You may have heard about Google’s launch of its social network, Google+. Besides having a terribly difficult name to type and punctuate, Google intends to make Google+ more than just a social network. 

In fact, Google is looking to make its entire search experience more social. 

Google+ is radically different than any other social network out there. If you are not involved with any other social network yet, Google+ is the place to start. 

While the usage of Google+ is still fairly limited, early adopters can see an instant impact by using Google+. Why? Because Google+ affects Google search results. 

Until now, Google’s rankings were based off of a variety of factors. With the release of Google+, Google is encouraging users to click on a +1 button to share content with friends.  A +1 is a the Google equivalent of a Facebook ‘like.’ 

Google searches are becoming increasingly personalized. Your search results may be radically different from that of a friend of yours, even though you searched for exactly the same thing. 

With the addition of Google+, Google has indicated its intention to integrate your friends’ activities on Google+ with your search results. 

Google+ offers a powerful way to address an increasingly personalized Internet. You can now micro-target your Internet marketing efforts more than ever. 

Determine your target customers and then get their friends and other online contacts to interact with your Google+ page. Someday, you will not have to compete with a million other companies similar to yours. Rather, you will be able to target your efforts on users in your area who interact with your current fan base. 

If you have not yet signed up for a Google+ business page, click here  to get started.

Lee Gientke is the managing partner at Webmix Marketing. He is a noted online marketing speaker. Lee is a practitioner of bikrim yoga and cross-fit and resides in Salt Lake City. For a free copy of “Making Social Media Sell” visit www.webmixmarketing.com/cobuzz/.