Google+ for WordPress – Tips & Plugins for Your Blog
In the world of social media, Google+ is often overlooked in favor of more popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter. However, Google+ is a powerful tool for businesses looking to promote their brand and connect with their audience. In this article, we will explore some tips and plugins for using Google+ with your WordPress blog.
What is Google+?
Google+ is a social media platform created by Google in 2011. It offers many of the same features as other social media channels, such as the ability to share posts, photos, and videos. However, Google+ also has some unique features that make it stand out from other platforms.
One of the most notable features of Google+ is its integration with other Google services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. This makes it easy to share content across different platforms and collaborate with others.
Google+ also offers a feature called Circles, which allows users to group their contacts into different categories. This makes it easy to share content with specific groups of people, rather than sharing it with everyone on your friends list.
Using Google+ with WordPress
If you have a WordPress blog, there are several ways you can use Google+ to promote your content and engage with your audience. Here are some tips and plugins to help you get started:
1. Share your blog posts on Google+
One of the easiest ways to use Google+ with your WordPress blog is to share your blog posts on the platform. This can help drive traffic to your website and increase engagement with your audience.
To share your blog posts on Google+, simply create a new post on the platform and include a link to your blog post. You can also add a brief description of the post and any relevant hashtags to help it reach a wider audience.
2. Use Google+ comments on your blog
Another way to integrate Google+ with your WordPress blog is to use Google+ comments. This allows users to leave comments on your blog using their Google+ account, rather than creating a separate account for your website.
Using Google+ comments can help increase engagement on your blog and make it easier for users to share their thoughts and feedback. To enable Google+ comments on your WordPress blog, you can use a plugin like Google+ Comments for WordPress.
3. Add Google+ badges to your website
Adding Google+ badges to your website can help promote your Google+ profile and encourage users to follow you on the platform. This can also help increase your visibility on Google search results, as Google+ profiles are often displayed alongside search results.
To add a Google+ badge to your WordPress website, you can use a plugin like Google+ Badge Widget. This allows you to easily add a badge to your sidebar or footer, and customize the size and style of the badge.
4. Use Google Authorship to establish authority
Google Authorship is a feature that allows you to link your Google+ profile to your blog posts. This can help establish you as an authority in your field and increase your visibility on Google search results.
To enable Google Authorship on your WordPress blog, you can use a plugin like Yoast SEO. This allows you to add your Google+ profile URL to your WordPress user profile, and automatically adds the necessary markup to your blog posts.
5. Join Google+ communities related to your niche
Google+ communities are groups of users who share a common interest or topic. Joining communities related to your niche can help you connect with other bloggers and potential readers, and promote your content to a wider audience.
To find relevant communities on Google+, simply search for keywords related to your niche and browse the results. You can also use a tool like CircleCount to find popular communities in your industry.
Conclusion
Although it may not be as popular as other social media platforms, Google+ can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to promote their brand and engage with their audience. By using these tips and plugins, you can integrate Google+ with your WordPress blog and take advantage of its unique features to grow your online presence.
