by Jaimie Siegle | Advertising Systems Inc.
It’s hard to keep track of all the social networks out there – and who’s using them. Although it seemed that Google+ was a lackluster (and unpopular) answer to its competitor Facebook, things seem to be looking up for the search engine’s social network.
The number of Google+ users reached 100 million at the end of January, and some experts are predicting that membership may reach 400 million by the end of 2012: Half of the total number of Facebook accounts. The most popular advertising platforms are still Facebook and Twitter, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for for another maverick – especially with other major players in the game like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Perhaps the most promising quality of Google+ is its organic search capabilities. The ability for Google+ to drive search traffic is essential for small businesses, says Ian Lurie of Conversation Marketing. The next immediate steps? Lurie writes advises companies to sign up for a Plus account and add “influential people from your industry/profession/likes/dislikes in your circles.” After adding content to your profile, be responsive to other comments or posts. Simply put, be a part of the Plus conversation.
Do you use Google+? Share what you like (or don’t like) about it in the comments section.
