Google Social Search Adds New Functionality & Potential Problems

Posted by admin on March 29, 2011 under Coding, Google, SEO, Social Networking | Be the First to Comment

Every day that passes, if you’re not paying attention, Google Social Search keeps adding new functionality and possible problems for SEO experts.  The latest is offering Twitter connections right on the search results page based on whether you’re logged in or not. The results below popped up today as I searched for more info on SMX Advanced in Seattle. It prompted me to Connect my Twitter account to SMX by asking if I was HortonWebDesign on Twitter and once I confirmed via an interactive button on the SERP’s, it then showed the following;

While this may concern some people, this is yet further proof that Google is doing everything possible to keep people connected and with the incorporation of Twitter connections into the SERP’s, it’s now easier than ever. Upon clicking the “Learn more” link, we are shown that this action will further skew the results pages to what my friends are searching for, what they’re linking to, and even their tweets.  Some of this is not in place as of yet, but the tweet section already is.  One might see this as a great personal experience that is coming to a fruition, while others will not.

From an SEO standpoint, however, this creates another quandary.  If a user is signed into Google, these new additions provide even more “custom” listings on the SERP’s and the loss of even more real estate on that sought after front page of results.  While there still is (and probably always will be) the top 10 listings on the page, that front page now also houses Twitter feeds, news results, videos, paid ads (top and side), social bookmarking, images, etc.  Long story is that the front page is even more convoluted than ever.

The positive side is that this means that true SEO strategists need to get very serious about their social media activity and offering true value to their customers because getting on the front page of Google is not only coding and site structure, it’s now video, bookmarking, networking, tweeting, images, and more.  Anyone searching for SEO services need to make sure that these efforts are included, because it’s yet another avenue onto that coveted Google front page.

If you’re not looking for an SEO expert to provide that assistance, you need to know that your involvement in the social arena is officially imperative.  It has been for the last few years, but now it’s on your doorstep with a tidy red bow.