Find out what our own @erikdafforn calls “One of the most dramatic changes to search results in years!” bit.ly/IPSEO1

— Intrapromote (@intrapromote) January 19, 2012

Google is at it again.

Last week, Google launched an update to its search results that relies heavily on social factors – primarily from its own social media channel, Google Plus.

Here at Intrapromote, we like word pictures and analogies.  We asked our pundits onstaff to describe their word picture for this latest Google update.

“Imagine you’ve just learned to ride a bike. Now imagine taking a wild spin on your bike … overcorrecting on the turns and then refining what you are going to do with your new found toys and discovering how more of the world opened up to you as you built your first social networks.”

Okay, maybe it’s not that dramatic and certainly not as nostalgic, but these changes are certainly as much fun if you can articulate what it means to get the most out of changes as the evolution continues.

We took the opportunity to discuss this update with our very own Erik Dafforn, President and Director of Search at Intrapromote, to hear his preliminary thoughts, reactions and recommendations for clients.

What Is It?

Erik explains the Google unveiling as “…one of the most dramatic changes to search results in years”.

“One of the most dramatic changes to search results in years!”

Erik continues by sharing how Google has significantly increased the input of certain social signals for certain users.  Here is an encapsulated version of the changes:

• In applying the concept of Personal Results, consider recall of a post you read on Google Plus but could never find again because you forgot who posted it and the key terms from the headline. If you are logged into your Google account, you will still see traditional search results and can now “opt in” to see Personal Results from your default Google Plus search engine.
• Profiles in Search isn’t new but Google Plus profiles will now appear in the autocomplete box to get you to recognize other Google Plus users, and get them added to circles more quickly than before. Remember, users will need to be logged into Google to see these results.
• There is nothing like getting served the world on a platter. Now, People in Pages helps identify the Google Plus Profiles of people and organizations that relate to your query, and makes it easy to add them to your circles.

How Relevant Will These Results Be?

Just like with our newfound bike or skateboard, navigating the neighborhood to expand our social networks, Erik says, “…the algorithm is out for a wild spin” and goes on to predict the search giant “…will likely take some time to refine how it’s scoring personalized results.”

“The algorithm is out for a wild spin”

This results change has already fueled complaints of Google favoring its own properties over more relevant third-party results.

What Does This Mean For Users?

Google’s most recent release is more important for its symbolism than for its actual results but unequivocally underscores the importance of certain tactics in overall Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Optimization.

Want To Learn More?

Simply contact us.  We’ll be happy to answer any question you have and share with you our complete POV document. We can create a strategy that will maximize your company’s presence on Google and Google Plus.

Linda is, we have to say, our customer service expert. She is one of our Renaissance Women that is willing to jump into any project (big or small) and pitch in. She has been known (once or twice or a hundred times, give or take a few) that providing an excellent customer experience is her passion. And trust us when we say she isn’t lying. Like Woah. Linda is, among other things, a life-long learner and is instrumental in a number of internal educational projects. On Above the Fold & Socially Acceptable, Linda blogs about the customer experience first and foremost. But look out! She may just sneak up on you and publish something CRAZY like a post about education or something. She’s Tricksy like that.

Follow Linda on Twitter:

Follow @LindaOneill

Share