Google’s recent changes to its search algorithm just threw a wrench into your online strategy. Even the White House took notice.
Search users who are logged into Google, that is, anyone who uses a Google app like Gmail or Google+, now have the option to search for “personal results.”
Personal results include updates, links and photos shared by people and organizations on Google+, “transforming Google into a search engine that understands not only content, but also people and relationships," per Google in their post, Search, plus Your World.
Also, Google+ Profiles are now included in search results and have become part of the autocomplete script in the search field. In the Recommendations sidebar, People & Pages on Google+ are included alongside the usual Google ads.
War of the giants
Twitter and other critics didn't take long to complain that Google's search results now favor content from its own social network. Twitter released a statement saying, “We’re concerned that as a result of Google’s changes, finding (real-time) information will be much harder for everyone. We think that’s bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users.” Facebook, Twitter and MySpace engineers even created an add-on for browsers, Don’t Be Evil bookmarklet, which is supposed to show what results would look like without Google+ favoritism.
Until last summer Google had a contract with Twitter giving it access to Twitter’s content. I’ve read that Google is trying to arrange deals with Twitter and Facebook so it can access their public content, but for now Google+ will monopolize Your World.
Today, the West Wing. Tomorrow, the world.
What’s the big deal, you say, no one I know is using Google+. Compared to other social networks, Google+ is small, but growing fast. According to metrics firm comScore, Facebook has 793 million active users, Twitter has 168 million, and Google+ has 67 million. But, Google says, that number has climbed to 90 million since November.
Organizations are starting to pay attention. The White House joined Google+ last Friday, and is already posting updates and videos. On Monday, the President will participate in a Google+ Hangout (video conference) with ten people who submitted questions through YouTube (a Google property).
Market intelligence firm Experian Hitwise predicts Google+ will reach 400 million users by the end of 2012, no doubt helped by the fact that Google now requires new Gmail accounts to create Google+ profiles too.
Facebook is often touted as being the 3rd largest country in the world. If Google+ hits 400 million, it will be the 4th largest country!
Will Google+ denizens become the new influencers?
Search engine optimization (SEO) will remain critical but it may no longer be enough. If people select Personal Results as a habit, or if Google makes that the default, your website and blog pages may lose their place in search rankings to Google+ results.
What do you do? Play with Google+ personally to see how it works. Search for your members and other audiences. Who’s already there? Think about their content needs and interests. Just like any other online endeavor: play, strategize, play, adjust and repeat.
Then, read Maddie Grant’s tips on creating a business page for your association, and John Haydon’s tips on what to do after you’ve set it up.
Optimize your content for Google+ sharing. If you haven’t already, add social sharing buttons, including the +1 button, to your website and blog pages.
Build a strong Google+ following: the more followers you have, the higher your page will rank in search results and the more likely it will appear in the People & Pages sidebar.
Use the Google+ Circles feature to your advantage by selecting targeted audiences (circles) for your Google+ updates and shares.
Maddie said in a recent Socialfish post: “Main takeaway: ignore G+ at your peril.” No one can predict the next chapter in this story, but I agree with Maddie, based on what we currently know, it’s time to pay attention to Google+.
Deirdre Reid, CAE is a freelance writer with social media platform fatigue who finally got on Google+ this past weekend.
Search users who are logged into Google, that is, anyone who uses a Google app like Gmail or Google+, now have the option to search for “personal results.”
Personal results include updates, links and photos shared by people and organizations on Google+, “transforming Google into a search engine that understands not only content, but also people and relationships," per Google in their post, Search, plus Your World.
Also, Google+ Profiles are now included in search results and have become part of the autocomplete script in the search field. In the Recommendations sidebar, People & Pages on Google+ are included alongside the usual Google ads.
War of the giants
Twitter and other critics didn't take long to complain that Google's search results now favor content from its own social network. Twitter released a statement saying, “We’re concerned that as a result of Google’s changes, finding (real-time) information will be much harder for everyone. We think that’s bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users.” Facebook, Twitter and MySpace engineers even created an add-on for browsers, Don’t Be Evil bookmarklet, which is supposed to show what results would look like without Google+ favoritism.
Until last summer Google had a contract with Twitter giving it access to Twitter’s content. I’ve read that Google is trying to arrange deals with Twitter and Facebook so it can access their public content, but for now Google+ will monopolize Your World.
Today, the West Wing. Tomorrow, the world.
What’s the big deal, you say, no one I know is using Google+. Compared to other social networks, Google+ is small, but growing fast. According to metrics firm comScore, Facebook has 793 million active users, Twitter has 168 million, and Google+ has 67 million. But, Google says, that number has climbed to 90 million since November.
Organizations are starting to pay attention. The White House joined Google+ last Friday, and is already posting updates and videos. On Monday, the President will participate in a Google+ Hangout (video conference) with ten people who submitted questions through YouTube (a Google property).
Market intelligence firm Experian Hitwise predicts Google+ will reach 400 million users by the end of 2012, no doubt helped by the fact that Google now requires new Gmail accounts to create Google+ profiles too.
Facebook is often touted as being the 3rd largest country in the world. If Google+ hits 400 million, it will be the 4th largest country!
Will Google+ denizens become the new influencers?
Search engine optimization (SEO) will remain critical but it may no longer be enough. If people select Personal Results as a habit, or if Google makes that the default, your website and blog pages may lose their place in search rankings to Google+ results.
What do you do? Play with Google+ personally to see how it works. Search for your members and other audiences. Who’s already there? Think about their content needs and interests. Just like any other online endeavor: play, strategize, play, adjust and repeat.
Then, read Maddie Grant’s tips on creating a business page for your association, and John Haydon’s tips on what to do after you’ve set it up.
Optimize your content for Google+ sharing. If you haven’t already, add social sharing buttons, including the +1 button, to your website and blog pages.
Build a strong Google+ following: the more followers you have, the higher your page will rank in search results and the more likely it will appear in the People & Pages sidebar.
Use the Google+ Circles feature to your advantage by selecting targeted audiences (circles) for your Google+ updates and shares.
Maddie said in a recent Socialfish post: “Main takeaway: ignore G+ at your peril.” No one can predict the next chapter in this story, but I agree with Maddie, based on what we currently know, it’s time to pay attention to Google+.
Deirdre Reid, CAE is a freelance writer with social media platform fatigue who finally got on Google+ this past weekend.
Powered by Compendium
All I know for sure, is I have to get serious about it....fast....