Using “Google Social Search” as a marketing tool
Back in 2009, Google launched a service coined “Google Social Search”. Those Google Social Search results appeared on the bottom of Google’s first page. Google has recently updated this feature to show “Google Social Search” results mixed with organic search results. In other words, we will start seeing first page search results not just based on website relevancy but also based on postings from people in our own network of online friends – assuming you are logged in to your Google account. In addition to that, Google might also show you if a person in your network has publicly shared a link related to your search query.
Below is an example of a mixed search result showing a person in your network that has blogged about a related topic:
Below is an example of a mixed search result showing a person in your network who has shared a related article on Twitter:
How to take advantage of these recent Google updates?
Using Facebook and Twitter
This recent development goes to show us that Social Media Marketing is increasingly gaining importance. To take advantage of these recent developments, get in to the game of soliciting online social media interaction by setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts, attracting followers with a strong presence on those profiles and actively pushing relevant informative and interesting content to your followers.
Adding a blog to your website
Unlike static website pages, blogs are part of the social media environment and as such can help you take advantage of the ever increasing importance of Social Media Marketing. Blogs offer an easy and informal method of regularly communicating and interacting with your customers. Your blog post can now appear on “Google’s Social Search” results if the person who is searching is in your social media network.
Adding Social Media Sharing Buttons
Another great way to increase the likelihood that your products and services appear on “Google Social Search” is to set up Media Sharing Buttons like www.addthis.com on your website. Social Sharing Buttons make it easy for your visitors to share your content or products. With the event of “Google Social Search”, this sharing activity can now be seen on Google’s search results and help drive more traffic to your website.
More info on how Google Social Search works:
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