The Complexity of Managing Google
I work at a company that has over 100 social media accounts for the various programs we work with (this includes the majors like Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Google+ YouTube, etc. as well as niche networks). ...100.
I don't work for an agency, but it's set up in a similar way to how an agency would manage different business accounts. Which means that one "client" (we don't call our partners clients) needs to have a presence on certain social media platforms (for SEO/Brand/Community purposes), and these accounts must be managed by a person. Fortunately we have a team of pretty amazing Inbound Marketing Coordinators that take care of creating content, managing the platforms, and growing the audiences.
I also work with a bunch of pretty smart SEOs who keep us as up to date as possible on the ins and outs of Google and what we should be doing. When they say that Google+ is important, I believe them even if I myself am not an active user. And if I don't believe them for whatever reason I can always look up what they're saying at places like Moz or Search Engine Land, which usually confirms it.
The last few months Google's been up to it's old tricks. And by tricks, I just mean it's doing what it should do by constantly keeping people on their toes so that way the best of the best content rises to the top.
Google's push for people to use Google+ makes sense in theory, but in practice might just be one of the hardest things I've ever attempted to wrap my head around when it comes to building a page, merging pages, and updating settings. We do know that Google+'s +1 feature means a lot in search results. We also know that Google Authorship will play a big role in the upcoming year. However we don't really know how to put your page in the best working order, or who to go to when we have really complex problems.
This is one example that I've come across 11 times in the last 3 weeks of how Google has been a giant pain in the ass with two of its networks:
If *anyone* out there reading this knows how to fix it, I'm all ears. I'll be the first to admit I don't know the answers here, but would like to.
I won't go into the "do I" or "don't I" issues with Google Authorship, but if you've had any situations with Google I'd love to hear about it. What problems are you having when it comes to setting up a brand page or an account? What's the biggest hurdle? Settings? Ownership/Admins? I'm sure there's a lot.
I don't work for an agency, but it's set up in a similar way to how an agency would manage different business accounts. Which means that one "client" (we don't call our partners clients) needs to have a presence on certain social media platforms (for SEO/Brand/Community purposes), and these accounts must be managed by a person. Fortunately we have a team of pretty amazing Inbound Marketing Coordinators that take care of creating content, managing the platforms, and growing the audiences.
I also work with a bunch of pretty smart SEOs who keep us as up to date as possible on the ins and outs of Google and what we should be doing. When they say that Google+ is important, I believe them even if I myself am not an active user. And if I don't believe them for whatever reason I can always look up what they're saying at places like Moz or Search Engine Land, which usually confirms it.
The last few months Google's been up to it's old tricks. And by tricks, I just mean it's doing what it should do by constantly keeping people on their toes so that way the best of the best content rises to the top.
Google's push for people to use Google+ makes sense in theory, but in practice might just be one of the hardest things I've ever attempted to wrap my head around when it comes to building a page, merging pages, and updating settings. We do know that Google+'s +1 feature means a lot in search results. We also know that Google Authorship will play a big role in the upcoming year. However we don't really know how to put your page in the best working order, or who to go to when we have really complex problems.
This is one example that I've come across 11 times in the last 3 weeks of how Google has been a giant pain in the ass with two of its networks:
If *anyone* out there reading this knows how to fix it, I'm all ears. I'll be the first to admit I don't know the answers here, but would like to.
- We Know: A Google+ Brand Page should be owned by a real person's email account. A real person who is creating content out there on the web.
- Easy. Sync up all the email addresses a person has with their personal Google+ profile and you're ready to go.
- We Know: A YouTube brand page should have a branded URL and a branded look.
- Easy. Create your fancy YouTube branded URL and design away.
- Make sure you're using the right email address/Google+ profile if it's a new account!
- It's Best If: A Google+ Brand Page should link to it's YouTube Page.
- Here's where the trouble starts brewing...
- The Problem: Merge an older YouTube page with a current Google+ Brand Page
- If you try and link a YouTube page with one email address to a Google+ Brand Page of a different email address, you do not have the option to choose the G+ Page you'd like to sync it to. Instead you only have the option to create a new page or a new URL.
- The Unavoidable Error: If you choose to sync the new & improved YouTube account to your Google+ Page, surprise! Your brand's name on the YouTube account may actually be erased and your personal name will be there in it's spot.
I won't go into the "do I" or "don't I" issues with Google Authorship, but if you've had any situations with Google I'd love to hear about it. What problems are you having when it comes to setting up a brand page or an account? What's the biggest hurdle? Settings? Ownership/Admins? I'm sure there's a lot.