Do You Realize The Power The +1 Button Has On Your Automotive SEO Strategy?

PCG has a number of microsites optimized for the automotive industry on popular terms like "Automotive SEO", "Automotive Advertising", as well as "Automotive Social Media".  

I periodically check search results based on a list of key search phrases I want to target via our own SEO strategies.  We always want to practice what we preach!

What happened today created one of those "Ah Ha" moments that I wanted to share with car dealers and our industry.

You first have to know that Google changes the search engine results page (SERP) if you are logged into your Google account. While logged in, Google records your past activity with the goal of making sure that it can display the best search results for your online behavior.

So, with this in mind, have you asked what happens when you click on the +1 button next to a website you like, or own. :)

Automotive Social Media Searches

Here is the SERP for the search phrase "Automotive Social Media" when I am logged out of my Google Account:

Notice that TK Carsites website located at AutomotiveSocialMedia.com is ranking in position #1 over the PCG website at www.AutomotiveSocialMedia.org.  

To clarify this screen capture, notice there are no "+1" buttons or thumbnails of my friends since I am logged out of my Google account.

Now look at the same search result while I am logged into my Google Account:

Notice a few things.  

First, Google PULLED from Page Two our Automotive Marketing Boot Camp website which has content optimized for "Automotive Social Media" into first position.  

Secondly, it placed our microsite AutomotiveSocialMedia.org into position #2,  It also pushed up websites that I visited frequently or +1'd which in effect pushed the TK Carsites website into position #5.

Also see how the thumbnail effect colorized the SERP and reminds me that my friends ALSO liked certain pages or companies.  This is VERY important for your ZMOT strategy.

Identifying The Googlized Consumer

Now, think about what this means.  If your dealership is implementing a proactive reputation management process in your dealership which uses 3G iPads or iPhones to get "Googlized Consumers" to post a review from inside the store using the Google Places App, why stop there?

When they are done with their 60 second review posting using the Google Places App, why not setup a boomark on your browser for a search that shows your key website pages one the iPad?

Hand the iPad back to the consumer and ask the consumer to click on the +1 buttons next to your key pages or at least just your home page.  

Here is what a Google search using the site command does, which in some cases is all you need to show for your dealership:

In this case, many key pages are displayed like the home page, service page, parts page, and used car pages.  So if this page was bookmarked, it would be a breeze to touch the +1 button next to the pages that the customer chooses to +1.

If your website has the +1 button on each page, most do not today, then you could also have them go to the page directly and click the button.  This may be the preferred method if Google wants you to be on the page you +1 and not just on search.

Now the bonus.  Since they are logged into their Google account, their +1 activity is recorded. Since they are logged into their Google account, their +1 activity is recorded.  

This means that when they search for car dealers in your area in the future from their home or mobile device, your website assets will get priority placement. In this example, my +1 activity significantly changed my top SERP placements.  

Mmmmmm the benefits of connecting with your Googlized customers are getting better by the day.  If your dealership needs assistance with a comprehensive IRM, SEM, and SEO strategy, give us a call.

Bonus Round

Doesn't this PPC ad look so much better with the +1 engaged? Mmnnnn looks much better than the STANDARD PPC ad running by Honda.

If you liked this article, please click on the +1 button on the BOTTOM of this page and also share it with your network on Facebook or Google+. 

Brian

Brian Pasch, CEO

PCG Digital Marketing

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Brian Pasch