Google plus search results are slowly engulfing my sites

25 replies
  • SEO
  • |
Im curious to know whether or not others here are experiencing this also.

Ive just checked a number of my sites in the Google's search results and they are all literally being surrounded by G+ profile rich pages. The changes are considerable, and seem to have really shifted over the past few weeks in particular.

This is concerning for me as Im not a part of Googles social network.

Im really beginning to feel "pressured" into embracing G+ in an effort to preserve my rankings, which to me, seems wrong.

Anyone else experiencing this?
#engulfing #google #results #search #sites #slowly
  • Profile picture of the author jaiganeshv
    Yes i see that happen to my sites also, so i included g+ profile links to my sites (rel=author) and also hoping to see my author profile in serps sometime...

    But ya less options for bloggers...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566587].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    Nope. Not a single G+ listing in sight.

    Over the past several months I only recall seeing one G+ listing for any of my searches.

    .
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566614].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

      Nope. Not a single G+ listing in sight.
      I was saying exactly that about a month ago, too.
      Signature

      BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566629].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    The Google+ 2012 apocalypse has begun!

    Not to make light of your situation, but yeah, I could see that as being a worrying trend. And you are noticing this while not being logged in to Google and not seeing your personal results, right?

    Guess it's time to game the system and buy a bunch of Google+ likes, votes, or whatever they call them (tongue-in-cheek).

    Anyone know where John Cusack is? I'd like to get on a plane with him to the Himalayas soon.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566705].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by redicelander View Post

      And you are noticing this while not being logged in to Google and not seeing your personal results, right?
      Logged in or not, its the same unfortunately
      Signature

      BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566729].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author alexmobile
    It was pretty clear that G would leverage their SERPs to force webmasters into G+ game.

    At least this is what I would do if I were a G+ Program Manager or whatever title is.

    Give a slight but noticeable SEO boost bonus for being intergated into G+. They would carefully balance it though so it is not stupidly obvious. I am sure there are ways to make the extra traffic noticeable to webmasters but hard to reverse-engineer or abuse.

    So then the rumors would start spreading... And webmasters will have to put "+1" button on their websites, or be left behind. That, in its turn would create an impression FOR VISITORS that "+1" is getting widely adopted all over the Internet ... I think this is what google wants - us webmasters to promote their "+1" thingy on our websites, in exchange for some extra traffic from upper SERPS.

    Once everybody would have "+1" on their sites, Google would feel free to change THEIR rules again
    Signature
    QRID.com - login to websites by scanning QR code on your monitor! No Passwords!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5566822].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author THK
    I am with Kindsvater on this, so far no G+ results. Then again I use it very little these days.

    So what exactly is happening? Only people with complete G+ profile getting their sites ranked and rest are being ignored?

    Tanvir
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5567249].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Google will do whatever the h*ll they want and you will like it.

    But in all seriousness. I'm with ya'. It sucks. And there's really nothing we can do at this point.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5567330].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Griffin Smith
      Welcome to the 2012 G+ revolution. If you have any interest in making sure your sites rank well....G+ is killer

      I've actually noticed it quite recently, as a writer I'll create copy and post it through the usual method (Which of course includes social media) and after I let it index, I google the keyword to make sure it's there...

      And no sh#@ it's a G+ share that's on page one (logged in and out and on different browsers)

      The rules of this game are always changing and you have to adapt or you get left behind....
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5691071].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    The concern is how much these profile photos are detracting from the other search results. I should check my search data, to see how much of an impact theyre actually having.

    Then again, GA is useless at the moment because of the referral data showing (not provided)
    Signature

    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5567420].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author clean99
    I haven't had that problem yet, but I believe you. Google sucks, but we have to play by their rules.

    The other way to go is to switch over to other traffic sources...(Youtube? Twitter? Facebook?)
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5567526].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      I'm surprised marketers are complaining about this. It's easy to integrate G+ with your site, it probably takes 30 minutes.

      Then you're ahead of millions of small business sites who don't do it.

      With any contentmanagmentsystem like wordpress you have to do it only once, and the info will be on all your future posts, pages too.

      While it's too early to really know where this is going, I find it's giving web masters an easy way to stand out.

      Add a g+ button to your sites, and link your site's author info to the g+ account, and you're done.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653392].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by Ralf Skirr View Post

        I'm surprised marketers are complaining about this. It's easy to integrate G+ with your site, it probably takes 30 minutes.

        Then you're ahead of millions of small business sites who don't do it.

        With any contentmanagmentsystem like wordpress you have to do it only once, and the info will be on all your future posts, pages too.

        While it's too early to really know where this is going, I find it's giving web masters an easy way to stand out.

        Add a g+ button to your sites, and link your site's author info to the g+ account, and you're done.
        You're missing the point.

        Doing as you suggested is EXACTLY what Google wants.

        Engagement into their social network.

        There's a big difference between embracing a social network and interacting with friends, as opposed to feeling pressured to join, purely from a marketing perspective in an effort to protect my income.
        Signature

        BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653565].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
          Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

          You're missing the point.

          Doing as you suggested is EXACTLY what Google wants.
          I didn't miss your point, I see it differenty: I think what Google is doing right now is good for me and my sites.

          I don't feel pressure, I enjoy it.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653588].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
            Originally Posted by Ralf Skirr View Post

            I enjoy it.
            I don't....
            Signature

            BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653944].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author THK
            Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post


            There's a big difference between embracing a social network and interacting with friends, as opposed to feeling pressured to join, purely from a marketing perspective in an effort to protect my income.
            Agree with you. And don't forget that once they get enough people to take the bait, they will keep changing the rules so their company can become richer at the expense of other companies.

            Originally Posted by Ralf Skirr View Post

            I didn't miss your point, I see it differenty: I think what Google is doing right now is good for me and my sites.

            I don't feel pressure, I enjoy it.
            People enjoyed a lot of free organic traffic for their simple/thin/MFA type sites, affiliate marketers enjoyed cheap clicks and profit from adwords. Things change. Those people are not enjoying any of that now. Many of them are also feeling the pressure.

            Enjoy G+ while it last. Something tells me Google did not design this expensive tool for you and me to enjoy. Once they have enough people into the system, good luck enjoying it

            All the best

            Tanvir
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653964].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
              Originally Posted by THK View Post

              People enjoyed a lot of free organic traffic for their simple/thin/MFA type sites, affiliate marketers enjoyed cheap clicks and profit from adwords. Things change. Those people are not enjoying any of that now. Many of them are also feeling the pressure.

              Enjoy G+ while it last. Something tells me Google did not design this expensive tool for you and me to enjoy. Once they have enough people into the system, good luck enjoying it

              All the best

              Tanvir
              That is true with most marketing methods. Each method has it's time, and things change fast. Not only for internet marketers, by the way, for offline businesses too. Adopting to this change is part of the enjoyment , and people who can't, will feel miserable doing business.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5654467].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
          Banned
          Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

          You're missing the point.

          Doing as you suggested is EXACTLY what Google wants.

          Engagement into their social network.

          There's a big difference between embracing a social network and interacting with friends, as opposed to feeling pressured to join, purely from a marketing perspective in an effort to protect my income.
          That's pretty much the point that Google is making with G+ - they're not trying to make organic search work better for marketing purposes.

          They've been slowly moving in this direction for years - their search algos have always been damn good. Integrating the social component adds the kind of refinement to SERPS that cannot be achieved programmatically.

          What you're seeing now is going to continue to evolve. Some elements may be abandoned, while new ones may be added. Google's going to continue to test and modify this aspect of search for years to come.

          The writing is on the wall though - it's not ever going to change. You don't have to like it, but if you're going to focus on organic traffic, you'll have to adapt to it.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5654090].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    Google is declaring a war, you either with them or not, I saw sites using G+ flying in unlogical standards.

    G+ market for sale is getting bigger.

    I am not happy with what G is doing, and it will be a matter of time where all search results will include it by default

    right now MR. G+ is being Nice to us we have the option include or exclude. it is good as it last
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5653580].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I have that feature of Google search disabled so that I'm not annoyed with Google Plus results that I could care less about.

    It wouldn't surprise me if this crappy change in Google is to force people into using the junk social network to get exposure.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5654306].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Global Warrior
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      I have that feature of Google search disabled so that I'm not annoyed with Google Plus results that I could care less about.

      It wouldn't surprise me if this crappy change in Google is to force people into using the junk social network to get exposure.
      Or ditch them and use an alternative where you have COMPLETE contol :-)

      RJ... Ill PM you if that's ok.

      GW
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5654440].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sagar Mehta
    Damn, if Facebook and Twitter were only WILLING to open up their data to Google, it would have their results integrated too. Then, it would be a REAL social apocalypse, cause you would have to be on G+, Facebook and Twitter at the same time.

    I can understand the frustration with the results though. But, like they say, if the rules of the game change, you have to play by the rules if you want to be in the game.

    In a brick and mortar business, this could be other competitors all setting up shop around you. What would you do to counter them? : )
    Signature
    Need AWESOME Customer Support For Your Product / Service / Upcoming Launches? > Click Here <
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5654568].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Well this has taken an interesting turn ....

    A few days ago I decided that Id add the G+ author code to my site. Not because I wanted to, but simply because I figured doing that was better than "doing nothing".

    Ive just checked my site this morning in the SERPS, and guess what?

    Its no-where.

    Its been pushed back to page 4.

    This site has been sitting in first spot for over a year. Ive seen reshuffling before, but this is a little different because the page that is ranking on page 4, isnt my home page. Its just a back page, which to me makes little sense.

    And yes, Ive already checked to see if the site has been deindexed, which it hasnt.
    Signature

    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5691013].message }}

Trending Topics