This week Google launched a new service called “Search, Plus Your World”. Users who log into their Google accounts will be provided personalized search results based on items shared within their Google+ circles. Each personalized search result displays Google+ information such as: the avatar image and linked profile name of who shared it, and how it was shared. You can opt-out by toggling between Show Personalize Results and Hide Personalized Results. A blue person icon to the left of the result indicates that the result is a personalized one.
From the official Google Blog, Search, Plus Your World brings:
- Personal Results, which enable you to find information just for you, such as Google+ photos and posts—both your own and those shared specifically with you, that only you will be able to see on your results page;
- Profiles in Search, both in autocomplete and results, which enable you to immediately find people you’re close to or might be interested in following; and,
- People and Pages, which help you find people profiles and Google+ pages related to a specific topic or area of interest, and enable you to follow them with just a few clicks. Because behind most every query is a community.
What does this mean for Search Engine Optimization and your blog?
Like it or not, the union of social and search is here to stay. Google has been widely criticized this week because Facebook and Twitter results are not part of Search, Plus Your World, it is exclusively Google+. This move gives more weight to Google+. If you’re a blogger you need to be on Google+. You’ll want to interact widening your Google+ circles, share every post you publish on Google+ and make sure you have Google+ buttons on your posts.
