Is There Real SEO Value in Using Google+?

The unequivocal answer is yes, there is SEO value in using Google+ for your business. 

How so?

Your Google+ activity, both profile and your own +1’s are shown in Google search results that others, who have circled you see. If you circle others, you see their +1 updates and Google+ profiles in your search results. This activity expands your reach but only if you are using Google+ in a maximized way. Plus your Google+ personal profile page actually has organic PageRank. 

What do you mean by maximized way?

To just post Google+ updates is simply not enough to get the SEO and Social Juice that Google+ can bring. It is more about connection and interaction than it is about just spewing out content. I recommend participation in Google+ Communities and for power users creation of Google+ Communities with themselves as moderators as one of the best ways to maximize Google+ exposure. 

Google+ Communities Give You Extra Exposure

When you participate in or own and moderate a Google+ Community, you reach a wider circle of individuals interested in knowing more about and in sharing information on your key topics. I’ve found just due to the nature of interaction, strong follower/followed connections occur with Communities. It is not unusual for a Community to grow quickly with many (but not all) of the Community participants choosing to follow your personal profile. 

Each time you post to your own Community, Google posts your update to your own Google+ personal page as well. In a short period of time using a Google+ Community on a topic that is closely aligned to your business you can build a nice follower base. Remember each of these new followers will then in turn see your Google +1’s in their search results as well as your personal profile and articles linked to your author profile. 

Use Your Google+ Personal Profile

Although I have Google+ Business Pages, the real action and exchange right now as well as the SEO and social value is all tied to your personal profile. This may change over time, but for now a Business page profile cannot moderate a Community. Equally it is hard to circle others using a business profile. Additionally Google is really focused on the individual profile when it comes to the information shared using the personal profile using rel=author. Possibly over time Google may change this strategy, but for now, understand that you need to leverage your personal profile to get the real “juice”.

We invite you to learn more about our services and Google+ by visiting our website today.