Google+ quite recently launched a new feature called Google+ brand pages. This was quite similar to the Facebook pages. The feature also provided certain other perks to the companies as their profile could be searched directly from the Google search bar by adding a ‘+’ before the brand name. Also, the brands can use the Google+ brand badge, which can be put up at the main site to directly connect to the brand page.
Though these are still early days, these brand pages have already had some impact on the search engine’s result pages. Here is quick look at how companies have used these brand pages and how it has affected their internet marketing campaign.
Brands present on Google+
Brightedge recently conducted a research and found out that the number of companies present on Google+ through brand pages was 77 in December 2011 and this number has increased from 61 in November 2011. The number of people who add these brand pages circles has also been increasing considerable at the rate of 50% per month. As of December 2011, there were 222,000 people who had added at least a single brand to their pages.
The picture is a bit bleak when you compare it with Facebook but that is due to the fact that Google+ has not had enough time in the market. When all the top brands were compared on both Facebook and Google+ it was found that Facebook brands had 300 million fans, and the same brands on Google+ had 148,000 people who had added these brands to their circles. There were a few companies like Google, IBM, and Vodafone that were not present on Facebook but had their page on Google+.
Combining the social and search elements
When Facebook launched the Open Graph, its main aim was to combine sites, search and social networks. Google is trying to do the same thing by incorporating various features of its social networking platform into its other services. Many of the brands have realized that Google in fact may offer them something completely different in terms of internet marketing as it has control over internet search like no other company.
The impact is visible already, as a lot of Google+ brand pages have started coming up in the search engine result pages because of search engine optimization. One such example is T-mobile. This gives companies an extra incentive to join Google+ and spend more time on making the brand pages. The move also makes a lot of sense when you consider the fact that 34% of Facebook’s traffic comes from Google, Bing and Yahoo searches.
Legal aspects
Some people are of the opinion that by including the brand pages in search engines Google is acting a bit like Microsoft when they included Internet Explorer in Windows during the 90′s. In fact, two US senators have asked the Federal trade Commission (FTC) to carry out an investigation on Google as they believe the company is taking unfair advantage of the dominant position it has on the web today.
What are your thoughts on Google+ Brand Pages?
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Its too early to say what impact the google+ will have on the internet.
There have already been reports that the google panda benefited Youtube. So, who know’s how google will use its + feature.
It seems to me that a website with lots of google+’s may have an advantage in google search.
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As usual Google has figured out a way to continue to dominate the market. Can you blame them. Maybe we should rename the internet and call it “Google”.
Mr MakingUsmile
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Wel said. google is like getting popular for every one’s life from searching to social networking google plays an important role.
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Twitter: jwgaddis
says:
I have heard allot about using google + for business. One person I talked to even recommended you link your articles to your google + then to your squeeze page. I think we will learn allot more about google + in the near future.
Twitter: dannyintampa
says:
I think Google wants to rule the world! They have leverage with their search engine and they plan on using it to their advantage and most likely will succeed.
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I love both G+ and its brand pages. I don’t know the features offered by them or SEO aspects of them, but I am just too impressed by elegance of G+ pages.
Raj recently posted..Everything counts! – Using Every Available Resource to Get More Traffic.
This is just another thing google is coming out with. I watched a show about google yesterday on CNBC and it’s really quite scary how powerful this company is. For 18 months they save EVERY SINGLE search query you have on google. And this information is used by law enforcement everyday to prosecute north americans..crazy!
I think it’s a step in the right direction. I personally was on google + for a week or so before migrating purely back to facebook. It was the same for twitter. I was on twitter for a year and then decided it was no longer serving me. Loads of people still use twitter so I digress
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I like Google plus brand promotion pages. We can promote our business.
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Except for the little square icon that designates that it’s a Page rather than a Profile Google+ brand pages look very similar to Google+ Profiles. With this development, many businesses and brands in large numbers will join join Google’s social network.
Twitter: anthonymcneil
says:
Hey there Niles! Patrick thanks for sharing this. As someone who is a huge Google fan, I think that Google + will take off.
I recently wrote a blog post about the social/search aspect with plus. Personally I think it’s a great idea!
If I type in a search term and I’M LOGGED INTO GOOGLE, then those that have shared content about the contain the search term will show up in the search results.
Now when I see that person’s content listed, I more likely to click on it because it’s someone that I’m familiar with.
And now Google has added business pages and the create a hangout feature…. Plus is just getting started.
Later,
Anthony
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Twitter: sanjanbikram
says:
hope google + will remain constant not like a google buzz.
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Google+’s strategy is slowly but surely. It is focus and dedicated to be not just a Facebook clone but to win this game. It is just testing the waters right now but I believe that It will be like microsoft when xbox started vs sony’s playstation 2. Google+ is a sleeping giant so watch out Facebook.
Compare to facebook , Google+ is totally new. But the emergence of Google+ is very well. I am feeling very much satisfied while reading your post that Google+ launches Google+ brand page. Daily coming features proves that Google is the only king of Internet, no one can beat this.
I’m really looking for the day when google+ beats facebook in every aspect. Its another + for google+.
Ty for sharing…
I haven’t utilized google+ brand pages though for sure one way or another it will really affect search traffic of different brands who incorporate google brands to their businesses.
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I think google is offering a great product with Google+ and I hope it catches on.
Thanks to the author of this article for bringing the Google brand pages to our attention. They are obviously very new, and I am excited to explore what they are all about!
Twitter: heysingapore
says:
Google+ do have an impact on your search engine rankings the more + you have means google crawlers will love your content more and consider it more authentic or consider it recommendation from the users.
& Google is no doubt the King of the Search Engine and internet and they need to come up with different new concepts and techniques so that remains at the top.
Great post. I found this article really helpful. I like Google+ Business Pages. we can get more traffic on blog or website using google+ business.
I love the Google+ pages. I already had one of my own, and the other night I set up one for my husband’s tribute band. It was then I realised how much easier Google+ is to use and set up, than the Facebook pages.
I think Google+ pages are going to do just as well and maybe better than the facebook page, but only time will tell.
Weird how the FTC are looking into it.
Regards from Julieanne
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Twitter: _MandySwift_
says:
ooh, that will be an interesting debate, to see how Google is perceived in terms of grabbing an unfair monopoly.
Also good to see some of the early stats in terms of actual seo gains companies are seeing. Definitely a force to watch out for
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It is just a begining and G+ has to compete with bigh FB. Really it’s too early to say anything on this but it’s impact will be going to huge.
Twitter: whichtabletcomp
says:
I’ll be interested in see to row between tweeter and google goes. Looks as though Google will continue to introduce features to pervert the course of true SEO getting your site high rankings…
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Except for the little rectangle symbol that designates that it’s a Page rather than a Account Google+ company websites look very just like Google+ Information. With this progression, many companies and manufacturers in thousands will be a part of join Google’s public networking.
I think it is too early to try to decide whether Google is engaging in unfair practices with Google+. People need to wait and see what happens first.
Twitter: timsomers
says:
I have been on Google+ for a bit, but have yet to create a brand page…this post tells me I need to get on the “Brand” wagon asap.
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Thanks for sharing!
I have seen an informative site. You always like to add very informative stuff for your readers. This article is one of them. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.
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Twitter: ImAHotMom
says:
I’m not very active in Google+. I have a profile there, but not a page, yet. I’m guessing the Google+ brand pages would be the equivalent of the Facebook fan page or group? I’m more of a Facebook user than Google+ though I know I need to be building my page there as well.
Cherrie Bautista recently posted..Social Media Tip: Your Brand Is Not What You Say It Is… It’s What Google Says It Is
Twitter: devjosephite
says:
social networking sites(fb and twitter) have proven to be a great blogging tool. I have not used G+ so much but think that too will help a lot.
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This should correct itself. If Google were to abuse its market position and emphasize their own customers too much in the SERPS then people would start to use other search engines instead, and they would stop.
Did not know google did all that with brand pages, will definitely have to look into getting one
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Twitter: travelpapafly
says:
I like the both Google+ and its brand pages but I do not know the features of Google+ and its brandpages or SEO ways of them.
But i just love Google+ more and more.
At first, I thought that Google+ will make huge impact on the web, now I changed my mind – it seems Facebook’s snowball effect is unstoppable right now. Facebook will remain main social network in near future, imho… but Google is about to fight for that market and i think the main weapon here is integrating google+ to other services and especially search engine rankings, so I expect that the role of Google+ will rise as ranking factor for search engine ranking and this could make a huge impact on the web especially through seo intents of webmasters and things like that.
Twitter: opportplanet
says:
Hi Nile
Google is really hungry to get a bigger piece of the social media market pie, with the introduction of “Search Plus Your World” they even changed the way their own search engine works.
Now about Google+ Brand Pages if you consider just the SEO benefits it’s a must not only for businesses but for blogs too since it can really boost your exposure…
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I like Google plus brand promotion pages. We can promote our business.
Also good to see some of the early stats in terms of actual seo gains companies are seeing. Definitely a force to watch out for this blog….
http://www.findghar.com
Twitter: blogger_navin
says:
there is huge impact in SERP, g+ shares post even rank better then blog post some time.
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I personally was on google + for a week or so before migrating purely back to facebook. It was the same for twitter. I was on twitter for a year and then decided it was no longer serving me. Loads of people still use twitter so I digres
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Thanks for sharing this data with us.I like google+. but don’t know about its brand pages before…but after reading this i am with it…
Thanks for share……
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