That trobulesome Google.

If you have been living under a rock, then it is time you know that Google has again updated its search.  This time, they have incorporated Google+ content into their search.  Lauren has a better explanation of the update here, but in a nutshell, the status updates, photos, videos and whatever you have put on Google+ would gain a more prominent place on your follower’s search results granted that they are logged into their Google account.

Some people whined about the changes, including Twitter, which called the launch of Search Plus Your World a bad day for the Internet, only to be rebuked by Google saying that it was its to opt out of search in the first place.

Business owners, however, can turn this development to their advantage.  For one, if their business names or products are nowhere near the first page of search results, Google+ have offered them a way into it.

Business owners, take advantage of this development by:

1. Creating a Google+ account (DUH!).  Right after the launch of Google+ last year, the hubze squad has speculated that Google would find a way to make these pages more relevant by putting these into search.  Google has always been trying to get into social search, and with the launch of +1 and the roll-out of the Panda update, we started advising our readers to create a Google+ account.  If you did not believe us then, maybe this development would convince you that we were right.

More than creating a Google+ account, however, you would need to make your Google+ page eligible for Direct Connect.  How do you do this? Nobody but Google could explain it better, and they did explain it here: http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1711199

2. Creating interesting, educational, informative (read: viral) content and share them on your Google+ account.  You have been doing this on Facebook and Twitter: sharing the things that you think would interest and engage your followers and fans.  But with Google+ it is doubly important.  While your followers on Google+ would be able to see your status updates, photos, videos and any other content in their Personal Results, others who are not connected with you would not be able to see it.

Now if your followers share your content on their own Google+ pages, then you have effectively cast a wider net.

3. While you’re at it, making it easier to share your content.  Maybe it’s time to add a Share on Google+ button to your blog posts?  Or perhaps just a +1 icon?

4. Getting people to add you on Google+.  Put your Google+ page URL on everything: your store bags, your store window, on business cards, promotional flyers and marketing materials.  Put a link up on your website, Facebook page and Twitter account.  Invite your Facebook and Twitter customers to connect with you on Google+.  Run a contest or give a special discount to people who add you on Google+.  In short, do everything to get people into your Google+ page.

5. Do not neglect your search engine optimization efforts.  Remember that organic search results would stay, and that your customers would have to be logged into their Google accounts to see the personalized results from Google.  Even then, they have to open up the personal results tab to see the Google+ content.  So your SEO efforts are still important.  Make sure that you do not neglect your organic search ranking optimization just because you have found a short cut!