Searching Just Got Social for NPOs

This week Google announced that they were going to add information from Google+ pages into their search algorithms so that they can create a more personalized result when you search. Sounds great, right?

But hold one for a second. What does this mean for you and your agency? It means Google+ pages now impact the result people see when they use a search engine like Google to find you. To make sure that your agency’s programs and agency name continue to be top 10 results in Google, you’ll want to start a Google+ page if you already haven’t done so yet. On this page, you’ll want to make sure to include keywords and terms that are similar to your agency website’s content.

Here are a couple of resources, that I usually turn to with social media questions, that should help you create and maintain a Google+ page.

• Beth Kanter
• Google’s Blog
• Google for Nonprofits Discussion Group
• John Haydon
• Socialbrite
• Search Engine Land

What are some of the Google+ resources that you’ve found that are helpful?

Google+ Opens Up to NPOs

Google+ finally is allowing charities (and businesses) to have their own pages on the Google+ platform. No more work arounds.

Beth Kanter has already started pulling together a circle of all charities who have a page. Another reason why I love to read Beth’s work.

John Haydon has created a video explaining how to create a Google+ page for your website. This video is one of the reasons why John Haydon rocks! John, thanks for your work on this.

Do you have a Google+ page for your agency? If so let us know so we may add you to our circle and let Beth know so you’re in hers, too.

Plus 1 Buttons and How to Subscribe to Facebook Pages

Google has a great web page on how to add +1 buttons for your website. If you’re already using Google+ you really should consider adding these to your website, too.

Facebook changed things up a bit in the past few weeks. You now don’t have to ‘like’ something to be able to comment on a page. The subscribe button allows you to be part of a page’s conversation without being previously connected to the page. John Haydon has a great run down on how the changes and specifically the subscribe button helps nonprofits.

What are your thoughts on the changes? Please feel free to share them in the comments box below.

Google+

Google+ (Google Plus) is Google’s newest foray into social media. The service is about a month old and is still being rolled out on an invitation only basis. It took me a few weeks before I received an invitation for it. It’s now over 20 million users. I, like most others, are kicking the tires to see what it really does. Some think it might be a Facebook killer. Others think it will be the new form du jour of blogging.

I like how you can place people into Circles. Google+ Circles are similar to categorizing your Facebook friends with labels. Hangouts are where you can do group video chats. Google+ integrates your Google tools, like Picasa, into its service.

Marc Pitman has a nice write up why your nonprofit should consider Google+. Here is a cheat sheet with Google+ tips. Mashable has a Complete Google+ guide that is helpful, too.

Here’s a video from Google about the service.

Is Google Plus a Facebook killer? I don’t know yet. Are you using it? Let us know your reaction.

Update (3 p.m. 7/25/11): I came across an additional Google+ best practices resource for nonprofits that I needed to share with you.