Dust Off Your Google Profile

When Google introduced Google Profiles in April of 2009, I had this sense that they were going to be integral to our relationships on the social Web.  It turns out I was right, though I didn’t expect that I would have to wait this long.

2011.2.21 Google Profiles

In 2009 there were still many concerns with respect to how much personal information one should share on the Web. I decided to go for it – building the most robust Google Profile I was capable of at the time.

Initially, it was very exciting to see your Google Profile at the bottom of page one of a Google search for your name.  Why? From that profile anyone can connect with you on any of the social networks where you are active, as well as personally learn more about you and your business, and whatever else you care to share.

Then the Google Profiles just seemed to disappear.  As a result, most of us quit updating them.

With Google’s announcement late Friday, it is clear that they are serious about making good on earlier statements made this year – most notably, co-founder Sergey Brin’s comment that Google has touched less than 1% of what they are capable of with respect to social search.

I know that the concept of social graphs and how they work with social search is abstract, and therefore one more extra weight on running your small business.  So, forget about the terminology and just do this:

Dust off Your Google Profile

If you have not yet set one up, here is where you go to do so. If you have a profile, freshen up your bio and make sure all of the links still work – and then add some more.

Your Google Profile is essentially your base camp – your home in regards to assembling your social graph for Google search – especially the real-time and social search that Google is now intensely focused on.

This may be one of the most worthwhile actions you take this year in regard to your social media marketing.  Of course, if you have a business with a physical location, an equally important step is to register your business with Google Places and Google Maps.

That’s it.

Now sit back, enjoy your social networking experience, and let Google do the rest.

If you would like to learn more about Google’s plans, here is an article from just a few days ago that will help to put all of this into perspective. This article also goes into the distinction between Google and Facebook social search, and what that means for you and your small business moving forward.

Also included in that article is a link to an extensive article on social graphs.

About the Author:  Jeff Korhan, MBA, is the author of Built-In Social: Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business and host of This Old New Business podcast.

He helps mainstream businesses adapt their traditional growth practices to a digital world. Connect with Jeff on LinkedInTwitterFacebook, and Google+

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