Google Plus is slowly working its way into our lives. Despite our trying to ignore this social network as much as possible, Google has started making big changes to give us little to no choice. On Youtube.com you now post as your Google + personality when commenting on videos. This brought outrage as you can read about here. The comments on youtube.com now go to your Google + page also, in Google’s attempt to build their social network and more ad revenue.
In the small business arena, there is an even more profound change. They moved ALL of Google Places business listings into Google +. This is a big, big move. All the listings that were on Google Maps (and you control them by Google Places), they moved to Google +. Now you have a business listing on Google + very similar to how on Facebook you have your own account then a business page. Can’t have a business page without an account and legit person managing it.
This to me says Google is STRONGLY encouraging us to take Google + seriously in the future.
I am not one to doubt Google or not take their messages seriously; this is a BIG DEAL.
Here is an example of a Google + listing that we optimized about two months ago. Notice the clear jump in impressions and actions when the listing was updated.
Optimizing a Google + page includes activities such as:
- Determining if the best physical location with a phone number was chosen. If not, request another PIN from Google for another location.
- Adding keywords in the title and description.
- Adding appropriate photos with keywords. Updating photos is important if the original ones haven’t been changed in a long time.
- Choosing appropriate categories to be found on Google Maps. Note the primary category has the most weight and should be chosen carefully.
- Encouraging past clients or customers to submit a review, but be careful not to solicit reviews.