Google+ Changes: What it means for your business
Google+ is like Tupac Shakur–alive or dead? Who knows? Speculation continues to grow about what will happen with Google Plus. The recent changes with Google+ has businesses questioning how they should approach social media, and wondering, “How will this affect my social media marketing strategy?”
Google Announcement
On July 27, 2015, Google officially announced they are making changes to their social platform, Google+, and users can expect to see these changes slowly roll out over the next few months.
What To Expect
In the upcoming months, you’ll no longer need a Google+ account to use Google’s services. This announcement has been welcomed by the masses on social media. Google has also promised a more focused Google+ experience.
Google+ will place a stronger emphasis on interest-based communities who use the platform to share news and comments. Google Plus’s new “Collections” feature will let people group their posts by topic and follow topics rather than just other users. You could think of this like a mini-Pinterest.
They will also move some features that are not interest-based out of Google+. For example, many elements of Google+ Photos have been moved into the new Google Photos app, and they will be placing location sharing into Hangouts and other apps in the upcoming months.
Google+ vs. Local Google Business Listings
To answer the question, “How will these changes affect my social media marketing strategy?” For now, Google+ will live on for business and will continue to be a vital piece of your SEO strategy. Your Google+ Local Business listings are not going away. In fact, having a local G+ Business page will become more important as mobile search increases and local listings are the target. Consider who you are trying to reach, potential customers will search for hours, reviews, location and contact information, so it’s important to keep listings updated and fully optimized.
Get ahead of the curve
Part of a healthy social media strategy is diversification, rebalance your social portfolio. Like every other online platform, G+ is about building relationships, identifying brand advocates, and engaging in conversation in order to convert potential customers into loyal customers. Making those connections will prove valuable, no matter what social platform comes and goes. G+ is not dead… yet. Continue to engage your customers on multiple social platforms. This is a good opportunity to explore growth on other social platforms, such as Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram. Keep a constant eye on the KPIs you’ve set for your social goals, and when something stops working, it’s time to refresh the strategy and tactics.
If you have questions about your local business listing, or would like a free SEO analysis, please contact us at 800.351.9081.
Raquelle, I sincerely hope G+ won’t become dead as I find it valuable for a number of reasons. With that being said I also would love to see changes made. For instance, when replying with a comment it is not possible to attach a photo. I never understood why this is… This is particularly an issue in the situation where there is ongoing discussion and people want or need to include screenshots. You made a great point on getting ahead of the curve with Instagram as I read the other day on another blog that Instagram has supposedly surpassed Twitter already…
First of all, your opening sentence is hilarious. Secondly, it’s always fun to keep up with the changes of social platforms.
The way I have to come see it is that if you are getting value and enjoy using a certain social media platform, then you might as well keep using it. I know a lot of people who really enjoy G+ and the community of people it draws, and then I know people who don’t enjoy G+ but thrive in Linked or Twitter which is great. Having a G+ company profile will always be a benefit for the SEO, map listing locations etc. but it is up to you if you feel you love networking on their platform. I think it’s a great platform for a lot of things, and I’m sure it will always have its place.
– Thanks for the insights!
Mark,
I agree with you! Google+ has worked very well for many of the companies that I actively manage. We will be watching the changes closely, and hoping that they get it right! I also believe in the power of Instagram! In fact, earlier this week I read several fun facts about Instagram. Did you know 95% percent of Instagram users are under the age of 35 and as of 9/20/15 they reported having over 300 million active monthly users? The problem is most small business owners do not know how to make this platform perform for their business. I have a blog in the works that will hopefully help point them in the right direction.
I’ve personally never figured G+ out to really know how it’s supposed to work or be of benefit. Besides for using my G+ account to login to other social media and online software accounts, it just never made much sense to me. Maybe its just me, but like Twitter, I just don’t really grasp the nature of its purpose. I’m sure it serves for something. Platforms like Facebook, and Instagram was so much easier and flows better.