posted by: If you have been on any internet pages in the last few weeks, chances are you have not missed the single-most trending topic of the moment: Google +. Not only is there wide speculation about the soon-to-be-launched Google social platform, but the initial beta program is being discussed so frequently that it is now, according to research from Pew Research Center, the top story on Twitter by a long shot (35% of all tweeted links).
In a nutshell, Google + is a new social networking platform that intends, so we have read, to make sharing easier, more widespread, and more relevant. It has been commonly referred to by tech bloggers as Google’s answer to Facebook, but if it integrates its reach into the world of other Google offerings as much as rumors promise, its impact should be far greater.
So how should hotel marketers approach Google +?
As a business, our advice (along with Google’s) is to sit tight until later this year when Google launches the ability for business to create profiles on Google +. Currently, the platform has been designed for personal profiles only. Google has announced plans to create “an optimized business experience” on its network that will likely include deep analytic understanding and the ability to connect to other Google products, such as AdWords. Once the business offering is launched, we will keep you posted about opportunities to merchandise your brand and build out your presence.
For now, we recommend that your marketing team already get familiar with the platform and look at what is being shared. Create a network, experiment, and be aware of your brand name appearing in any conversations. At this point, Google + is in beta testing and offered by invitation only. This being said, they recently announced crossing the 10 million user mark, so invitations have not been limited to only a select few. You can sign up to request an invitation at plus.google.com or request an invite from someone in your network who is already using the platform, similar to Google’s approach to launching gmail.
Wait a minute…I have been seeing +1 on Google search for a while now. Should our hotel be using this?
Earlier this year, Google launched its +1 feature, offering the ability to click +1 on search engine links to recommend their relevance or interest to your search. Google +1 icons will appear directly to the right of each paid and organic search result when the user is logged into a Google account.
According to Google, you can “click +1 to publicly give something your stamp of approval.” In a nutshell it functions as Google’s answer to Facebook’s “like” button, only now it’s on search. The +1 feature can be used separately from the Google + platform, either within Google search pages or within your own Hotel Website. Adding a +1 feature on your Website is the first way to get involved as a business with Google’s social offerings, and as of last month Google has made it possible for any Website to do so. We anticipating the Google +1 button will provide the following benefits to Website owners:
- Enhanced visibility in personalized results.
- Increased validation and rapport in Website selection with users
- Increase in traffic and visitor quality from Search Engines.
- Google will eventually use +1 recommendations to help rank non-personalized results.
Currently, we are testing this feature for function and performance. The Google code can be found here: http://www.google.com/+1/button/, but before adding any new button or plug-in to your site, we highly recommend consulting with your Website Development provider first. Contact our team for assistance and recommendations on how to effectively integrate into your Website.
For now…we’re looking forward to connecting with your business on Google + this fall!
