Given its impact on Google search , it's been hard for marketers to ignore Google+ as a social media player. That being said, the social network still left something to be desired. Am I right?
Well it looks like Google+ is changing for the better, with The Next Web reporting that Google+ Business Pages now have the ability to interact with all Google+ users, regardless of whether users have added the business page to one of their Circles. Further more, Google has also indicated that a new Google+ analytics platform is on its way, slated to be launched "in the coming weeks."
Let's dive into what these changes mean for the social media marketer ...
Google+ Enables More Engagement Opportunities for Business Pages
Prior to this Google+ update, business pages weren't able to +1, share, or comment on posts from users unless those users had already added the page to one of their Circles. With this restriction eliminated, Google+ Business Pages will now have the ability to interact and engage with any and all Google+ users, opening up more engagement opportunities for marketers, and possibly increasing the chances that users will add businesses pages to their Circles.
While there has been no official announcement from Google on this new update, the folks over at The Next Web tested it out for themselves with success.
For marketers trying to expand their reach and generate more leads from Google+ , more opportunities to interact and engage with users who aren't already following them is sure to be a powerful new feature. For example, if we at HubSpot noticed that a user was posting about looking for help figuring out how to improve their on-page SEO, we could now pipe in and offer a link to our on-page SEO template .
Google to Launch Dedicated Google+ Analytics Tool
While Google+ has remained quiet about its first update, the social network has officially indicated that Google+ analytics is coming soon, as documented on its Google+ for business "Measure" page :
Once Google+'s analytics tool is available, page administrators will have access to data such as which users are interacting with their page (and how), the demographics of those users, and information about users' social activities including +1's, shares, and comments.
Say it with me, marketers: "It's about time."
While we'll have to wait and see just how robust these analytics will be, for marketers who should always be analyzing their social media activities, anything is always better than nothing. Coupled with their closed-loop marketing analytics , marketers should have much greater insight into how effective their Google+ efforts are, and be able to drill down into the individual types of content and updates that resonate (and what doesn't) with their Google+ audiences.
Are you looking forward to having access to dedicated Google+ analytics? How will you leverage the new ability to interact with all Google+ users?
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Israel Garcia 12:25 PM on December 28, 2012
It was time to take a little google is serious about their social network because facebook was becoming difficult competition.
Good article, thanks.
Meghan Sullivan 12:54 PM on December 28, 2012
Interesting post, Pamela! And very timely - I just published a post on the Kuno Creative blog this morning, discussing why Google+ can't be ignored any longer. I'd definitely add these new features to that list.
Thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Meghan
Pamela Vaughan 12:55 PM on December 28, 2012
Glad I could call your attention to the tip, Meghan!
wade 1:01 PM on December 28, 2012
Is it really a dedicated analytics tool for Google+ or will it become part of Google Analytics. The social reports within GA are growing by leaps and bounds.
Pamela Vaughan 1:03 PM on December 28, 2012
Hi Wade: It seems like it will be a dedicated analytics tool for Google+, since Google+ refers to it separately from its mention of social reports in GA here: http://www.google.com/intl/en/+/business/measure.html.
Dorset Business Directory 1:12 PM on December 28, 2012
I've really been struggling with Google+ from the beginning. It's something that I've always looked at as "too little too late". I think Google are starting to catch up now though
Simon Black 1:13 PM on December 28, 2012
I've really been struggling with Google+ from the beginning. It's something that I've always looked at as "too little too late". I think Google are starting to catch up now though.
Pam Hege 1:32 PM on December 28, 2012
This is a definite game-changer for Google+ and its role in my 2013 marketing plan.
Mike Muranetz 1:41 PM on December 28, 2012
Yahooo!!! Now I can add all those past clients on using Gmail directly to my Google+ business page. Yahooo!!!
John Powell 3:51 PM on December 28, 2012
This look very good from Google and look good of our businesses I will
" Just Do It "
Jeff Knox 6:00 PM on December 28, 2012
I hope that Google+ does become more useable for businesses especially with the changes Facebook are bringing about for posts. They are pushing hard for pages to pay for people to see their posts that have already liked the page. The number of users seeing the posts on my page has dropped dramatically in recent weeks despite high engagement from users in the past.
Jeanette Burton 9:00 PM on December 28, 2012
I do like Google+ more so than Facebook, but it has been hard to convince others to change. This might just be the icing on the cake. I hope we can convince them now.
Nina 11:49 PM on December 28, 2012
It is about time that google+ lives up to expectation
akhil 12:56 AM on December 29, 2012
Google developers are really working soo hard to beat fb....New strategies, new modifications...Great. Anyway, thanks for the update Pamela...
Matt Clegg 6:10 AM on December 29, 2012
Google has denied it has plans to introduce analytics to Google+ business users
RajarhatXplorer 8:55 AM on December 29, 2012
Thanks for the update....
Tekinsol 1:57 AM on December 30, 2012
great article thanks.......
Google+ 2:24 PM on December 30, 2012
Everybody was attacked when Search engines released Google+ online community without including any particular function for the entrepreneurs to market their manufacturers. Nevertheless within a couple of months, Search engines allowed companies to market their sword by creating personalized labeled webpages. The option at present allows the entrepreneurs to market their company on a public media systems being utilized by an
Shoaib Sheikh 7:52 AM on December 31, 2012
I think Google needs to do a lot more than that, like they should offer page url (plus.google.com/pagename) like thing. It would be very beneficial for everyone.
MLM Software 1:43 AM on January 02, 2013
Thanks for given this important information