Google Rel=Author Markup: Why Your Picture Needs To Be In The Search Results

Chances are you've come across a search result with the author's name and photo next to their search listing. Users tend to gravitate towards these results as they stand out on the crowded page. Yet few businesses have taken advantage of this feature. The internet is saturated with content similar to yours and having your author information appear is a simple (and free) way to add prominence and credibility to your search listing. According to a recent article by Search Engine Land, only 1 in every 5 Google searches shows Rel=Author (a.k.a. author markup) in the top 100 results, so it's the perfect time to jump on board before your competitors do.

Author markups enable the author of the webpage to link their content to their Google+ profile page (which has to link back to the site for 2 way verification). Doing so shows a rich snippet of their Google+ profile (your image, name and link back to the profile) next to their webpage in the Google search results. Be warned, however, I have seen some instances where Google hasn't accepted someone to participate in this relatively new experiment, but the benefits far outweigh this possibility.

What Benefit Does Author Markup Offer My Business?

In case I haven't sold you enough on the idea, according a recent study on the impact of rich snippet markups on traffic, the number of clicks increased by 150% once the rich snippet was added.

Let's take a closer look at why click-through rates increased dramatically. Author markups:

Highlight your listing. For free, I might add. It now stands out from the 4 out of 5 results that don't have an author markup attached. Anyone can see it. Even users who aren't logged into their Google accounts or their social media accounts will still see the rich author info and photo. Provides credibility. Info for rich snippets is taken from a verified Google+ profile. Increased exposure. Your name is hyperlinked with your Google+ profile URL so if people like your article they can easily visit your profile.

Author Markup And SEO Benefits

Cutts previously featured in a Google Webmaster video discussing the introduction of author markup. In this video, his colleague Othar Hansson alludes to author markup having SEO benefits. "It's early days, we hope to use this information, and any information as a ranking signal. We want to get information on credibility of authors from all kinds of sources to use as ranking signals," Hansson says.

Now SEO professionals are speculating about Author Rank; the idea of assigning a higher level of trust and authority to content created by verified authors. In other words, the better the content is, the more trusted the author becomes and the more trusted their future content becomes.

While the SEO benefits have been widely debated, it does make sense. Who seems more trustworthy? Content created by verified authors who have created previous quality content over less reputable writers appearing in the search results? Google is aiming for an SEO-less world where content ranks based on its quality, rather than how well optimized it is. Associating a verified and trustworthy author to content and having it as one of the ranking signals will help Google determine quality content. The best SEO software in the world can't give you this kind of exposure on the search engines!

How Do You Implement Author Markup?

It's a little daunting when you're not an SEO professional but it's a lot simpler than you think. Basically, you just need to link your Google+ profile to your blog (which has to link back to the site for 2 way verification). Follow Google's instructions on author markup listed here and reference step 1 and 2 below for further clarification for Google's instructions on verifying your email address and how to find the "Contributor to" section on Google+.

If you encounter any problems, try following all the instructions I've detailed below:

Step 1. Create a Google profile or a Google+ account

Use an email address with the same domain as your blog and verify the account using the email they send to you after you sign up. Once you view your profile, under the heading "Work" you can add your email address and you will see a grey circle with a tick next to it to show it has been verified.

How To Implement The Google Rel=Author Markup

Supposedly as long as you post on the same domain as your email, and the posts have the same byline as the name on your Google+ account, this is sufficient for Google to link your articles to this account. But just to be safe, I wouldn't stop at this step.

Step 2. Link your Google+ profile (through the "Contributor to" section) to your blog

What Is The Google Rel=Author Markup

On the right hand side panel, click on "Profile".

Click on "Edit Profile" just on top of your cover photo.

Scroll down the page and find "Contributor to" links.

Click on these words to open the edit box.

Now just enter in your blog URL.

Step 3. Link your blog to your Google+ profile

In each article page, there needs to be some reference to the post's author in order for this to work. Placing this link in your "About me" or author bio is best. I could include a paragraph in my bio page requesting readers "Visit me on my Google+ Profile for more Google+ tips and tricks" with "Google+ Profile" pointing to this your Google+ profile URL. Here is the general code:

<a rel="me" target="_blank" href="[Your Google+ Profile URL]">[description of what the link points to]</a>

4. Link your individual content to your Google+ profile.

Now that its implemented, when you write an article, simply link your name in your byline (your hyperlinked name that appears under the article title) or author box (often at the bottom of the page with info about the author) to your blog author page with the

Rel=Author code.

Here is the general code:

<a rel="author" href="[Author page URL]">[Name]</a>

Tip: If you use WordPress, there are plugins, such as Author Box Reloaded, that will add the markup for you automatically. They will also add your image and icons to all the social networks.

5. Test this connection

Google provides a testing tool to verify your author markup and simulate what your webpage would look like in the search results. But be warned that this tool can indicate false errors.

There you have it. Now go and link your old blog posts to your Google+ profile. While this has been clearly implemented for Google's own self interest (forcing you to use their social network) author markup provides anyone who creates online content, particularly small businesses to get their content to stand out.

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Using Keywords With Google AdWords

The whole point to Google AdWords is the keyword phrases used. This is what will either spell success or failure for the advertiser and is why so much weight is placed on keyword selection. Keywords are ranked by popularity and this is determined by how often they are used by people conducting searches on the Google search engine.

The keywords can then be bid for by advertisers wishing to use them in their ads. The highest bidder is often ranked higher on search pages but this is not always the case. Google recognizes relevance in ads as well so if your ad is more relevant than that of the highest bidder for a keyword selection, then your ad will rank higher in the search results.

Keeping this in mind, you can use your money and keyword selection to your benefit where you don't end up over spending in an attempt to get the highest bid but simply spend smartly so that your ads are improved in quality and relevance according to Google. This is what will determine the success of your campaign at the end of the day.

Choosing Your Keywords

With millions of searches being conducted around the world at any given minute, the possible keywords up for selection is endless. How then do you decide on what to use? Google AdWords Keyword Tool is a great way to get to the bottom of this problem. It gives you all the information you will require in order to make an informed decision about what keyword phrases to bid for.

The first step would be to think about your product or service and then, from a user's perspective, think about what they would search for if they wanted your product or service. Enter in a keyword phrase and then see what results the Keyword Tool gives you.

You will be able to see the popularity of the keyword, how much it will earn you and how many searches were conducted using that specific keyword over a given period of time. By playing around with the word combination, you will be able to find one that best suits you. For instance, if you are a used cars retailer, "used cars" might be the first keyword phrase that comes to mind. However, you might find that refining that to "buy used cars" or even "used cars online" will give you better results.

Benefits Of Google AdWords

It is one of the most affordable and powerful marketing tools in the world today. You will only have to pay for every person that clicks on your ad, which saves you money and increases your chances of converting clicks into sales.

You can easily track and monitor the progress of your campaigns. This aspect affords you the power of effective and constant ad management, which results in greater chances of success and also saves money in the long run.

Google is the leading search engine around the world and a brand that is established and trusted by all. This lends credibility to your business and does the hard work of winning the trust of potential customers.

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How To Set Up Google Places for Local Business Owners

So you are a local business owner looking to start with internet marketing services for your business.

One of the best places to start is by using local business directory websites such as Google local, Yahoo local, Bing local, Superpages, Yellowpages, Foursquare, 411, mapquest, local.com, MerchantCircle.... to name a few of the top local business listing websites and local business website services.

As Google controls about 65% of all search, Google local is perhaps the best place to start, second being Yahoo local, third being Bing local. These local business listing websites on search engines and mobile search engines can have a tremendous impact on most local business owners bottom line if the submission process is executed properly.

Now if you are a business owner and think that you have no need for using these local business directory websites, you are sadly mistaken, and we can prove it. Simply search in Google, a keyword pertaining to your business along with the area you are in- I.e- "NYC carpenters". You should see numerous local listings search results for just about any service or business in a specific area. By performing a simple search, you should see that your competitors are already using Google local maps for their business and possibly the paid Google local pay per click service for Google maps business listings.

Local Google Listing Tips For Business Owners -

First and foremost, keep keywords in title, description, and anywhere else keywords could be used that pertain to your business and also the area your business services - I.e"NYC carpentry" add all pertinent information- categories of industry, keywords, store hours, brands/products,main services add videos add pictures,logo tracking 1-800 phone number Add offers and coupons frequently to your listings

Google Local Business Listing Services

Once you have added all relevant information to your businesses Google maps listing, you will be asked to confirm all information of the listing. Once you have confirmed your business information, you will be asked how you want to confirm your Google maps business listing with Google for final approval. There are generally two options, one being a postcard, which is sent out by Google to your business address. On this postcard is a special pin number that you will need to enter into your Google maps business listing before Google lists your Google maps business listing in search engines and mobile search engines. The other option for final confirmation of your local Google business listing is by confirming by phone/mobile phone. This method works similar to the first option, meaning you select the "phone confirmation" option, Google then calls the business phone number entered in your Google business listing dashboard with a pin number, you then simply enter this pin number in the input field on the same page you selected the phone confirmation option.

After your Google listing is confirmed, your local business listing should be live within 24-48 hours.

Does this sound a little to confusing for you? If so,you could use a Google local business listing service or a Google Maps listing service to get this type of internet marketing completed for your business.

Local Business Marketing and Local Advertising Online

It is highly recommended that your business not only uses local business directory websites, but also other forms of organic search engine marketing services and internet marketing services. By doing so, your business would receive more exposure to its storefront, website, local online business listings, social media profiles, and content and media sites. Effectively using internet marketing services and mobile marketing services can ultimately provide more traffic, exposure, phone calls, leads, and sales for your business.

The question you need to ask yourself is- Can your business afford NOT to use internet marketing and internet advertising services, mobile marketing and mobile advertising services, and local internet marketing services?

We will leave it you, your business, and your main competition...

How to Make Money Online Writing Articles - An Introduction   Strategies Always Matter in Search Engine Marketing   The Mad Hatter: An Online Media Planner's Many Roles   Three Key Questions Before Starting Your Social Media Campaigns   Can You Optimize Your Own Website?