Staying Active on Google+ for Business (with minimal work)

Your business is still not on Google+. Or maybe you have a profile, but you don't know what to do with it. Let's review why this channel is still worth your time and what you can do to take advantage of its benefits (with minimal time commitment). 

There was some speculation regarding whether or not Google+ would survive – especially as the platform separated from YouTube and the like in early 2015. However, when a tech giant like Google believes in this channel (as we can see with their continual investments) we marketers are taking it back into consideration. 

Why Google+ Matters 

You know those little "+1's" on Google+? As in someone has actually liked a post you put up? They matter more to your SEO than you may have guessed. 

In fact, "Google +1s have the single highest correlation with Google search ranking" – higher than Facebook, Twitter, or any of those other social media accounts you obsess over. Another study shows that after page authority, a site's "number of Google +1s is more highly correlated with search rankings than any other factor.” 

Although shares on other social media networks matter as well, they aren't as evident – in fact, "Google’s ability to extract data from those sites might be limited" so it's harder for it to pull in search results from social accounts besides Google+.

What's the bare minimum you can do to take advantage of Google+?

• Optimize your page: 
  • Incorporate your company name in your business profile page title
  • Make sure your company name is within your URL – follow Social Media Examiner's directions here: 
    • "Go to your page or profile and click About.
    • Scroll down to the Links box. You’ll see your existing Google+ page URL.
    • Click on the link and Google+ asks you if you want to convert to a new custom Google+ page URL."
  • Use a SEO Meta Description. Social Media Examiner directs us: 
    • Click the Manage This Page button at the top of the page.
    • Click Edit Page on the section with your page name on it.
    • Click Edit in the Story section on the next page.
    • Make your changes and click Save."
  • Include authorship: Google includes this in a ranking factor for your page – it helps Google know you created your content. Social Media Examiner points to two possbilities: 
    • If you have an email address that matches your domain (i.e., john@yourURL.com), you can go to the Google+ Authorship page and simply enter your email address to complete the process.
    • If you don’t have an email address that matches your domain, then you’ll have to include a Google+ link to your profile in the author bio of any site you write for. You’ll use this format: <a href=“[profile_url]?rel=author”>Google</a>"
• Post!
  • Every time you write a blog, post it on Google+. Include a brief summary, link, hashtags and photo if possible. Here's an awesome post by Moz Blog with details on the best posts. 
•  Create circles
  • Add people and ask them to add you. As you post, you can add specific people to notify, so if you're diligent with this you can better target your audience

Positive changes to Google+ to Note 

• This last month, Google hired the founder of 4chan, Chris Poole, which may contribute to some major shifts. He helped build 4chan's following to 20 million active users. Read more in Mashable's article. 
• They implemented Collections and Communities, providing a space for sharing content in several different categories. 

• As stated by Google+ Ambassador Denis Labelle, Google+ is all about passions. "If your marketing is geared towards passionate people, you will find great ways to connect with them in the new Google+" – Social Media Examiner.

For more help with your social media channels and optimization, contact our team at ArcStone.