Google+ and its effects on SERPs
-
Hi all,
With the recent launch of Google+ I've looked into the possible effects of +1'ing sites and whether or not it has a direct effect on other people with whom I'm connected within Google+.
So far I cannot see any direct correlation, however I running a bigger/wider experiement with more people to get a definitive answer.
What does scare me as an SEO, is that Google+ users will (most likely) use Google search whilst they are logged in, which, as we know personalises results based on a myriad of suspected metrics such as previous visits, personal +1, etc...
How is this going to effect the SEO world if/when a Google+ attracts more users.
Experienced this first hand when a client called me to congratulate a jump from position 9 on Google to first position over the weekend, which when I checked, the website hadn't shifted, the client was logged into her Google account due to the fact she had been playing with plus.
Thoughts?
Cheers
Aran
-
I'm talking about having the +1 button on pages of your website - e.g. product pages (info here). If there have been a number of people +1 a particular product then that may help the position of that page organically - I think even if you aren't signed in.
You wouldn't +1 at the SERP stage if you haven't been on the site but your friends might have done which could input into it.
All guesses though
-
Agreed CCA.
I don't get +1's on SERPs, when your google something and you get the SERPs you generally haven't visited the sites before, so why would you +1 at that point?
-
Aran,
I think that it will have some sort of an affect on the SERP (by considering your different circles) when being logged in to Google.
But also, http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1152948 shows that the +1 button at least has some impact on rankings and therefore we should all adopt it - I'm not sure it will ever be as popular as a like button, but, who knows!
-
I've conducted an experiment with several friends in my 'Friends' Circle within Google+
To start I +1'd a clients site whilst signed in to Google. Then I Signed out and went on to tweet the URL for another clients website and finally facebook shared yet another clients website (within another industry)
I asked my friends to +1, tweet and FB share a URL which I gave them.
Now when signed into Google the +1'd website (normally at 9th in Google) is now ranked 3rd with a note under the SERP telling me my firend +1'd the site. The website which received the Tweets is now 9th on Google, it is normally 12th when not signed in. Also a note appeared under the serp saying my friend had Tweeted the URL.
The page that received the facebook shares didn't change in position!
All the people concerned all follow each other on twitter, belong to the same circle on Google+ and are friends on Facebook.
Not a very well set up or executed experiement, I made it up as I went along and put into practise within 5 minutes of conceiving the idea. But interesting results all the same.
If Google+ takes off and people adopt the trend of staying logged into Google when searching, Social Metrics are going to have a huge impact on traditional SEO.
Now all we need is someone to setup a 'proper' experiement.
-
oh, you missed off Android and the efforts to takeover the mobile OS market!
Kowtow to Google.
-
Agreed, the number of personalised searches will increase if Google+ catches on. Is this the beginning of the end for SEO?
-
Google has crossed all the lines from being a pure search engine, to being the source of data. There are many people who, if you ask them, would tell you that Google has no data related to them personally. Most are quite mistaken. If a human uses a pc, Google is going to have tons of data available unless the person makes a very specific effort to avoid Google's services.
Gmail, Spreadsheets, Analytics, Desktop, Adwords, YouTube, Google +, WiFi, Chrome browser, translator, picasa photos, Google maps and I am sure there are a dozen other Google apps. Many of these services are independently very highly rated. YouTube alone is the #3 website in the world.
It really brings to reality the phrase "It's Google's world. We are just living in it." They are poised to further widen the chasm between themselves and the next closest competitor. Clearly they will leverage these resources to a greater extent in time.
-
I think that personalized search is making it much more difficult to get sales from customers who have an established history with your competitor. The introduction of Google+ will most likely increase the number of searches that are personalized.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Google Pus Places, page and youtube issues. PLEASE HELP!!!
Ok I have a youtube channel, a page connected to that and I have a business listing but I cannot get all three to work together. Any ideas? https://plus.google.com/+CentralsaddleryCoUk is the page (I want to ad the location to this one) http://www.youtube.com/user/centralsaddleryvideo our youtube The two above seem to work fine but the local listing below will not connect to the page or youtube. https://plus.google.com/b/107598085314018001171/107598085314018001171/about?hl=en-GB This has been driving me nuts for ages.
Social Media | | mark_baird0 -
Makeoverfor our Facebook page titles! question about open graph and Google
Hello, We have two Facebook pages for our company, one in English and one in Arabic. A few weeks ago we wanted to change the Facebook page titles but this option was not allowed for both pages. Now Facebook is giving us an option to change the title for both pages: We had a lengthy discussion regarding the best way to name our Facebook pages. Currently our Facebook pages titles are: For the one in English: "X" ( X - our brand name in English*) For the page in Arabic: "X - Arabic" ( X- our brand name in English*) We agreed to change the title for the page in English to: X - (The main 3 keywords in our brand's field in English) ( X - our brand name in English).* for the Arabic page we suggested to change the title to: X - (The main 3 keywords in our company field in Arabic)** ( X - our brand name in English).* **** We will translate the main 3 keywords to Arabic** We have a few questions: - How does the search work in Facebook? Does the open graph algorithm take into account the page's content and/or its title and description? - Is there any preferred way to name the Facebook pages? We were debating using the company's slogans versus the main keywords for our brand. ? Or should the title contain just the brand name? - What components of the Facebook page title and URL affect our page's visibility in Google for a search on our brand name? It's important to mention that Google currently does not show the Arabic page in the 1st page in Google. Thank you in advance for your help!
Social Media | | JonsonSwartz0 -
Finding authoritative sources on Google+ - is there a tool?
I'm looking for a way to find authoritative sources on Google+ on certain subjects. I define an authoritative source as someone who is in a lot of people's circles, and the content they curate gets shared, +1, and commented a lot. The subjects are variable, but for an example: What's the best way to find authoritative sources on Google+ on the subject of auto technology. Does anyone know of a tool that can do this?
Social Media | | reidsteven75
If you can't recommend a tool, how would you approach this?0 -
Whats more beneficial - Google+1 on your website or Your Google+ Page
Hi From an SEO perspective what is the most beneficial getting +1 of your homepage or trying to get customers to click on your actual Google+ Page - or are they linked in some way? As the importance that Google are/will place on this cannot be ignored My concerns regarding Google+ are that I believe in the UK at least, most active consumers are not on Google+ (not sure what its like in the USA) many may not even have a google account, especially of their email is with the likes of hotmail or aol. The people who are using Google+ are other companies, web pros,marketing pros etc and not your target audience in many cases
Social Media | | ocelot0 -
Google+. Good for all businesses?
Hi guys, My question/discussion is regarding Google+ and whether or not I should advocate creating an account for one of the websites I work in-house for. This particular website focuses on unlock codes for mobile phones and isn't a service that consumers would really want to connect with - which is what Google+ appears to be a vehicle for. It is a one off purchase website, and not something people will use regularly. On the face of it Google+ offers very little for a company that operates in this fashion and makes most sense for B2B businesses. I feel that by potentially creating a Google+ presence we are in fact attempting to manipulate the search rankings because it isn't a networking site that makes sense for our business and there is actually very little real reason for us to get involved with it. I don't think Google would penalise any business for getting involved in their product, but we would only be using it to benefit our ranking position. Surely that is against everything Google themselves stand for? Also, what real benefits have you guys got out of using Google+? If I am to create a presence there, this is the ammo I'll need to use to convince my manager with. Thanks a lot.
Social Media | | purpleindigo0 -
Should the Google Plus button be sitewide?
Hi All, We are in the process of adding a Google Plus button to our site (to the header, sitewide) - at http://www.jewelleryoutlet.com.au/ My question is, should the button have behavioural characteristics that apply to the whole site, or only for that page that it is clicked on. Consider these scenarios: A customer clicks on the G+ button from the homepage - they then 'like' that page (our homepage, i.e. our site) A customer clicks on the G+ button from a category page - e.g. http://www.jewelleryoutlet.com.au/cheap-necklaces-s/1818.htm. Because the button is in the header and sitewide, should the customer be 'liking' http://www.jewelleryoutlet.com.au/ or http://www.jewelleryoutlet.com.au/cheap-necklaces-s/1818.htm? We are also adding a Google + button to the item template, e.g. on http://www.jewelleryoutlet.com.au/product-p/jn1003.htmsomewhere above the Add to Cart button. When they press the button in this instance, they are 'liking' only that page (which is how I would want the functionality to work). So my question is to do with point 2 above. Much like a Facebook 'like/fan count' type button that exists in the header of many sites, should the G+ button function the same way? E.g. if we have a count of 10 in the header on the homepage, then there is also a count of 10 sitewide? Or should this reset for every subsequent page that a customer lands on, and by pressing the G+ button on that page, they are 'liking' only that page. Which is better for SEO? Several different +1's to different pages (e.g. from the necklaces, bracelets and earrings category pages for a more natural structure) or several +1's all pointing to the homepage? Any help or suggestions regarding G+ button or the service in general would be much appreciated. Thanks
Social Media | | bradkrussell0 -
Google plus, Twitter and Facebook link - does it help?
Hello, I was wondering, does it help if I publish a link to a new page on my website on my Facebook-, Google + and Twitter-Account - even if noone reposts it? Thanks Polyniki
Social Media | | polyniki0 -
Google +1 and Facebook
Is it possible to add a link to Google +1 on Facebook to encourage people to click it?
Social Media | | PMC-3120870