According to Mashable, Google+ just launched Trending Topics Thursday night, November 18. It’s similar to Twitter’s Trending Topics and includes 10 of the hottest and most popular discussion items on the social network. When a user clicks on one of the topics, a search query is launched and posts about the topic by other users on Google+ are displayed.
In addition to adding Trending Topics, Google also made some changes regarding Google+ Search. Users can search the entire Google+ network, within their circles or within their own posts.
Trending topics helped Twitter become the place where people turned to find out what others were talking about at any point in time. Now with Google+ jumping on the Bandwagon, does Twitter have to watch its back?
This screenshot shows Google+'s new Trending Topics.
As we all know, Google Places is constantly changing and updating. Over the past week, there has been plenty of buzz about the new makeover Google Places has undergone. After our Local Splash provisioning team has researched the new face of Google Places, here is an outline of the changes we’ve found.
The New Search Engine Results Pages:
• The red Google pins are now grey. If you hover your mouse over the grey pins turn red. • The map is vertically larger and more pins are displayed. • When you click on the red arrow a new panel to the right is displayed with more information. This information includes Place Page photos with more details and the business’s home page.
Great Marketing Opportunities
When a user already knows the name of the business they’re looking for, the results page looks like this:
• All of the important business information is above the fold on your page – this is prime marketing real estate. • The Places Page and website are both displayed; if you click the right arrow it will go between both. • Citations (listings and directories) are shown.
The new look of Google Places is great because it displays information without needing to actually click on the business’s Places Page. This is extremely beneficial for small businesses that may not have much of a marketing budget or online presence because Google Places is completely free. Claiming your Google Places listing allows you to establish your business online with little investment. Be sure to completely fill out your Google Places page information with plenty of details about your business (including photos, videos, etc.) to maximize your Google Places page’s value and boost your rankings.
According to the Google Mobile Ads Blog, Google recently launched an initiative called “GoMo,” which is meant to help businesses make the transition to mobile easier. GoMo is short for “go mobile” and is designed to help businesses that have a mobile presence set up, but are having trouble with it.
Many times, businesses make the transition to mobile to find that their website does not translate well onto smart phones. This can cause frustrated customers to migrate away from your site; something business owners do not want. The Google Mobile Ads Blog directs users to HowToGoMo, which shows them how their site looks on a mobile phone as well as provides resources to help build their website.
“Every day more and more of your customers are looking for you…on mobile devices,” wrote Jesse Haines, Google Mobile Ads Marketing team member. “If you don’t have a site that works for mobile, you’re missing out.”
According to Google, 61% of users are unlikely to return to a site that’s not mobile-friendly. However, when a site is built for mobile, customer engagement increases by 85%.
According to the