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.
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
-
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 -
Problems with Google Analytics social tracking
Hi folks, Any GA experts out there available to help with a social tracking problem we've got? In short a client is using a ShareThis plugin, but the data we're seeing in GA doesn't correlate at all with the share counts showing on the plugin. Huge discrepancies in fact. Could do with someone taking a look at the page and seeing what part of the tracking code we need to update/fix. We'll make it worth your while. Please PM me if you can help. Thanks! Matt.
Social Media | | MattBarker0 -
Share This Count Vs Google Analytics - Why the difference?
We use the Share This facebook & twitter widgets on blog posts. Share this auto tags it in Google Analytics so we can see share count with in the analytics interface. Viewing the blog post I see the share counts as a lot higher than google analytics reports. Does anyone know why the count would be different?
Social Media | | Jeff_Lucas0 -
Does adding your google plus page help stop scrapping
I have created a site that has 100 percent original content in my business category. I have written over 100 articles myself that not only to help me rank, but most important to help the use find the right anwser to their search. I didn't farm out not one sentence of any of the content. With that said how do I prevent others from scrapping my site for this info and using it as their own. 1. Is there something to add to each page code wise that will lead them back to my site. 2. Does using the google plus help this situation in that google thinks it's yours and treats the others as duplicate content. 3. I dont mind placing this info on other sites as long as the readers know its mine. Sorry to ask such a noob question but I have spent all my time on the content and really know nothing about the coding side of things. Any help would be great. thanks
Social Media | | JasonRae1 -
How much of an impact does Google+ page age have?
Do Google+ pages gain authority with age? Does it matter very much if I wait a few months to make a Google+ page as opposed to establishing it now, even if I won't be doing much work on it for a while?
Social Media | | HCGDiet0 -
Google+ Ranking Factors - Are Keywords meaningless ?
Hello Mozers! On the Conversation Marketing blog, Ian Lurie published a lengthy article called Google Plus Box Ranking Factors Report. In it, he claimed amongst other things, that "Keyword relevance of your posts: Totally meaningless. Write whatever you want. Seriously. Just make it good." What say you? Are keywords really meaningless? Thanks in advance!
Social Media | | ShivaS1 -
What effect does Google Plus Business Pages have on SEO?
It looks like Google is putting a definite emphasis on social signals, through Google+ anyway. Has anyone tested the effect of social circles on SEO yet? Same effects as the "magical +1 button?" +1 on shifting your time and resources to Social Media?
Social Media | | 10JQKAs0 -
Google Plus 1 Button
Aside from your blog would anyonme here think about adding the Google Plus 1 Button to their website?
Social Media | | GrouchyKids0