Back in June, Google Plus links started disappearing from Google, leading many to believe this was the beginning of the end for the social media platform that could never quite gain traction with users. Just a month after that, Google announced a big ‘pivot’ for the social network.
But does this really mean that Google could be gearing up to dismantle the social media channel? Or are they just making adjustments as they’ve done time and time again?
Below, we explain what you need to know about the recent updates to Google Plus, and how you should implement the channel into your own dental marketing strategy.
Dismantling the Google Plus Update
The biggest renovation that’s come with the network shift is this: you no longer need a Google Plus account to use YouTube or other Google platforms like Hangouts. Some speculate that revoking something that was once forced upon its users is admitted defeat. While this is certainly a step in that direction, it’s not a leap quite yet.
Google Plus’ original goal was to give users one identity across all Google services. However, the mandatory integration didn’t sit well with everyone, and many found it confusing and unnecessary. More so, the binding union of services gave the impression that the search engine was merely aiming to gain more information on its users strictly for advertisement purposes.
The changes to Google Plus are expected to be rolled out in stages over the next several months. For your dental practice page, this means you’ll have the option to disconnect from your Gmail or YouTube, making it less confusing when you or an office staff member attempts to post from the platform.
Incorporating Google Plus into Your Dental Marketing
Google Plus may be changing, but it’s not going away. As long as the platform is alive and well, its presence should still be sprinkled into your dental marketing efforts from time to time. After all, the social media site IS a part of powerhouse Google, and while we can’t be certain that post frequency has a direct correlation with higher search engine rankings, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Aiming to share unique posts on the platform at least once per week should do the trick and will help keep your profile relevant.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations when it comes to what you’re putting in and getting out of the social media network. In fact, it’s very likely that you may never get a new dental patient from your Google Plus profile alone. Instead, focus on your social media presence as a whole, encompassing all channels like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube into your plan of attack. Make sure your profiles are linked to your website and that you post occasional updates. These “social signals,” as they’re commonly referred to, are thought to have a positive effect on your website rankings.