Google+ - Is it worth it?

[AAttias]

I've been looking at putting some of my companies on Google+ but I've just done some quick research and it doesn't seem like many of our competitors or even any in our industry is on there.

I have heard that by having a Google+ presence it will help your organic search ranking. However, I'm not sure how true this is.

Is it worth setting up a Google+ page if it's likely that you're not going to get much activity on it?

[GeorgeAndrews]

Hi Brian, yes indeed it is worth it. But don't just take our word for it, take the word of many others in the industry:

Use it to increase traffic: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/google-author-photos. I built my profile for this express purpose. Authorship is important too and you need a Google+ profile to hook things together. Danny Sullivan provides examples where Google+ is pushed over the other social networks.

How to take advantage of Google+: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-seo.

There are too many reasons to do it and not one reason not to (IMO).

[MagicDude4Eva]

I would engage with your user base on as many (feasible) social channels as possible. Depending on your user demographics (and products you offer), you might find that Pinterest works in some instances better due to the largely female audience.

It is really difficult to get Google+ engagement but your audience is more loyal than Facebook.

[DeanAndrews]

Hi Brian

I think if you read your question again "I've just done some quick research and it doesn't seem like many of our competitors or even any in our industry is on there." why would you not go for it? Zag whilst everyone else is zigging.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi Brian,

Yes, Google+ is a bit of a must if for no other reason than to share a bit of your website content and get Google seeing you on the radar more readily.

It can most definitely help your results in the SERPs. Do a search and see photos of people next to their articles / pages, and this is Google+ and Authorship at work.

Depending on how you view it, very much a necessary evil that is only going to continue to grow in importance to any SEO you plan on doing.

Something for you to try - search for "Links Google want to see" and you will see my article at the top of the page. This took less than 2 hours to start to appear in the SERPs.

Not too shabby by any standards

Andy