Increasing your recognition on Google is essential if you want to attract more customers and generally thrive in that environment. But how are you supposed to do that? What works?
That’s the topic of this post. If you can somehow get your head around the Google algorithm, there’s almost no limit to how much your business can grow and the amount of success you can have. All it requires is the right strategy.
So, what do we suggest?
Claim Your Google Business Profile
The first step is to claim your Google Business Profile. This is critical for any startup looking to thrive.
The reason for this is that it puts you on the map, quite literally. Google will preferentially add you to Google Maps so local people can find you.
If your business is particularly unique in your area, you may also feature on the “Map Pack” in regular search. This means your business will show up whenever users type in keywords with local intent. That’s an impressive achievement but something you can do quickly if you’re offering something unique. All you need to do is verify your business address, add the right photos, check your hours, and then spend the rest of the time building relevant trust signals.
Build A Mobile-Friendly Website
You also need a mobile-friendly website for greater visibility. Google now prioritizes mobile above almost everything else, so keep it in mind.
The good news is that the standards aren’t super high. All you need is a website that basically loads in less than three seconds and has niche-relevant content on it. It should also adjust to mobile device screen size if possible. That’s about it.
When you do this, Google will no longer ignore your site. In fact, if your competitors have done a poor job of optimizing their sites, it may allow you to earn more site links and be even more visible.
Trademark Your Brand In Your GBP
If you can trademark your brand in your Google Business Profile, that’s also a strong signal to Google that you’re legit and that it should pay you more attention. All you need to do is file with the USPTO or equivalent to protect your name and signal ownership to Google. Then, just claim your Brand Profile in Google Merchant Center.
Once you do this, it sends even stronger signals to Google that you’re really who you stay. Then, the search giant may cement your status as a business entity and provide additional perks, including things like e-commerce loyalty programs (if you have them).
Monitor Branded Search Performance
You could also explore the idea of monitoring your branded search performance. Using Google Search Console (which is free) to track various forms of branding can be highly useful in a lot of settings.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to attract both branded and non-branded traffic. Using these tools allows you to track how many leads are coming from each branch. You can then determine how critical branding is to your Google outreach methods, or whether you need to be more generic.
Ideally, you want around 80% branded search share within 6 months. Non-branded is much more competitive and suggests you’re making basic mistakes with things like keyword usage and marketing overall.
Use Targeted Google Ads
If you’re really having trouble with visibility on Google, running targeted ad campaigns can be a great way to get you out of a rut. Even low-budget campaigns can be a good way to get started in this arena and start making progress.
The thing that makes ads successful is their high-value and high-intent. People clicking on them almost always want to buy from you, even if you decide to delay.
Furthermore, there’s some evidence that Google pays attention to these ads. While it might not use them for ranking, they can make you more searchable in the long-term. You’re much more likely to appear in search engine page results and, therefore, become more familiar to customers when they look for you using your regular organic pages.
Distribute Newsworthy Press Releases
Distributing newsworthy press releases is another way to build greater visibility on Google. Again, all you need is the right approach.
It doesn’t take much to justify a press release. All you need is something newsworthy related to your firm. You don’t have to change the world.
For example, you might report a particular milestone or the development of a new website. You could also tell customers about an award you received from the industry or a new product you’re about to launch.
Once you’re on news sites, Google begins to favor your brand. Suddenly, it recognizes you as a legitimate player and wants to help you thrive.
Use AI For Search Visibility
If you can leverage AI search visibility, that can help, too. Customers are much more likely to notice you and want to use whatever it is you sell.
What’s cool about AI approaches is that you’re appearing not just on Google but also within AI tools themselves. It’s a sort of double-whammy.
What’s more, Google and other search engines will often link to your pages, which is yet another boost in the algorithm. It’s a cheeky play, but one that can really work if you get it right.
Launch Social Media Profiles
Finally, you can launch various social media profiles on websites like LinkedIn and Twitter. You could also set up on Instagram and Facebook if your business demands that sort of thing.
When you start posting regularly, start linking back to your site. Google will sometimes pull these results into search (literally showing social media feeds), giving you another channel through which to generate links. As soon as audiences see your branding, you’ll become more recognizable, and they’ll want to buy from you.
So there you have it: how to become a more recognized brand on social media. As you’ve seen, it doesn’t take a great deal of effort. All you need is the right strategy and tools by your side.
