What are best practices for Google+ in terms of SEO?

Question: What are some best practices for Google+?

Answer: There is a lot of confusion about Google+! A lot! First and foremost, most people do not realize that Google+ is three different products –

1. Google+ for individuals = more or less the same concept as Facebook, with minor variations. You post and your friends / families, etc., follow you. The main innovation is circles and the the ‘hang out’ or video chat. Has not done very well.
2. Google+ for businesses = more or less the same thing as Facebook page for businesses. Again, has not done very well as it is not very differentiated.
3. Google+ Local = Google’s YELP alternative – local search. Has done VERY well, and I think long term will be the death of Yelp.

Now in terms of best practices from an SEO perspective. 1st, Google+ for individuals allows you to get your picture to show on Google searches and is very synergistic with SEO. So it is a HUGE important thing to do. I have a YouTube / Tutorial on this at http://www.jm-seo.net/SEO-tutorial/authorship-rich-snippets.html.

2nd, Google+ for business. Pretty lame. I do not see any real value here at this time. Lots of effort just to duplicate Facebook, when everyone is really on Facebook. So wait and see.

3rd, Google+ local. HUGE if your business is local. We discuss this thoroughly in our class on local SEO. Best practices are a) interlink to your website, b) get keywords in your business listing, and c) get reviews. Reviews are the critical factor.