13 Reasons Why You Should Join, or Get More Active on, Google+

I recently began getting more involved on Google+, Google’s social network, and have found many reasons to continue building my presence there.  I’ve found at least 13 reasons why you should start “circling” people and getting active on Google+.   Well, actually 12. I am saving #13 for you, so after reading reasons 1-12 please comment and let me know why else you think you should join or increase your presence on Google+.

A special thank you to my Google+ pals Bill Slawski, Bill Sebald, and AJ Kohn for the insights they provided in my drafting this article.

Disclosure: I do not work for Google and am providing my own opinions based on my social activity and observations.

Top 13 Reasons You Should Get Active on Google+

1) Google will index the posts you share giving you more visibility in search

Google+ shares are appearing on the first page of the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).  This will give you more visibility in search.

I have already started adding people to my circles because I’ve noticed their mugs in the SERPs.  Not only did I land on pieces of content people have shared (and I was looking for), but this has allowed me to expand my circles.

Not every status update will land on page one, but Google just might have a vested interest in promoting both the content you share and their new social network, so share away!

See Example Below:

Someone's Google+ Status on Page One

I have a friend A.J. Kohn, who owns, Five Year Blind an SEO/Internet Marketing firm in San Francisco.  I see him all over the SERPs as a result of his Google+ shares.  He recently told me that more search engine visibility was a biggie for anyone looking to get involved in Google Plus.

2) The social platform is still new, so you can connect more easily with experts

My SEO friend, Bill Slawski, owner of SEO by the Sea, mentioned recently that Google+ can help you connect and interact with people whom you might not have interacted with otherwise.

In one of Bill’s recent Google + threads, he began discussing how Google (the search engine) handles synonyms.  He included a couple of people who work for Google in the conversation, and one of them decided to join the conversation!

I remember when Twitter used to be this way (moment of nostalgia).

3) You can have your Google+ profile picture next to your content indicating you’ve authored something (AKA rel=author)

Google supports the ability for you to connect your Google+ profile with the content you author.  This has been supported for a while, but not everyone in non-tech industries knows this.  If you follow the guidelines in the Google Webmaster tools help forum, you can start seeing your picture in the SERPs.

See annotated image below:

Google Plus Mug By Your Content

4) Improved Click Through Rate for your Content CTR (spin off of #3)

If you associate a piece of content with someone’s photo, then chances are you will click on that link as opposed to one without a picture.  Have you noticed this yet?  Look above.  I added the gentleman above to my circles from the SERPs and clicked on his blog article to read more.

Get your rel=author on (see reason #3) and let Google showcase your photo by your content.  Rel=author equals more visibility for you and your piece of the web.

5) Carve a little place of authority in your niche/industry

Again, because Google+ is still young, depending on your niche, you can be one of the pioneers that add value in your industry.  Just get started.

6) Google is tracking how often your content is being plus one’d

Simply visit your Google Webmaster Tools account and you’ll notice that Google is telling you how often your content is being plus one’d over the last few weeks.  Over time, this could help improve your rankings the more people plus one it.  Only time will tell how much this will matter.

7) Connect more quickly with others because it’s a new social network you will connect faster

Generally, you can make quicker connections, as Google+ is still an infant.   There will be less Plus Ones than there are “likes” right now.  The more you plus one others’ content the more visible you become in others’ worlds.  As in any social network, you need to engage people in conversation.

8 ) Google Plus is here to stay, so you might as well join the party

Yup, it is looking like Google+ is a formidable competitor to Facebook, and is here to stay, so why not get involved before Google+ grows even bigger?

9) Build your brand authority on Google

Google Plus recently launched pages, and this provides an opportunity for you to build your brand on Google.  Kristi Hines wrote a good how to SEO your Google+ pages and profile article.

10) Google Plus Ripples

A very cool feature on Google+ is Google Plus Ripples.  It allows you to see the people who share other people’s content (and how this spreads) in a cool diagram that looks like water ripples.  Casey Hen wrote a great article on SEOmoz detailing how to connect with influencers using Google + ripples.

11) Your picture remains in your visitors SERPs telling them you’ve plus oned something

Once someone has added you to a circle, when they conduct their search queries on Google, and if you’ve plused oned something they’re looking for, they will see your mug, again.   The more they see you, the more they remember you for the content you share, and the more top of mind you stay.

This can translate to future business, referrals, or even someone in your circles seeing you as the expert in your industry.

12) Easy to get your Plus One on via Mobile

I’ve got an Android and find that I can easily get my Plus one on when I walk the dog or am “chilling” and not on my laptop.

13) This Spot is For you

What other reasons do you think someone might want to join Google+? Comment below, and I’ll make your answer #13.

And finally, go ahead and add me to your Google+ SEO/Social Circles if you haven’t already.

About The Author

Dali Burgado, also known as "The Dali Blogger" teaches creative entrepreneurs how to carve a web presence that connects with their Inner Guru and their target audience. Her first online marketing love is SEO. She's an avid connector on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. When she's not coaching or teaching, she's tweaking sites for Search Engine Visibility, working on her PHP and Javascript coding skills, Singing Opera, or learning about gardening. Circle Dali on Google+