8 Changes to Google+ That Can Affect Your Marketing Efforts

Just like any social network, Google+ is always changing its features and improving its user experience. Unfortunately for marketers, these changes mean added work, as we try to keep up with the best ways to use social media to interact with customers and clients.

In social media, however, change is inevitable – but you can get a quick handle on the recent Google+ changes simply by reading this article. In it, I’ll share the eight major changes on Google+ and how you can leverage them to boost your marketing efforts.

1.  Switch between Page Admin and Personal Account with ease.

This feature is great for marketers who like to keep up with both their business’s page and their own personal Google+ profile. When you click on your icon, a drop-down will appear with all the pages you manage. Or, you can use the navigation ribbon on the left of the screen to access your pages.

2.  Use the new top navigation to customize which pages you see.

Now you can add your two most important circles to the top navigation to keep tabs on your most loyal customers, newest prospects, or whomever else you choose. Adding your favorite circles is easy with a drag-and-drop feature you use from the left-hand navigation ribbon.

3.  Promote your page on the right-hand sidebar.

Now Google+ is recommending pages that users might want to check out in a space on the right-hand sidebar. While the exact nature of the algorithm used to determine this is unclear, the pages seem to be related to those followed by your circles. By building up your followers, you increase the chances your business will be featured here – which is basically like getting free advertising on Google+.

4.  Now you can easily see who is engaging with your page.

When you click on the +1 or Share icons of any post, an “activity drawer” opens to show you a thumbnail image and name of everyone who has shared that post in some way. This feature comes with a built-in incentive to +1 and share more since doing so means your name and image will be seen more.

5.  You can create better photo albums and videos.

Sharing photos and videos of your products and events adds interest to your page. Now, images are larger and full-bleed, meaning there are no borders. Use photos and videos to show the employees behind your company, to share PowerPoint or SlideShare presentations, or to share recorded hangout sessions (see below).

6.  Try out the new Hangouts Page.

This feature gives you yet another way to build community and communicate with your network. Hangouts are on the left-hand navigation and highlight live YouTube video chats others can join. You can see what’s being talked about, get feedback, and make pitches by joining relevant chats.

7.  Use the Trending Topics and Explore sections.

Now Trending Topics appear on the right-hand sidebar of people’s homepage so you can keep your eye on them. If you post about topics that are trending, you could get more visibility for your business in its new, more prominent location. Be sure to note that Google+ does not feature “Trending on Google+” on the home screen when you’re logged in as a page, so you’ll need to click on the “Explore” icon to see what people are talking about.

8.  The Header Image and Profile Photo have new features.

Now you can grab users’ attention with improved versions of these images. Your profile image is in a prominent space in the top right corner, and there’s more space for your photo strip. You can even change your photo strip layout to feature one large image – similar to Facebook – or keep the old five-photo scrapbook layout.

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Now that you’re aware of the newest changes to Google+, you can proceed with your social media marketing efforts with confidence. Be sure to check the Grow Smart Business blog often for all the latest social media updates.

Image courtesy of frombogotawithlove.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 9:00 am and is filed under Marketing, Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.


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