Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know by now that Google officially opened their Google Plus social network to everyone last Thursday.
For months, it was an invitation-only kind of party, now everyone’s invited.
So the question is…
Should you show up?
What is Google Plus?
For those who don’t know, the Google Plus button is Google’s answer to the Facebook “Like” button. Anytime you “plus one” content or search results, it acts as a vote and shows up in your Google account.
Shortly after the release of the Plus One button, Google introduced their own social network called Google Plus. Members of the network can comment on the content they “plus one” and share it with anyone they’re connected with in the network.
Similar to Facebook pages, you can also tag people, post links, pictures and video.
So What Does This Mean for Your Site?
In the short term, probably very little. However, Google admitted that they are looking into ways to use the Plus One button to influence search engine optimization. So you could interpret that to mean sites that get more plus one votes could see an SEO benefit down the line.
I should also point out that you don’t have to join the social network to get “votes” for your content. If someone “plus ones” your page in the search results, it still becomes a vote for your site — even if you are not a member of the network. Again, the impact of this from an SEO standpoint is still unknown.
Another benefit of using the network is it provides another way to synch your online profile with the websites you own. Anytime you get the opportunity to let Google know the sites you own and improve your “Google Authority” rating, you should take advantage of it.
Marko Saric wrote an excellent article on how to integrate Google Authorship into your Thesis blog.
As he pointed out, the Web is about people and the relationships you build. The days of successful, anonymous blogging and webmastering are over.
The Jury is Still Out
The feedback around the Web seems to be mixed. Some believe G+ will devour Facebook over time. It also doesn’t help that FB seems to be helping out by continuing to annoy their members with random updates and privacy exploits.
Others feel it’s just too much, adding that they are overwhelmed by the thought of having to manage yet another site.
I know how you feel. When the Google Plus One button first came out, I felt the Internet had reached the point of sharing overload. I blogged about that here.
The Facts
No matter how you feel about Google Plus, it’s hard to ignore a big release like this from The Almighty Google. It’s far too early to tell what impact the G+ network and button will have on our websites, but you just can’t ignore certain facts…
1) It’s Google – the search engine giant. ‘Nuff said.
2) Google admitted they are planning to use this technology to impact SEO.
3) Search AdWords have included the Plus One button since May, and now they are rolling this out to AdSense
4) The G+ social network hit the 43 million user mark last week. It took Facebook 3 years to reach that mark!
My point is, Google has put a lot of attention and resources into this project so it’s hard for me to just blow it off and ignore. If this was Microsoft, I’d be less inclined to jump on the bandwagon. But since this is Google…
I jumped. 🙂
What Should You Do Today?
It certainly isn’t going to hurt anything to add a Google Plus One button to your site. Static website owners can grab the code here. WordPress users have access to several plugins that will get the job done.
As far as the social network site goes, just test it out. Get your feet wet. Take the tour. Read what people are saying about it. Give yourself a chance to formulate an opinion.
Who knows? It could be one of those things that blows over like Google Buzz. However, I think this one might have legs.
A Couple of G+ Social Tips
1) Make sure to complete your G+ profile and add a few posts. There’s nothing worse than a profile with no pictures and information about the person.
2) Tag a few people (type the plus sign and their name — +Lisa Irby, for example) and start a meaningful discussion in your stream.
In today’s world, success is all about the connections and relationships you make online. Most people aren’t going to be interested in networking with faceless folks who have empty profiles.
Weigh In
So what do you think of all this Google Plus noise? Are you jumping on the bandwagon or are you going to wait and see how this all plays out?
By the way, you can connect with me on Google Plus here.
In my opinion Google Plus rapidly taking place of FB and getting more popular.
In my opinion every site need time for making followers,even facebook took approx 7 years to get such large user.G+ needs improvement in its presentation, easy ways to share and manage users account.
I’m not sold on G+ yet and one of the reasons I know it’s not really catching on yet is that the social media management tools I’m working with have not integrated it into their software. I do use G+ peripherally; I have always been more into Twitter and FB and now into Guest blogging and other methods. I am not fully sold on G+ as a force yet.
I think although google+ is getting more popular day by day but it’s quite difficult to get followers through google+ as compared to facebook but according to popularity rate of google+ it will replace facebook one day.
In my opinion Google Plus rapidly taking place of FB and getting more popular.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve got to agree with Paris in her comment. There is some value in G+, but the FB like overshadows it. Granted, everything we do will help, but if time or outsourcing is an issue, work FB like and HubPages. Fit in G+ as a secondary task.
It is true that Google Pus has acquired 41 million users just in a month after its commercial launch. At first I was thrilled to use it. But now I don’t find anything interesting to stay around there. Am confused to decide either Facebook or Google Plus is better.
Thank you !! I got in Google+ about 6 months ago. I got a lot more “followers” on G+ in short amount of time than in a year on Twitter, although Twitter is my primary. Hi Lisa!
I did run a small experiment with G +1 on a couple of my sites, and I’m quite certain it can positively affect your rankings. If you stop getting +1s for your sites, however, the effect seems to disappear pretty quickly.
I was wondering if there were any Google Plus guides available. Telling you how to optimize it for SEO. It would defenitely buy such a guide!
Yes it’s fine and doing well for me. It’s a great social media tool. best thing about about it is that it does not charge you anything.
I don’t think G+ will have a huge effect on your rankings.
It would defenitely boost it but not as much as they say or other people are saying. You’re better off with FB when it comes to social marketing. The like button is far more powerful.
In the previous i get to study a blog that told us that link that we build from Google plus is dofollow link. Is that true ?
Until now i do participate in lot of webmaster forum but yet no one able to ensure that Google Plus will help in SEO. Everyone now is developing their Google Plus Page and which to get SEO benefit as well.
We use this on our website and I do not think it play a major role in SEO, at least not yet for us. People are using it though which is a good thing. Hopefully one day it increases PR.
I do have an account in Google plus. And I am sad that I only have I think 5 friends… Anyway, I hoping that they would going to defeat facebook’s record.
I pesonally dont believe the hype. Other SEO directions are clearly more effective. Stick to standard backlinks and practices. I also distorts searches which I dont think is a good place for the internet to head. My 2 cents.
i really hate google plus, from their privacy point of view.. the mobile app for android shared a pic that i made with my phone without asking me anything.. beware!
~alex
hi,
Its interesting to know about google+ there are more useful features in google+ thank you
It’s one of the few posts concerning the google +1 that I’ve actually taken the time to read. I will use the plugin link you provide (tx for that). My thoughts on the SEO aspect is that this will have a far more reaching aspect than google is prepared to admit, in fact I think google is simply “underplaying” the impact this will have. Time will tell.
Kinda new on the Google +,but i like playing the games.As for the SEO i can”t wait to see how that works out.
Hi Lisa! I think google plus is amazing but in my opinion its too complicated. It’s not really user friendly. I’m one of those few who was given an invitation to use google plus. 🙂 Most of my friends are there too.
Facebook will not be replaced anytime soon, but when word gets out that Google + offers a much better user experience then you will certainly see people jumping ship.
Nice article… We are adding our Google + today in hopes that Google does start using it as a way of making sites more popular.
From the article I am now sure that Google+ is the way to go especially for internet marketers, I really enjoy the feature about ”synching”, at least this will be much more efficient. I now have to add this to my Google personal account.
Hi Lisa,
I got in Google+ about 6 months ago. I liked it from the get-go but haven’t used it much. Thanks for the info on ‘syncing’ your websites. I didn’t even think of that before. This is my first time here and I am impressed. I will be returning here more often for the great information. Thanks for sharing!
I just wonder how many will notice the little +1 button.
Hi Lisa,
I am starting to like Google Plus now that I am starting to see the benefits. But, I really highly doubt that it will replace Facebook. Facebook still owns the Social community, so it will be hard for Google to compete.
For Me Google plus is waste of time as it don’t allow to create professional links for our products & all.
I think Google plus will be here to stay. By the way, I really enjoy your blog!
I think Google plus will be here to stay. By the way, I really enjoy your blog!