NMX: Google+

I have to admit I was surprised to hear so much talk about Google+ at The New Media Expo (NMX) last week. It goes to show you that Google always has soemthing up its sleeve. I, and many others, are taking G+ at face value. Time to start paying more attention!  Here are my notes from Amanda Blain’s G+ presentation:

Google+ Facts

• Google + 500 million users
• 135 million active social
• All G+ posts are indexed and searchable so your content can “live” a lot longer
• People who circle you will see your content in searches first.

We need to stop thinking of G+ as a social network or a push marketing tool. It is about sharing interests and binding all of Google’s tools together.

Some ways companies are using G+

• Travel companies give virtual tours with Hangouts
• Live Cooking Shows
• Groups cooking a meal together
• Communities (just launched)

Google Authorship

• Google’s attempt to stop your content from being reported from sites you are not affiliated with and to stop aggressive link building. Don’t want a site linking to your content that reflects poorly on you.
• Must go by your real name, have a byline.
• Click rates will increase with authorship – your content will be trusted and preferred by Google searches.
• Only 10% of technology blogs have set up their authorship.