How to use Google+ to improve your search traffic

When Google Plus was launched a year and a half ago, it set in motion a multitude of changes to the search landscape. From this point forward, getting traffic from the famed search engine is no longer about the number of backlinks you have.A personal element was added to the search. The problem most small […]

3 ways to leverage Google+ for increased search traffic

First, start connecting with your target market on Google+. Add them to your circles. An easy way to do this is add shared circles from other Google+ users. You would be surprised at the number of users who have hundreds of people in their circle, and can provide you with access to their circle for free.

All you have to do is add the circle to your list of circles. A great resource to find shared circles is Public Circles.

Second, join relevant Google+ Communities. If you want to find the best prospects for your business, you might want to consider joining Google+ Communities. If you have ever participated in a forum or Facebook group, you can easily use a Google+ community.

Third, add your name to Google Authorship. One of the things that Google is starting to do to help bloggers increase their personal search relevance is to start tracking Google Authorship. Google Authorship links content you write on certain sites to notify Google of your status as an author on a particular site. If you blog on multiple sites you can increase your authorship, and in essence carry your Google reputation across the search spectrum.

While this idea is still in the early phases, you will start seeing this concept mentioned more and more as the idea takes hold with bloggers, and Google tracks bloggers across multiple blogs more efficiently.

Google+ has turned the tables on how search traffic worked. The great thing about this is that it provides a tremendous opportunity for those willing to work Google+ for additional search traffic.

Have you seen an increase in traffic via Google+? Have Google overstepped the mark by forcing bloggers to register with Google+? Let us know in the comments.

Featured image/thumbnail, circles image via Shutterstock.