When we think rankings, we immediately think Google (no offense, Bing). There is more pressure than ever to have a stellar online reputation, both for individuals and brands. Social media and SEO ‘gurus’ (as they very liberally label themselves) have studied the correlation between a brand’s presence on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. and there is something significant that separates Google+ from the rest. Let’s use a quick analogy here. I’m guessing that many of you reading this have gone through the laborious process of college applications. When those acceptance letters came through, it was a reflection of how you were evaluated as compared to your peer applicants—your rank, so to say. So when you didn’t get into Prestigious University X, but your friend Sally did, it left you wondering what you could’ve done differently. Sally had a little thing called connections on her side. Those connections are … Continue reading →