Last week, I shared an article entitled So…What is Google+ Social Search?. Essentially, it is a way to tie in the Google+ platform and use it to provide a unique and social search experience. Now that we KNOW that Google is using Google+ to influence our search results, how do we leverage this to our advantage?
5 Ways To Leverage Google Social Search To Your Business Advantage
1. Get or Update Your Google+ Profile
This is where Google pulls all of the information it wants for a social search. Thus, it is imperative that the content here be up to date. A good first impression is key.
Also, as mentioned earlier, pay attention to what you are sharing publicly and what you are keeping private.
2. Only Post Appropriate Content
This helps gain visibility and traffic in two ways. First, the more relevant and content based your social media posts are, the more search results you will show up in. Likewise, include keyword phrases whenever you can so that your posts will show up in your followers search results!
Second, demonstrating the knowledge you possess within your niche builds your know, like and trust factor. Visitors will frequent your site because they can identify with you.
3. Upload Photos of your business, yourself, and (if applicable) your location to Picasa
Picasa is Google’s photo album program. If you choose to publicly share photos via Picasa, then those pictures will come up in social search results.
Picture Tip – Use keyword phrases to name the images on your computer. If the Keyword phrase is apart of the image name and URL, then the image will rank more highly in Google.
4. Put your Business on Google Maps
If you own a local business, get it put on Google Maps. When followers add local keyword phrases to their searches, your business will show up. To get started, visit: http://maps.google.com and click on the phrase “Put your business on Google maps”.
5. Conduct Social Searches Yourself
When you are logged into your Google account, conduct a Google search on a topic within your niche. Your own social search results will top the page. These are the people that Google believes to be most relevant from your social circle.
Click on them to find out what they’ve posted. Then go to that post, blog or video and leave a relevant, helpful comment. It is a great way to connect with others in your market in a meaningful way. Likewise, if that same thread shows up in someone else’s social search, they will also see your comment. This further increases your visibility and traffic.
What about you?
How do you use social search to improve your traffic and visibility?
Which tip from above are you going to implement this week?
About Kim
Great Points! very helpful as usual – thanks Kim! great job!
Your tips are truly helpful, Kim. Big thanks to you!.
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I am definitely going to implement tip 4 and the rest I will do as well! Thanks Kim It's always great to come to your website to find valuable information!!
I'm definitely doing the Picasa thing Kim, thanks! Perfect timing on this article as I'm really focusing on Google+ and how to get maximum benefit from it. It's my favorite social site! As for how I'm using social search now, I've made sure that I claimed ownership of my blog through the rel=author feature so that I'll look even better and have even more reach in the search results.
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These are great tips Kim! I see Google+ having a huge impact in the next few years.
Great advice Kim!
Google+ is next on my list to tackle.!
Wonderful Tips Kim I'll be sure to try some of these things! You are the Best.. I need to get with my Google plus and attack!
Great Tips As Always Kim Thanks For the advice and I'll be sure to do these. I need to attack my google plus page!
These are great tips. I'm still learning about Google + so the more info the better!
Thanks
Great conetnet Kim.. I'll use these ideas to round up a crew on google in my nice ! Great idea!
I didn't pay too much attention to Google+ and Picasa, but that is about to change thanks to you, Kim!
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Thanks. One thing I had not done is the Google Map. It is now a done thing! :)
Fair observations Kim! Skipping the social media presence when developing your business strategy is a sure recipe of failure. And while many people have begun to understand its importance, a lot of them still think that it's important to become visible even when you only post craps. So it's not just the presence, but also the quality of what you have to say.
So agree, Michelle!
Interesting and insightful post! There's so much work to be done w.r.t. SEO. and as owner of a jewelry design biz I feel I that I am the one to do the work. It doesn't make sense to hire someone who does not know my business. Any thoughts? http://www.danykacollection.com
I think there are many who could help you with the SEO for your site. I would immediately recommend Tara and Christine at http://www.seocontentsolutions.com.
Penguin 1.1 is up on google, hope everyone's aware of this. And the local search which can be found in google.com. And have you guys checked google+? The local search button is there, now everything written here is very applicable to the update and I'll definitely go for tips 1 and 4.
and by the way, As I analyze things up, I think google is using google+ for a much better search result. (I may still be wrong with this tho)
I get good search results from Google+ as well. Thanks for dropping by, Kim!
Thanks kim, those TiP$ were essential! THANK YOU, Once Again!!!!!
Great tips. Very informative and thank you for this post.
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Thanks for stopping by!
Hello Kim,
Hopefully you know me since you use CommentLuv Premium and it has the GrowMap anti-spambot plugin built into it. I often use images from related content to feature and send visitors to other blogs. Ideally I know the blogger and can get their permission first; however, i have yet to have a CommentLuv blogger object. Since there could always be a first time, I wanted to let you know I featured this post in a post on DIRJournal so if you prefer that I not just let me know and I will replace the image and remove the link.
I consider this a great way for bloggers to promote each other, but I recognize that there are a few who do not agree with me. Please do let me know either way. A regular tweet to @GrowMap works well or you could message on Skype if you use it. I'm the only growmap on Skype.
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Fantastic tips Kim! I’m so glad I’m already using G+ but I’m so excited about the Picasa tip.
I already have an account there and, obviously, need to use it more. Dyane
Awesome to hear that you got a specific tip to run with!