Early this year, Google and their new social media platform, Google+, brought searching on the Internet to a whole new level. With the help of Google+, Google has integrated social media within your Google search results. This gives you, and everyone on Google, a unique searching experience.
The new concept is called Social Search.
So, what is Google Social Search?
In summary, Google social search refers to the Google content that appears in your search results from your social media circle.
At length: Google uses algorithms to pull data from the web and compile it for you when you do a Google search. As a part of those algorithms, Google also pulls public content from your social circle (and extended social circle) to display in your search results.
Who is your Social Circle verses your Extended Social Circle?
The idea is similar to the difference between your immediate family and extended family.
Your Social Circle includes all of the people you follow (or that you are "friends" with) on your social media platforms.
Your Extended Social Circle includes all of the people that your "friends" are following, in addition to the people that you directly follow.
How does Google know your Social Circle?
Google knows your social circle and your extended social circle by looking at your public Google+ profile. It pulls the people you are following from all of the social media platforms you have listed there. Content from the people you are following on your social media platforms then shows up in your Google search results.
Creating a Google+ profile is the same thing as publicly declaring that you are okay with the world knowing all of the information you've included in the profile.
The Good with the Bad -
Google social search can feel a bit scary in two ways. First, if you are sharing content on your social media platforms that which you DON'T want the world to have access, you will want to stop. Second, trying to conduct an un-biased search may now feel problematic. (A search where the results are not based on your social media friends.)
To remedy the first issue, you need to go into your social media platforms and take down any information you don’t want shared publicly. (I hope that at this point, you have already taken precautions strictly personal information on the web!) Or, at the very least, privatize the content that you don't want shared publicly. Google only shares your PUBLIC content and posts.
To Remedy the second issue of an in-biased search, simply LOG-OUT of Google+ and your gmail account. If you are completely logged out of Google+ and your gmail account, "social search" will NOT be apart of your search results. You can then conduct an un-biased search.
However, Google social search is not all bad. In fact, if you are an entrepreneur, it can be an amazing tool. My next blog post will share 5 ways you can improve your businesses visibility and traffic with Social search.
About Kim
I feel like we are going to see more and more social influence on our search results. If you search in Bing/Yahoo, the same thing happens with info from Facebook. "So in so user liked this page." etc.
I totally agree, Scott!
Another thing you can do besides logging out is open another browser to do your search. I will be doing this more.
WOW! Now my head is spinning! LOL! So much great information, Kim! I've bookmarked this article and will go to my Google+ and follow your instructions. Thank you!!
Lots of information here, Kim. Thanks for sharing.
I love reading your articles Kim! Thank you so much for sharing your tips with us. Great post with a lot of useful information.
Thanks Anastasiya!
Just when I think I can relax the "all powers that be" come up with another new, innovative way to make this baby-boomer continue to learn. Thanks for the heads up on Google + social search Kim. Not quite sure what I would do without your expertise guiding the way girl!
Can't wait to learn more about this! I'm glad someone is keeping up with the waterfall of changes rushing past my brain!
Kim What a great article, I am just getting my feet wet with Google + and this is something I am going to bookmark as I get to know how to do more, Thank you for writing such informative articles.
Christy, glad to know this was helpful
Google+ would take off when they implemented it into their search product, but this is a bit over the top. Stick to what you’re good at Google.. No need to strong arm your way onto the social bandwagon.
More incredible usable and valuable info Kim! Printing this one for later reference!! Thanks!
Great information here Kim! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
I had no clue Google was doing that! Thanks for sharing!
My head is spinning! I'll have to re -read this one for sure…bookmarked!