Google +: A Key to "Social Search" Success?

Have you seen the recent Google+ commercials? Although the idea of a social networking site having a commercial at all is a bit odd, I have to say that I love them! They clearly demonstrate the features of Google+ in a way that tugs on your heartstrings. These commercials and the overall rollout of Google+ have proven to be somewhat controversial. Many people feel that Google+ is being jammed down their throats and debate whether there is enough engagement on the site.

While I certainly agree that these are valuable concerns, I also acknowledge that there are a number of benefits to using Google+ and reasons why companies may want to keep an eye on it. The main reason is search rankings and Google+ is making it impossible for the SEO savvy business owner to ignore this fact. Not surprisingly, it's suggested that Google gives content on Google+ favorable positioning on its search engine. So, by using Google+, firms may be able to strengthen their search presence through participation on the network by sharing their own content and engaging with others’ content.

In addition to this information, I attended a session at a social networking conference (Social Slam) in April about the concept of Social Search. The bottom line? In the future search engine optimization will take into consideration individuals’ participation on social networking sites. "Likes," "+1s," and "Pins" will start to affect the search engine results. Considering this, doesn’t it make sense to engage on the one social networking site that is also a search engine?

Hopefully, this evidence is enough to convince you of why you might want to consider using this site, but you may still be wondering about how to get started? Below, we have provided a brief overview of Google+ and its features to help you get started.

Are you using Google+? Do you think it’s here to stay? I would love to hear your input and experiences!