OK, so Google has begun rolling out this new tool which pulls in data from your Google account when you make a search for information in Google…
Rather then show the same ten companies for every person, if you’re logged into your Google account, it will start to show results from your social circles. As this has just started, Google has seemingly given greater exposure to its own services such as Google+.
This has seriously angered Facebook and Twitter especially as their sites get less exposure. It has also led some people to complain about privacy with Google using its expansive data collections to highlight individuals with something they believe is relevant to the initial search.
However, Google says nothing will be shown unless your privacy settings allow it to be shown. What we’re more interested in though is how this affects your business getting found in Google.
And one thing that is becoming even more important is building your social circles, and with the way it stands right now, this means Google+, with Facebook and Twitter coming in quick succession.
With Google pulling data from your social accounts, for search queries, it’s important to have your customers and prospects joining you in Google+. Just like a year ago, everyone was clamoring for Facebook likes, it’s now important to show the benefits of Google+ to your community.
When you like someone you add them to your ‘Circles’. And the difference with ‘Circles’ is that you can categorise them however you want, and then target each segment respectively. So you may have ‘friends’, ‘family’, ‘colleagues’, ‘prospects’ and ‘customers’ and then share relevant information to each segment.
By building friends in your Google+ account you have a greater likelihood to show up when people within your community are searching for products and services you provide. And when they see you, they already know and like you so are much more likely to buy from you.
Google has tried and failed before with Google Wave and Google Buzz, however Google+ has been taken up by over 26,000,000 accounts and counting across the globe, it’s here to stay.
Any questions – get in touch with Ingram at GoldSand Digital – email info@goldsanddigital.com.