Google Plus and its SEO effects

My take is that Google+ is not a new social network. We have an existing network already, G+ and Facebook are just tools we choose to use to connect, share with and expand our existing networks.

IMHO, Google just took the most important components of social interaction on the web (removing all the unnecessary things) and created this easy to use, simple tool such as G+. And for this I have immense respect for the team at Google.

Having G+ account helps from SEO standpoint in the following simple ways:

1. As a rule of thumb, if you want to have a close relationship with a search engine, use its products. G+ is Google’s product, so as Reader, Alterts, Gmail, etc. Having a G+ account ensures that Google has the most complete info about you, your brand, business. This helps Google understand who you are and rank higher for relevant searches.
2. With G+ you get a new search property that ranks high in Google because it’s G’s product. Therefore having a Google Plus profile helps your “branded search” too. Please note that currently your Google Profile redirects to your G+ Profile if you have one.

Currently my G+ profile does not rank #1 in Google for my branded search. But my assumpion is that it will. So, the recommendation is to ensure your Google+ profile is clean, informative and points people to all the right places (other things you control, i.e. your website or blog).

Here’s a few important things to get your Google Plus profile right for SEO.

• Description of your business (which helps Google understand you and you to rank higher for relevant terms). therefore ensure your description includes your keywords too.
• Link to your site / blog, etc. Every G+ profile has a list of related links to your brand / business. Each of those links lead to your other properties transfering a certain amount of “Google Juice”!
• Keeping your posts up to date and public ensures that your G+ profile produces content on regular basis. Google loves content.

Valuable update: Just noticed a good presentation on the subject of Google+ and its effects on SEO and wanted to share it with you. It’s a rather lengthy one but fun and provides good details.