Search Plus Your World
As reported on Blogspot, CNN, and elsewhere, Google announced on Tuesday that they were making a dramatic change in their search algorithm by adding contextual content from social media platforms (especially Google+ and Picasa) into the search results. I will leave it to others to explain the nuances, while I will point out the obstacles, and opportunities, cow confronting niche marketers.
Google feels that the inclusion on social media content will provide a richer experience for the user, and I agree with them. However, with the inclusion of such content, your previous SEO efforts will have to be re-examined. If your site was currently ranked in the top 5 of Google’s Page 1, you will likely be bumped down a few spaces. If you were ranked near the bottom of Page 1, you’ll likely now be residing somewhere on Page 2. The reason is that Google is now adding additional search results which will compete with your page ranking.
Fortunately, the solution should be straight forward for those who are aware of this change.
First, if you don’t already have one, set-up a Google+ account. While you’re at it, create a business page as well. With some analysts predicting a membership roster of 400 million by the end of this year, you’ll want to be actively posting quality content on Google+ anyway.
This is a good time to start thinking about increasing the size and scope of your circles as well. The more people you are following, and who are following you, on Google+, the better you’ll be positioned in the revamped search engine results.
Second, if you haven’t already done so, establish a Picasa account and start populating it with keyword optimized photos. Google has indicated that Picassa will be weighted in their new search rankings, so now is the time to get busy with a Picasa account.
Third, encourage your friends and followers from other social media platforms to join you on Google+, and comment on your photos over at Picasa.
Finally, review your on-page SEO efforts for title tags, keyword relevancy and density, and image alt tags. Despite the changes that Google is unveiling, these on-page factors are still important.
Being proactive with the above steps will help preserve your search engine rankings. Let me know what’s working for you and if you’ve noticed any changes in your search engine rankings as a result of Google’s latest changes. Feel free to leave me a comment below.
Related articles
- What Marketers Need to Know about Google Search Plus (greatfinds.icrossing.com)
- Google Launch “Search plus Your World” (carocomarketing.com)
- Google’s Biggest Social Search Update Yet Features Google+ Content (hubspot.com)
