Google+ Shutdown and What You Need to Know
You may have heard the news – Google+ is officially shutting down on April 2nd. How will this effect your practice? We’re here to answer some of the most common questions.
What is the shutdown?
In March of 2018, the personal and private information of over 500,000 accounts on the Google+ platform was illegally shared, and Google failed to disclose the news for several months, leaving a number of accounts exposed. In addition to that security flaw and a more recent data breach, the Google+ social platform never gained the popularity anticipated. According to Search Engine Land, Google reported, ““90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds.” In the end, it’s no surprise Google has decided to shut down the consumer version of the social network.
What does this mean for my Google+ account?
You have until April of this year to export your data out of the platform, and Google has launched a transfer tool, Google Takeout, which makes the process quite easy. Simply log in to your account and start downloading by selecting your data, choosing the file type, and creating an archive.
What does this mean for my practice’s Google listing and reviews?
Nothing! Google My Business isn’t going anywhere. It’s just the consumer version that is going away, while your business pages are public and will remain a useful social connection to your practice website. Your Google My Business listing will carry on with business as usual.
My practice doesn’t have a Google My Business page. Should we get one?
Yes! Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage your business listing on Google and Google Maps. You can add business photos, links to your website, custom content, and engage with activity related to your brand, including Google reviews. Your Google My Business listing also plays a significant part in how you rank in Google search. Don’t miss out on this powerful feature!
Is there anything I should do to prepare for the shutdown?
Just make sure that your business account, Google+ profile, and any other accounts for your practice are under the same main account.
Need help with your Google My Business account or have other questions about your online presence? That’s what we’re here for. Contact us today!