Courtesy of Google
Google+ is more than a social media platform; it can also be a useful tool in increasing your search rankings. The first link posted onto a Google+ page provides link equity to the website that is being shared. This is called a DoFollow link. DoFollow links make up a key portion of SEO rankings and they work with PageRank, link context, and others to decide your rank under certain keywords. By taking advantage of these links you can boost your SEO rankings.
The first step is to optimize the information on the company’s Google+ page as well as the company ambassador’s personal page. The business page should be named after the business without any extra keywords. By keeping it professional and simple, you are creating a solid foundation for SEO. The URL of the page can now also be customized. Click “About” on the profile or page, then click on your Google+ link under “Links”, and convert to a new custom URL.
The SEO meta-description can also be optimized. It is 160 characters and is made up of the tagline and first two sentences of the introduction. To change these, click on “Manage This Page”, then on “Edit Page” in the section with the page name, and then click on “Edit in the Story”. Including a few keywords in these sections will also help increase your ranking
Google+ authorship is another element of SEO. By setting up authorship, all of your content is tagged and ties your work to your profile. If your email address matches your domain, authorship can be set up easily by entering your email address in the Google+ Authorship page. Otherwise, a link to your Google+ profile will need to be included in the bio of any websites you write for. Once information is connected to verified profiles, the content will be ranked higher.
The content that is being posted to your profile or page is the most efficient way to establish a following on Google+. Posts should be concise; a simple summary is all that is necessary. Posting the link through Link Attachment instead of in the summary box adds the advantage of a DoFollow link. Once you have a summary and link, share the post with any circles you think may enjoy it. You can also email any circles your update, but many people will consider this spammy and will likely unfollow you so be weary of this option.
Tracking content is the final step in order to view the results of your optimization. It helps you compare ranking improvements and SEO increases with +1s and other signals. Setting up custom URLs for all of your Google+ links is a simple way to track your efforts. This can be done by using Google URL Builder and completing the form.
Simply optimizing your page, sharing quality content, and tracking the results can help boost your SEO making Google+ a powerful tool. It is an important factor in rankings so it is essential to keep up with its features and changes.