Google+ Unexpected Design Changes

Bea Halstead - April 16, 2012

Unexpected design changes to Google+ pages and profiles emerged this week without warning to page owners.  If you are not familiar with Google+ Pages, we included a diagram in a newsletter article,” What’s the “Plus” about on Google” earlier this year.   The original page design was reformatted to include new navigation tools, a panoramic cover image, Explore page, and additional insights that drop down from posts.  When Facebook announced the conversion to Timeline for Businesses, there was a one-month publish/preview option that gave companies time to design, and strategize how to use the new format before it went live.  With Google+ apparently page enhancements and changes will simply be introduced when already implemented. Here is a review of what to expect when you log into your Google+ Business Page account.

Page design includes a Cover image, Explore page, and new navigation tools. Originally, there were five scrapbook images those images can now be replaced with a panoramic cover image that spans behind the larger profile thumbnail at the top of the page.  The navigation to the stream, photos, circles, etc. has moved to a left hand ribbon – that is drag and drop customizable – and includes a new landing page labeled “Explore”.

On the Explore page you’ll find trending topics, recent posts, who to follow, and a “What’s hot on Google+” slider.  Personalize the amount information from “What’s hot” shared on your home page with this tool.

Search results have a new look that promotes business pages. Google+ search results used to reveal posts with relevant keywords, then required sorting to view people/page results. A new results page format includes people/page results on the right side, and sorting options at the top.

User profiles get a new Hangouts page. Although this feature is not present within business page profiles, it is important to note the change in the user experience.  With the new landing page for hangouts, users can see hang outs on air – hang outs that are recorded – or join hangouts in process.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of creating a Google+ Business Page for your company, or require a social media marketing audit to assess your performance within Google+, please contact us or call us: 800.787.0497 for help.