If you have any type of website on the internet and want people searching to be able to find you, you want to be using Google Plus. I know, we’ve all been hearing the talk. Google Plus is better than Facebook or Twiiter. And it is. Function Wise. You can tag people using the +name like +Joan Hayes and add Hashtags to make your posts more searchable like #chocolate #food #craft #google Whatever key words you want to add.
But sometimes seeing is believing. So I did a little testing today. I searched for my top post Cherry White Chocolate Pudding Cookies in Google.
This search was done on my computer so I went over to my Mom’s and got on her computer. She has never looked at my website, doesn’t do Google +, her computer is for playing solitaire.
Here’s what the same search looked like on her computer.
Still number one in the search, still has my photo with the post but no Google+ symbol next to the post.
So I played around a bit more. I searched for a few “less Popular” posts. The ones I hadn’t shared on Google Plus were way down in the searches. But then I found this and I got excited.
My Magic Turtle Bars, Number one in the search and I haven’t even completed typing in the search. The first 4 photos are mine, In fact, most of the first page was related in some way to my blog.
That first post is of course me posting a photo on G+ with the link in the comments and and good hashtags.
Do you see that second one, My friend +Jenny Melrose from The New York Melrose Family also shared my post on Google +. Google likes to put google + posts in the search engine.
Look at these Black and White Muffins from +Chef Dennis Littley
Google did the same thing with My Key Lime Pound Cake. My Google + Post and +Renee Dobbs also shared my cake on Google +, then finally, the post from my blog.
Hopefully this convinces you to get on Google Plus and get sharing. Need help getting started? How to get Started Using Google Plus, I wrote a post to help you.
Then after you’ve got your account set up, get your authorship! Authorship is what makes Google recognize you and link your G+ profile to your website. +Gareth Mark has written many helpful posts on Google+ and is also available through google plus to give additional help if you need it.
Just start doing a few searches on Google, see where your posts are popping up and see who else pops up. And while your doing that searching, you can listen to this Hangout I was privileged to do with +Chef Dennis Littley , +Gareth Mark and +Jenny Melrose, So much good information!
I’m sharing at some of these great parties.
Hari Chandana P says
Very helpful post.. thanks for sharing dear 🙂
Jenny Melrose says
Love it Joan! I recently did a search for St. Patricks Day desserts and one of the first things to pop up was a google+ post that I made sharing one of Shana’s desserts from Pineapples and Coconuts. The google+ post outranks the actual post, which some people don’t like, but they need to realize that the G+ post leads directly to the actual post. Facebook doesn’t do that. Great article! Thanks for sharing!
Natasha In Oz says
Fantastic post! I’ve been going on about this for a while now but your post is full of really good evidence! Will share on Google+ right now!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Aimee Shugarman says
Why do some people have the photo of their food still showing. For instance in your first example, maria’s cookies show, but so does her photo!
Joan Hayes says
Aimee, That’s one a lot of people are still trying to figure out, It may just be a matter of time for Google to update and make changes. I read an article from Joshua Berg the other day that talked about updating page rank and it may take a year for it to update. This may be something similar. I did just do a search of your Lemonade Fudge and the results were just like the ones above, right at the top!
Gareth Mark says
It’s really simple, actually. If you use recipe markup or a recipe plugin, there will be an image you have selected that appears in the recipe. That image may also appear in search results, along with rating information if you have that.
When you have established Google Authorship, your posts will appear in Google search results in one of four ways: 1) no pictures at all; 2) G+ Profile photo large thumbnail, possibly with rating info; 3) recipe photo, possibly with rating info; 4) recipe photo and G+ Profile photo tiny thumbnail, possible with rating info. Which is displayed depends on context.
Pam McFarland says
Joan…this is a great post. I not only shared it on Google+, but I also am trying to convince a few friends who aren’t yet on Google+ and are holding tight to Facebook to come over. So I shared your post on Facebook for them to read. I hope it makes them decide to give Google+ a try!!! I think it is definitely helping. I really appreciate the visuals and directions in this post, plus you included the hangout, which I thought was incredibly helpful for me.
Thanks,
Pam @ The Patriotic Pam
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
That was a great hangout Joan! And I’m starting to get better at sharing and commenting. I’ve started setting a time so I don’t lose myself, lol. 🙂 I’m liking it more and more.
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Dorothy! That’s what I do, 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes (sometimes more) at night for G+. I love all the interaction we get on G+.
Tammy Northrup says
Thanks for the great post Joan. This definitely has given me reason to consider changing my focus on social media.
Joan Hayes says
Tammy, don’t give up on your other social medias, they all have their place. Just make sure you’re putting your posts out there on G+ too!
Tracey Harrelson says
You’re awesome, Joan! I missed the hangout live … but I’m going to set aside some time to watch it next week. I appreciate all you do to help us all out!!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Tracey. I usually open up hangouts and put them in the background to listen to while I’m editing photos, multi-tasking!
Designed Decor says
You are so right! All the social media experts say you must be on google+. Great post!
Melissa Marro says
Joan – You are right about all of it and I’ve been trying to get my crafty and home stager friends to drag themselves over there. One of them just shared this article which is how I found you.
About that head and shoulder thing and why the results are different on your computer and your friend’s computer. Over on the right of the top of the google search, you’ll see a head and shoulders and a globe. The head and shoulders are personalized searches. The globe is non-personalized. In the personalized search it weighs information based on your connections and other google searches. Your posts will always be more important in the personalized search – so will those by people you know.
Under the globe is how others see the results when you search. This is helpful so you have a better idea what your real ranking for results is.
also, you may want to have another browser (like firefox) where you NEVER log into google to do your searches. That way it won’t know you are you and you’ll really be able to tell what others searchers are finding. After all, google still knows it’s you and your browsing history if you use the browser you always log in under, even on the globe.
Joan Hayes says
Melissa, thanks for all the great tips. I know I’ve only skimmed the tip of the iceberg on Google Plus but I was so excited I wanted to share what I’ve learned so far. Hopefully some of those crafters will “see the light” and start using G+. I know it’s opened up a whole new audience for me.
Melissa Marro says
Joan – You are welcome. I have been using G+ about 6 months and it has made a HUGE difference in my rankings in search engines – partially just because of things I’ve learned in the way of SEO. Like you, I’ve been excited to share what I learn. I write about it quite a bit on two different blogs…
https://stagingandredesign.com/category/business-blueprint/
https://melissamarro.com
BTW – I would love to connect with you on G+. here is my profile. https://plus.google.com/111282802440800353632/posts
Judy diyAddict says
Hi Joan,
Thank you for this valuable information. I am lovin G+. It is another way to bring in traffic to my site. it is easy to get in touch and connect with other bloggers.
Your new follower via pinterest and G+ and added you to my Feedly. I would like to invite you to our Linkin with my Ladies Blog Hop going on right now. I hope you could stop by and join the party.
See you.
Judy
https://www.pursuitoffunctionalhome.com/
https://www.kusinaniinday.blogspot.com/
Cindy Brickley says
Google+ is going away on July 1st. Everyone is already transferring to Bloglovin or another site. Just thought I would let you know.
Joan Hayes says
Hi Cindy, yes Google Reader is going away but Google Plus is here to stay.
Erin D. says
I have to be honest… I’m having a hard time liking Google+. 🙁 I can’t even put my finger on it. But one of the things I don’t like is this attitude that if someone adds you, you have to add them back. Why would I add someone I’m not the least bit interested in? I guess this exists in all social media type but it seems extreme at Google+. Or maybe I’m just making it up! That’s most definitely possible.
I’ll watch the Hangout! Thanks for posting that here. The Hangouts are usually when I’m sleeping (I’m 6-9 hours ahead of most of you) so I’m always happy to later find the video!
Joan Hayes says
Hey Erin, don’t give up on G+. The thing I’ve been finding is it’s not how many you follow or how many followers you have but just that you are using it. The most important thing is to make sure you have verified your authorship. That’s what will link your G+ profile to your web site. That’s what will start giving you the SEO juice that everyone is talking about.
As for following people. I don’t Circle everyone who circles me. In fact I don’t circle/follow most of them. Just like facebook fans, you’ll find many on G+ are just fans and don’t have something for you to “follow” .
I have set up a newbie circle. I’ve started putting people in this circle that might end up being someone I want to continue to follow. If I see them posting good content I’m interested in seeing it’s easy for me to move them to another circle. If they aren’t posting or posting junk, it’s easy for me to remove them all together.
Jessica McCoy says
Joan, thank you and the others so much for this very informative webcast. I’ve just started really diving in to Google + as I’ve been re-branding my blog and am excited to start using it. What I don’t understand is why I had authorship on my previous blog (AtHomeTake2.com) but when I re-branded (AllSheCooks.com), I seem to have lost my Google Authorship. Or I haven’t earned it for All She Cooks yet. Do you know how long it takes to gain Google Authorship and to have my picture show up in Google search results?
Again, thank you and I’m so very excited about everything I’ve learned. I put in a request to join Chef Dennis’ community, so I hope to be approved for that and learn even more.
Jessica McCoy says
Well, apparently I gained my authorship back since yesterday. 😉 So, forget the question about how long it takes. Thanks!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty says
Thanks for the tips! I use Google plus on a regular basis but have never heard of getting authorship! I’m on it right away!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty
Elise says
I have been putting off getting on Google +, but you’ve convinced me to get to it!
Swathi Iyer says
Great post, That is why I like Google plus
Angela Peters says
Hi Joan,
I have a question, all the posts you mention. Are you simply sharing those to your own page? Or sharing in communities as well?
I’m still trying to figure Google + out and I’m wondering how to make the best of it and I know some people who were sharing in different communities (the same post) & were getting Spam notifications from Google saying they were abusing it.
Thanks
Ange
Cake Duchess says
Really wonderful post you put together.You definitely make it obvious that they do help our sites in the search engines. Now I need to see your hangout!
Chef Dennis says
thanks so much for the kind words and including me in your post! Sorry I missed it when you posted it, I just got the ping back on it now.
Cheers
Dennis