tool whether we like it or not.

[deepsand]

What sort of "power?"

And, if it's going arbitrarily corrupt its SERPs, why now, and not so with any of it's earlier attempts at becoming a player in social networking?

[iandoc]

As I referred to earlier in the thread - the AuthorRank process.

Concerning the pure social media vs facebook - I agree, Google are lacking if only in timing.
But in my view, Google+ will be much more than this.

[deepsand]

And, as previously noted, that's problematic to the point of being far from a slam-dunk.

The fact remains that G+ is simply nowhere close to achieving critical mass, and shows no signs of getting there in the foreseeable future.

[iandoc]

And, as previously noted, that's problematic to the point of being far from a slam-dunk.

The fact remains that G+ is simply nowhere close to achieving critical mass, and shows no signs of getting there in the foreseeable future.

You may well be right deepsand. And I am notoriously conservative when it comes to jumping onto bandwagons.
But I feel a sea-change here.
Anyway, only time will tell eh?

[deepsand]

The technorati and media have already jumped on the G+ float; but, no one else is joining the parade. To put it succinctly, its demographics suck.

[GooglePluser]

Many people and even internet marketers think that G+ is not active and there are no people to have contact with them , or offer some products. But today having G+ is the most important and essential for webmasters. Google wants everyone to be engaged in this social network, so it does his best to "make" people active on this social platform. If you are active on G+, have your site URLs shared, and get the +1s, then you've benefits and your site gets the strength. All these G+ factors increase your rank and positions in the Google SERP. So if you want to get high rankings you have to use Google's social network

[weegillis]

Originally posted by deepsand: (Couldn't repair the corrupted post so reposting on his behalf.)


Many people and even internet marketers think that G+ is not active and there are no people to have contact with them , or offer some products. But today having G+ is the most important and essential for webmasters.
It is an empirically observable fact that " that G+ is not active," such that the claim that "G+ is the most important and essential for webmasters" is wholly unsupported.


Google wants everyone to be engaged in this social network, so it does his best to "make" people active on this social platform.
There is no way for Google to "make people active."


If you are active on G+, have your site URLs shared, and get the +1s, then you've benefits and your site gets the strength. All these G+ factors increase your rank and positions in the Google SERP. So if you want to get high rankings you have to use Google's social network
Utter nonsense. There is no evidence to support these many claims.

[mjtaylor]

Well, I think the jury is out on this topic. I do think Google has added algorithmic weight to shares on Google+ and, perhaps, to Plus1 "likes." I think that's what our new member, GooglePluser, means when she says G is making us 'active.' As I mentioned in another thread I have been lax about adding Google+ pages and being active on G+ and making my clients do the same ... and I am feeling the pressure to do so.

---------- Post added at 09:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 PM ----------

Of some value perhaps: A Look at Brand Engagement on Google+ : http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/News/News-Feature/A-Look-at-Brand-Engagement-on-Google--82792.htm

and from http://www.dreamgrow.com/top-10-social-networking-sites-by-market-share-of-visits-april-2012/

Similarly, Google+ is slightly up. Reaching a new high of 0.58% of market share in US. Google is pushing Plus into everything they do and the sheer number of Google users will make their social networking service slowly expand.

[deepsand]

Well, I think the jury is out on this topic. I do think Google has added algorithmic weight to shares on Google+ and, perhaps, to Plus1 "likes." I think that's what our new member, GooglePluser, means when she says G is making us 'active.'
The whole sentence reads "Google wants everyone to be engaged in this social network, so it does his best to "make" people active on this social platform." Re-ordering the premise and conclusion, and paraphrasing, this becomes "Google tries to make people be active because it wants them to be active."

Were "active" to refer to some behind the scenes action vis-a-vis the SERP algorithm there would be no need for Google to "do its best" to bring such to realization; and, as such would not be obvious to G+ members, it would not induce them to be more active.

As for
Reaching a new high of 0.58% of market share in US. Google is pushing Plus into everything they do and the sheer number of Google users will make their social networking service slowly expand. , as has been previously noted, this is not translating into either a broader demographic member base or increased member activity.

[C0ldf1re]

... Really, who even knows about this outside the internet marketing and seo arena?..

The technorati and media have already jumped on the G+ float; but, no one else is joining the parade...
What would make somebody use G+? In my case it would be somebody important who is willing to network with me over social media, but who uses G+ and does not use FB or LinkedIn. At present, everybody with whom I need to network is on FB and/or LinkedIn. I need to keep tabs on yet another network the same way I need a fifth leg.

[deepsand]

I need to keep tabs on yet another network the same way I need a fifth leg.
Therein lies Google's problem; how to convince enough people to abandon what they already have.

As for myself, over the years I have constantly received invitations from people on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Plaxo/MyLife; this, compared to a single invitation to Google Plus. Were I to decide to jump into social networking, why would I choose G+?

[weegillis]

Google could just as easily abandon +1 simply because there are not enough opportunities to monetize it. Look at the flack FB is getting with their IPO? People are getting cold feet en mass. Sooner or later they are going to be their own nemesis, where their own goliathness turns on them. (Opinion)

[Lorel509]

I have Google+ set up but too busy working to do much socializing. However I believe it is a big plus if used with the rel="author" tag (your profile in google+ links to your website and the rel="author" at the end of your article links to Google+ -- it shows Google you are the original author which helps prevent people scraping your content, or their getting any credit for it. Also when people search for your keywords your site shows up in Google along with the picture in your profile, which stands out a lot in the SERPs.

[SteveGerencser]

Until google fixes the identity issues, 548237924875 vs @stevegerencser or facebook.com/brand name they will not see the same level of adoption in the real world as we see with sites like twitter and facebook.

Today on NASCAR the drivers almost all have @theirname or the little bird logo their name on both their cars and their fire suits. Not too likely to see 346805742658 on a firesuit.

[deepsand]

... it shows Google you are the original author ...
It's merely an unsubstantiated claim of authorship.


... which helps prevent people scraping your content, ...
Just how does that work?


... or their getting any credit for it.
Maybe; maybe not.

[deepsand]

The only Advantage / DisAdvantage I see in making google plus profile that whenever mail coming from any customer, his/her profile is showing on the right side whom I can add into my circles.
With gMail's market share still in single digits, such "advantage" is vanishingly small.

[marcberry]

Though it is early with respect to Google+ and +1, noting the impact Google has on the internet universe, it doesn't really make sense to not incorporate a Plus strategy into your social media efforts...

[macgizmoguy]

Though it is early with respect to Google+ and +1, noting the impact Google has on the internet universe, it doesn't really make sense to not incorporate a Plus strategy into your social media efforts...

Thanks for such a succinct and accurate statement. There isn't a single disadvantage to participating in their network of Authority and Trust, and clear real-world advantages readily visible in Page 1 of SERPS and beyond.

Author Rank is where the internet is implicitly headed. If Panda weeded out low-quality content, and Penguin decimated low-ball link graphs, the next logical move will be to go after the million and one FAKE USERS, accounts, and spammed content that are created daily with automation.

It's time to GET REAL with Google+ if you aren't already, cuz this is one fence you don't want to be sitting on the wrong side of.

[deepsand]

Thanks for such a succinct and accurate statement. There isn't a single disadvantage to participating in their network of Authority and Trust, and clear real-world advantages readily visible in Page 1 of SERPS and beyond.

Author Rank is where the internet is implicitly headed. If Panda weeded out low-quality content, and Penguin decimated low-ball link graphs, the next logical move will be to go after the million and one FAKE USERS, accounts, and spammed content that are created daily with automation.

It's time to GET REAL with Google+ if you aren't already, cuz this is one fence you don't want to be sitting on the wrong side of.
Given that the claims of present and assured future values accruing from G+ are speculative, and that investing resources in what may be a failed effort is wasteful, there may very well be a disadvantage to jumping on the G+ wagon.

[iandoc]

Thanks for such a succinct and accurate statement. There isn't a single disadvantage to participating in their network of Authority and Trust, and clear real-world advantages readily visible in Page 1 of SERPS and beyond.

Author Rank is where the internet is implicitly headed. If Panda weeded out low-quality content, and Penguin decimated low-ball link graphs, the next logical move will be to go after the million and one FAKE USERS, accounts, and spammed content that are created daily with automation.

It's time to GET REAL with Google+ if you aren't already, cuz this is one fence you don't want to be sitting on the wrong side of.

I heartily agree macgizmoguy. I have decided to embrace the concept - without being distracted by the me-too social networking nonsense.

[C0ldf1re]

... it is a big plus if used with the rel="author" tag (your profile in google+ links to your website and the rel="author" at the end of your article links to Google+ -- it shows Google you are the original author which helps prevent people scraping your content, or their getting any credit for it. Also when people search for your keywords your site shows up in Google along with the picture in your profile, which stands out a lot in the SERPs.

It's merely an unsubstantiated claim of authorship...
No doubt Google will take the view that if you claim authorship by rel="author" and nobody else does, then Google will consider you the author. If disputes arise, then Google will no doubt set up a Google's-decision-is-final arbitration system.


... investing resources in what may be a failed effort is wasteful...
Of course you are right in principle. But adding a rel="author" tag is the investment of very trivial resources.

[deepsand]

Consider the following scenario.


Document 1, Domain Name A, Content X, Author=John Smith
Document 2, Domain Name B, Content X, Author=John Smith
Document 3, Domain Name C, Content Y, Author=John Smith
Document 4, Domain Name D, Content Z, Author=John Smith

How many different Authors are here involved?

Which John Smith is claiming which document(s)?

[SteveGerencser]

The rel=author is a two way street. You can claim authorship on site if you control the site or no one there checks ownership before giving it to you. That site links to your google+ profile.

Part 2 requires that you link to the original content from your google+ page creating a reciprocal link. The odds of being able to fake both ends of the handshake are minimal and are generally considered to be safe from tampering at this point. (barring actual site hacking).

There can be an infinite number of John Smith's because they will each link back to their own unique G+ page. It's not that hard.

[C0ldf1re]

... It's not that hard.
Mind you, some of us don't want any degree of hardness at all! Do you have a link to any place with words-of-one-syllable explanations and idiot-proof examples? (Please?)

[SteveGerencser]

Mind you, some of us don't want any degree of hardness at all! Do you have a link to any place with words-of-one-syllable explanations and idiot-proof examples? (Please?)

No. I refuse to do idiot proof and simple anymore. It makes people lazy and creates better idiots. If you want to learn, Joost has some great information with several ways it can be done. Some easier than others.

http://yoast.com/wordpress-rel-author-rel-me/
http://yoast.com/push-rel-author-head/

[Tubby]

I should like to point out at this point that only a true idiot knows that nothing is idiot proof.

This is one fact in the universe of knowledge that I am confident about.

[iandoc]

But adding a rel="author" tag is the investment of very trivial resources.

Agreed. So, to return to the point "It's Time To Create Your Google+ Profile". - Google+ should not be ignored.

[C0ldf1re]

I should like to point out at this point that only a true idiot knows that nothing is idiot proof... This is one fact in the universe of knowledge that I am confident about.
Didn't you mean "only a true idiot denies that 'nothing is idiot proof'"?




No. I refuse to do idiot proof and simple anymore. It makes people lazy and creates better idiots...
Didn't you mean "creates worse idiots"? (Thanks for the links -- the info there isn't too hard!)

[Tubby]

Didn't you mean "only a true idiot denies that 'nothing is idiot proof'"?

NO! . . I wrote what I meant.



Didn't you mean "creates worse idiots"?

Probably ditto.

[raj kumar]

If Google Plus does not work well, and most use Facebook instead, how is G+ better than FB?
what do you mean? do you think g+ will have less users....,, please check with the statistics

[deepsand]

what do you mean? do you think g+ will have less users....,, please check with the statistics
Did you check the statistics?

Not only does Facebook have many more users than does Google+, Google+ activity is a pittance of that of Facebook and showing no sign of improvement.

[SteveGerencser]

I have a Google + account. Google has already indicated that data coming against Google + button is going to be a ranking factor on Google. Large number of clicks on your google + button that will boost your website rankings on Goolge search. Google + is an important platform for businesses.

No, they haven't. In fact, they have said the opposite. It's too easily gamed, especially with people using the +1 system to view content. There are sites out there where you are required to click the +1 button just to see the content, not after you see it. This sort of doorway process makes using it as a ranking factor worthless.

[donovanjames786]

G + is really so beneficial? I have an account and frankly I have not found much advantage ... perhaps in Italy (i'm italian) still does not work well ...

Well its not sure that it will help everyone to grab traffic, strategy also does matters. If you are targeting your audience and putting them inside your circles and after that posting unique and relevant information to them then naturally Google+ will drive traffic for you.

[deepsand]

Well its not sure that it will help everyone to grab traffic, strategy also does matters. If you are targeting your audience and putting them inside your circles and after that posting unique and relevant information to them then naturally Google+ will drive traffic for you.
Why "naturally?"

Given that the demographics and usage patterns of the G+ user base are conspicuously different from those of the on-line population as a whole, why assume that their buying habits will not also be markedly different for the worse?