Why Should SEOs Care about Google+?

It’s easy for a lot of Internet users to write off Google+: it’s another social platform for sharing in a world in which we already have plenty of ways to share. We have Facebook for pictures of our dogs; Twitter for news; LinkedIn for networking; Instagram for more pictures of our dogs and Vine, Pinterest, and other platforms making a play to gather more users. 

With over 500 million registered users, why aren’t more people actually actively using Google+? It’s no secret that Google+ consistently falls short in terms of active usage, especially compared to its main competitor Facebook. According to Gigya blogger Victor White, Google+ only accounts to two percent of social sharing when compared to other major sharing platforms.

But, come on, it’s Google. Google makes the rules when it comes to all things Internet, so here’s the real question: should you play by its rules and get active on Google+, or continue to exclude yourself from the game by justifying your meaningful contributions on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn?

Google+, built for SEO

The popular Moz post “Amazing Correlation Between Google +1s and Higher Search Rankings” caused a major controversy with its revelation that, after Page Authority, Google +1s are more highly correlated with search rankings than any other factor. While correlation does not necessitate causation, can Google+ activity actually help increase page rank?

Google Webspam team head Matt Cutts was quick to deny that +1s are used directly in Google’s algorithm. While this may be true, mounting evidence does suggest that Google+ posts surpass other social platforms in terms of SEO benefits. Put simply, if someone who follows you on Google+ sees a post or a link to your website in Google search results, they can +1 that post and your search rankings can go up as a result.

So, if a link on Google+ could potentially be judged equivalent to any other type of editorial link, why aren’t we using it?

There are often rumblings of Google+ chasing our other favored social platforms for user attention. Ryan Holmes, HootSuite CEO says as much in his post “Why Google+ Is Sneaking up on Facebook,” he also admits that of Google+’s 500 million registered users, only 135 million of them are active users. As Google+ attempts to gain precedence as the source for all things content distribution, why aren’t individuals and brands leveraging their accounts?

Convince me to care about Google+

The most obvious reason to use Google+, if you don’t already, is that it’s integrated into every Google service. Just let thank sink in: Google+ is connected to Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, AdWords, Blogger, and Google Search. If that’s not enough evidence for you, according to BL Ochman of Social Media Today, Google cofounder Larry Page spelled it out for us when he said that “if you ignore Google+, Google Search will ignore you.”

So, how is the leader in user intelligence not the leader in user experience?

This is what continues to stump the Internet world. We chase Google day in and day out, creating content to maximize the most recent Google algorithm updates; yet, Google+ continues to stump us. In January of 2012, Google+ account registration became mandatory for new users to Google services such as Gmail or Blogger. This would account for the huge number of accounts, but the shockingly low amount of engagement. Furthermore, Google+ being compared to Facebook is an underdog competition for Google+.

But, ultimately, Cutts says:

“If you make compelling content, people will link to it, like it, share it on Facebook, +1 it, etc. But that doesn’t mean that Google is using those signals in our ranking. Rather than chasing +1s of content, your time is much better spent making great content.”

There’s no way to know how +1s affect search results; however, +1s are a vote of confidence for online content. Forget about causation or direct impact though. A vote of confidence on Google+ has got to mean something. All signs point to Google+ as beneficial; yet, I personally can’t pinpoint the practical use of it – what need does it feel that isn’t already filled by our other social media platforms and is there a concrete advantage to playing by Google’s rules even on Google+?

For the other side of the Google+ argument, look for Lindsey Paholski’s post next week about applications of Google+ and how to make the most of the platform.

How to Improve Your Google Ranking

Following last year’s Google Hummingbird update, along with the saturation of the market and Google pushing their organic search results further down the page in favor of their paid listings, it is becoming increasingly difficult to be noticed online without paying Google for the privilege. These tips may not make your website the first one to appear in the list, but they just may help your Google ranking  move up a little.

No matter what you do to improve your Google ranking, make sure you make a site that you want to visit. If you’re gaming the system, sooner or later Google, like Facebook, will figure it out and change their formula. You’ll end up plummeting in the top Google search results and wonder why.

6 Tips to Improve your Google Ranking

Unique and Relevant Content

Quality content is the number one driver of your Google ranking and there is no substitute for great content. Quality content created specifically for your intended user increases site traffic, which improves your site’s authority and relevance. Never sacrifice good writing for SEO. The best pages are written for the user, not for the search engine. Regularly updated content is viewed as one of the best indicators of a site’s relevancy, so be sure to keep it fresh.  

Tag your content and media

Make sure that your site is optimized for the search engines and that all meta tags and robot tags are constructed properly. These tags are not visible on your web page but Google looks for this title tag and it’s one of the most important on page elements for Google. If you have been placing images on your website without bothering to place ALT tags, now is a good time to add them. An “ALT tag” is just a way of putting a brief description of what your picture shows. 

Redirect your URLs

Often website owners don’t realize that are seen as different pages by search engines. This can result in any links that you receive being diluted between the two pages. The solution to this common problem is to tell Google that you want all the links and clicks from  to be counted towards. This can be easily implemented by using a permanent 30 redirect link from one pages to the other.

Push Social, especially Google+

In the “post hummingbird” Google search world, social referrals are now counted as indicators of “content quality”, but not as internal links. The only exception for this is Google+, the foundation layer for all of Google ranking going forward. If you share content out on Google + and people indicate they like it by clicking on the Google + button this will help with Google ranking of content. So if you don’t have you +1 button intergraded to your site yet, be sure to add it.

Comment on Relevant Sites:

Commenting on forums relevant to your industry is crucial. Commenting and adding a link back to your content on forum posts and blogs is a great way to increase links to your web site, and is a great way to drive some new viewers to your web site. Users who over-indulge in self-promotion will be perceived as spammers which may result in your efforts to be simply ignored, or, even worse, your website being added to blacklists.

Build Links with Bookmark and Directory Sites

As we all know, one of the factors that contribute to a page’s Google ranking is the number of links pointing to that page. One way to increase the number of quality links to your site is by submitting it to as many social bookmark sites that you like. Also, submit your site to as many directories as you can, especially to those with high page rank like DMOZ or yahoo directory or to any smaller directory with lower page rank.

 Want to learn more about SEO and website management? Be sure to follow Infolinks  on Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Why you must focus on google plus infographic

When it comes to SEO, a lot of people, even professional webmasters and optimizers, sometimes undermine the importance of how Google+ can work for them. The combination of Google Plus and SEO is often superseded by other social media marketing platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

But those who are in the know agree that Google+, irrespective of the low adoption rate when it comes to being an online marketing platform, matters to search engine optimization.

And here’s why:

1.       Obtain link authority: When you share a link on Google+, it passes link authority to that page. This is something that is unique to Google+ and does not happen when sharing links on any other social media channel. Google, in order to combat spam, has had a stringent “nofollow” policy for links in the text of a post but links that get shared on the Google+ page are exempt of this clause. Building link authority is a major aspect of optimization and using Google+ as a medium to do so makes it that little bit easier to achieve that goal.

2.       Road to better rankings: While Google hasn’t openly confirmed this but sharing posts and being active on your Google+ page does seem to have a correlation with better overall rankings. Speculation is rife that, if not actively at the moment but as Google Plus’ clout increases as a social networking platform, the algorithms from the pages will be integrated into search engines. In that sense, it is good practice for the future.

3.       Free Branding Features: Considering the amount of money you have to pay to get an ad featured on Google’s search result, the fact that knowledge graphs use brand logo, company information as well as the latest shared post from Google+, gives you the opportunity to have a readymade billboard. That too for free. The only thing you need to do is share relevant content regularly on your Google+ page.

4.       Quicker access to your content: One of the biggest advantages of sharing content on Google+ is the fact that it facilitates the quick discovery of what you have shared. For agencies, Google+ SEO should be part of all SEO packages because the search crawlers at Google actually use Google+ as the first point of reference when they are looking to discover new content. Within a very short time frame of sharing, the content comes under the radar of the bots. This quick-indexing process is vey worthy and helps site-owners beta competition effectively.

5.       Future: While Google+ is essentially still trying to gain a solid foothold in the online marketing, it won’t be long before the dent gets bigger. With constant improvement and constructive changes, Google is looking to go from strength to strength with this platform and given the future, it makes complete sense to join the bandwagon early and get a solid start as soon as possible. After that, it is just a matter of growing with the network.

While at the current given point, Google+ might not be priority when it comes to a marketing platform, it also is not correct to ignore it completely. The idea is be aware and consistently evolve to make the most of whatever opportunities it has on offer.

You first month on GOOGLE Plus

You first month on GOOGLE+

To Begin… Arriving in Google+ is like setting up your home in a new, exciting metropolis. The thing is…to get yourself known, you will to go out and meet the neighbors. They’ve been having a street party for quite a while now!

So, you could have the best health tips, give sound business advice, be the most brilliant author or even make the best cupcakes, but they don’t know you’ve arrived yet.

·         Your Profile

·         Profile/Page/Website

·         Find People to Whom You Relate

·         Your Profile

Set up your profile with a clear headshot and attractive image as the ‘cover photo’ if you want your image to be associated with your content in Google search.

·         Profile/Pages/Website

Link your website to your Google+ Profile and add some Google+ badges. Don’t rush to set up a page unless you’re a company. People tend to relate best to ‘profiles’ when they are new.

·         Find People to Whom You Relate

As Such, use a hashtag to search for people with similar interests (e.g. # Health # Science # SEO # Expert). Add those people into your circles.

Add in whole Circle

Search for hashtag and ‘circle’ e.g. ‘# Science Circle’ and add those – if people relate to your profile it is quite possible many people will add you back.

Engage

Then go and +1, comment and share those people’s content when you relate to it. But don’t just share, add you own commentary and views about the content in the box above. Tip: If you are adding in lots of circles then you can ‘hide who you have in circle’ as it may look a little unbalanced until more people add you back.

Join Communities

Check out communities you find interesting and focus on commenting instead of posting your own contents.

Watch Events and Make Comments

As well as seeing great content, these are often excellent social occasions and you can meet some new people in the meet some new people in the live comments.

Use Hangouts

Hangouts really help you to connect with people on Google+ and working in teams. If you are not using them then you are really missing out!

Thing to Avoid:

Just like a party, just be social – don’t run around handing out your business cards. As such, best not to ask people to share your content or beg people to add you to circles. Don’t check ‘notify by email’ and +mentioning every time are posting –  this will trend to get a ‘reaction’ from old hands on Google+ and many people get muted or blocked before they got going.

Site and tools you need to know:

·         Circlecount.com – Great for seeing stats on engagement, who has added you into circle and much more.

·         Circloscope.com – This help you do things such as ‘uncircleuncirclers’ i.e. people who don’t circle you back.

Google+ is a Friendly Place

As such, let people know you are ‘new here’ – people are friendly and will usually assist. From there you feel part of the global party that keep on getting better. 

5+ Reason your Business should be on Google+

Images Courtesy to Social Clinch & digital information world 

No doubt, Google+ is the most important social network for both business and markets and as such is something you need to embrace now if you haven’t already done so.

·         Get Face-To-Face With Customers

·         Get Found Across Google

·         Make Social Accountable

·         Google Communities

·         Growing Steadily

GET FACE-TO-FACE WITH CUSTOMERS

Whenever your followers are, Google+ brings them together and helps you talk with them, via 10 way video calls in hangouts. You can stream and record conversations for playback later using Hangout on air.

GET FOUND ACROSS GOOGLE

When your customer search on google, the results to the right may include relevant post, photos, and videos from your Google+ page. Get found across Google, right when your customers are most interested.

MAKE SOCIAL ACCOUNTABLE

Social Media is all about number. Google+ offers in depth data +1, Conversion reporting, and more showing how Google+ contributors to your bottom line.

Google Communities

Google+ communities are places for people to get together and talk about the interests they share. You can join an existing community or create a new one.

Growing Steadily

1.116 Billion Total number of Accounts

540 Million monthly active users

Why you must focus on google plus infographic

When it comes to SEO, a lot of people, even professional webmasters and optimizers, sometimes undermine the importance of how Google+ can work for them. The combination of Google Plus and SEO is often superseded by other social media marketing platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

But those who are in the know agree that Google+, irrespective of the low adoption rate when it comes to being an online marketing platform, matters to search engine optimization.

And here’s why:

1.       Obtain link authority: When you share a link on Google+, it passes link authority to that page. This is something that is unique to Google+ and does not happen when sharing links on any other social media channel. Google, in order to combat spam, has had a stringent “no-follow” policy for links in the text of a post but links that get shared on the Google+ page are exempt of this clause. Building link authority is a major aspect of optimization and using Google+ as a medium to do so makes it that little bit easier to achieve that goal.

2.       Road to better rankings: While Google hasn’t openly confirmed this but sharing posts and being active on your Google+ page does seem to have a correlation with better overall rankings. Speculation is rife that, if not actively at the moment but as Google Plus’ clout increases as a social networking platform, the algorithms from the pages will be integrated into search engines. In that sense, it is good practice for the future.

3.       Free Branding Features: Considering the amount of money you have to pay to get an ad featured on Google’s search result, the fact that knowledge graphs use brand logo, company information as well as the latest shared post from Google+, gives you the opportunity to have a readymade billboard. That too for free. The only thing you need to do is share relevant content regularly on your Google+ page.

4.       Quicker access to your content: One of the biggest advantages of sharing content on Google+ is the fact that it facilitates the quick discovery of what you have shared. For agencies, Google+ SEO should be part of all SEO packages because the search crawlers at Google actually use Google+ as the first point of reference when they are looking to discover new content. Within a very short time frame of sharing, the content comes under the radar of the bots. This quick-indexing process is very worthy and helps site-owners beta competition effectively.

5.       Future: While Google+ is essentially still trying to gain a solid foothold in the online marketing, it won’t be long before the dent gets bigger. With constant improvement and constructive changes, Google is looking to go from strength to strength with this platform and given the future, it makes complete sense to join the bandwagon early and get a solid start as soon as possible. After that, it is just a matter of growing with the network.

While at the current given point, Google+ might not be priority when it comes to a marketing platform, it also is not correct to ignore it completely. The idea is be aware and consistently evolve to make the most of whatever opportunities it has on offer.