Google+ is Closing – What Affiliate Marketers Need to Know!
Many Affiliate Marketers are aware of the benefits of having a google+ account. Being able to tell google that you have a website and posting your content on google plus has always had a benefit when it comes to Ranking. Google has used this for ranking for a while and that is why Affiliate Marketers have used it. But now we find that Google+ is closing. Why?
Let’s go through that now.
Google+ Had a Data BreachOne of the key reasons why they are making this decision is due to the data breach that affected 500,000 members of the site. Their data could have been shared without their knowledge or consent with up to 438 outside developers. But I think the real issue is they didn’t tell anyone. They were worried that it would be seen as a Facebook scenario with the Cambridge Analytica situation.
This will also impact the Overall Google Brand and will lead to a number of investigations. They state that no one’s email address, gender and age were shared and that it was making changes to its data handling.
Google+ Never Reached Its PotentialLet’s be honest, not many people will be aware of Google+ as a social network. I didn’t join it until I was told how it could help your website rankings when I started with Wealthy Affiliate a couple of years ago.
When it first started, it was supposed to be a rival to Facebook – But that didn’t happen…
Whenever I check out Google+ it seems to be split between website owners sharing their content and maybe a few die hard groups like Star Trek using it to communicate and share stories.
But this can all be done on other social media platforms, the group function in Facebook is really useful.
When Does it Close?It hasn’t been announced specifically, but the consumer version will be closed and Google has announced they will be focusing on the enterprise version as an internal communication tool for businesses.
But I can understand why they would be closing, apart from the Data Breach concerns it is shown that 90% of Google+ users are only online for 5 seconds. Not a great use of their resources.
If You Use Google+, What Now?I know many WA members are concerned about the ranking benefits Google+ showed but doing some research I am not sure this has as much as an affect as the training that WA offer. When Google+ first launched it was stated that using the platform and the +1 would help with ranking, but they have moved away from this position. It did help with search results a little.
But if I am honest, my recommendation for people is not to worry too much about Google+ and focus on social media platforms that would benefit your brand for the long-term. Twitter and Facebook have huge audiences that actually interact with the content. Social Interaction from these sites to your content will have more of a positive impact than Google+.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on the closing of Google+. Let me know what your thoughts are on Google+ closing and share whether you actually use it or not.
Recent Comments
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What a shame! I joined Google+ about two months ago when I first became aware of its existence while doing my online certification training. I really liked the platform and believed that it would help to eventually lead people to my niche-site. This Internet-hacking thing has really gotten out of hand! I am glad however. there are other social-media platforms out there, but I have my reservations about Facebook, because it always seems to be a platform of criticism and used for tearing others apart. Thank you for this warning though, and I wish you the best success here at WA. Sincerely. Jim
thanks Jim,
I know what you are saying about Facebook - but overall you cannot deny the huge audience it can offer. I have a facebook page and it is gaining traction and you can always do settings to control who posts to your page (by authorising it or not). So do not get too discourage with facebook.
Kyle actually recommends it in the super affiliate challenge
Thanks for the explanation. I have seen many people mention it and saying join webtalk. However this seems as though it might be a MLM site and not a Social one.
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen
Those thoughts are very clear concise and informative, I for one will be sorry to see Google+ go, as I like the platform.
one thing you haven't mentioned, which is worth pointing out, that there is still Google My Business, which is a far more impactive and functional platform as far as business owners go, so though Google+ is going, GMB is not
In terms of Social Media, I shall stick with Linkedin, having been there since the start, YouTube and Twiter as the bonus social media.
I love Linkedin, because its a business specific platform, which has been good for me and others previously.
Thanks for sharing though, very useful
Hey Dave,
thanks for sharing. you are right Google My Business is a great tool. Linkedin is good. Video is always a great option.
thanks again
John
It won't affect me very much. I haven't been posting for a few months and I prefer twitter and instagram. Facebook is something I use for my live videos but there's too many cons to the platform for me.
thanks for sharing, what do you find about Facebook that are cons? would like to know.
thanks
I tend to focus more on Facebook and twitter, I only tend to share my posts on Google+ thats all
the reports show it has plenty of users, but not many of them are actually active in the community
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I have actually had several Google+ accounts, but have never used them for anything other than promoting businesses. I really don't like the platform. There isn't a lot of activity I have seen on it. I prefer Facebook myself. Thanks for the information though.
Hi, sorry for late reply. that is the same way I use it. Facebook is very popular, I also like twitter for posting my links too