Verified Google+ Business Pages – the future of SEO?

The number of Google+ pages showing in Google search results have risen from 0% to 20% in 2012. (eConsultancy)  This development in how search results are ranked relate to Google’s desire to effectively index and judge constant streams of content. Google+ is the key, and the new AuthorRank is it’s partner.  In its bid for better search results, Google are now favouring results from verified Google+ Pages and verified Google Authors. When Google updates its search algorithms, every business is wise to update their content and SEO strategies accordingly. If you are an authentic business, with authentic content and engaged social media, just two simple steps will align you with Google’s vision for the future.  Verify your Google+ Business Page and become a verified Google Author.  In 2005 Google realised that providing their users with better results would depend on identifying and ranking the people who produced the content to be ranked. They filed a patent for “Agent Rank” which suggested that more well-received and popular “agents” could have their associated content rank higher than unsigned content. Agent Rank has now become AuthorRank, a means to verify content which is currently on trial.  In September 2011 Google filed a continuation patent referencing a “portable identity platform” which has essentially become Google+. The final piece of the puzzle was revealed by WSJ on Feb 1 2013 when they shared excerpts from the new book, ‘The New Digital Age’  written by Google’s Executive Chairman. One of the notable excerpts stated that;  “Within search results, information tied to verified online profiles will be ranked higher than content without such verification, which will result in most users naturally clicking on the top (verified) results. The true cost of remaining anonymous, then, might be irrelevance.”  Google+ is what Google uses to tie all your content together so optimizing it is now very important. If your Google+ profile has a high PageRank then your AuthorRank should also be high.  To do well you and your company must be active on Google+.  Each time someone gives your content a +1, it gets a stamp of approval—increasing its reach. Properly linking all your relevant content from across the internet to your Google+ page is advised.  Also set up author verification on your company blog and wherever else you publish original content.  Other Tips  

• Verify your Google+ page
• Create unique Google+ content several times a day
• Increase the number of +1s and Google+ shares your business content receives
• Increase the number of Google+ circles your business is in – interact with them
• Encourage people to comment on your content
• Check your Google+ feed and interact, particularly +1 content you like
• Set up author verificaton on your company blog – connect it to Google+
• Guest blog and connect it to Google+