Getting Your Thumbnail in Google Search Results
Google has made two moves in their search results pages that will impact your ability to survive in your marketplace.
Unfortunately, many folks are getting those two moves confused with each other. Consider this post clarification.
Googles +1 Thumbnails In Search Results
Firstly, there’s the +1 button on all the Google search results. It looks like this:
I’m sure you’ve seen it and maybe even had a clicky-click.
With Google+, that +1 button gets more interesting. When someone you have in your Google+ Circles has +1′d an item that YOU then search for and see in the search results, you’ll see their little thumbnail picture (and a link to their Google profile) along with the search results. Here’s what that looks like:
Danny Sullivan +1′d the Google Adwords Keyword Tool (as did I) and when I search for it, I see his smiling face in my search results since he’s in my circle.
Karen Kramer +1′d Google Adwords, and Brett Stark +1′d the Traffic Estimator, and again, because they are in my Circles, I see them in my search engine result pages.
The way Google’s got it running right now I won’t see thumbnails from people that I don’t know – just those I’ve added to Circles.
Author Profiles in Search Results
The second thing we’re seeing are author profiles in the search results. Most sites haven’t implemented this yet, so they’re not out and about super often, but you will be seeing this more and more. They look like this:
The thumbnail you’re seeing here is Google’s attempt to start correlating content publishers and writers (that’s you and me) with their Google profile. Content publishers who are using the new “rel=me” tag get a big image next to the content they’ve published and, of course, a link to their Google profile.
Why?
So that Google can start to determine which authors have credibility in a niche. It’s called “Author Authority” and they’ve indicated it’s a ranking factor.
Which Do I Want? Why? Huh?!
Now that you know the difference between the two, you want to know what it means to you!
Implementing Google +1 Thumbnails For Your Site
Right now the +1 thumbnails are affecting search results your potential visitors are seeing if they are using Google+ and have a friend in their Circles who has +1′d the item your potential customer has now searched for (perhaps an article on your website).
This is a compelling reason to implement the +1 button on your website.
Someone is more likely to click the search result that their friend, someone in their Circles, has already +1′d. That friend has vetted it for them, they’ve said it’s good via their +1. The searcher trusts the people in his Circles and his eyeballs are going to fly over to the familiar face first! You want your listings in the search results pages to have familiar faces next to them, so you’ve got to add the +1 button to your site.
(You can see I’m giving the +1 button a whirl here, give it a click if you’d like to be a part of the experiment).
But what if your audience hasn’t adopted Google+ and the +1 button yet? Keep reading, I’ll tell you about the Google+ marketing team in a moment.
Implementing Author Profiles in Search Results
These show up regardless of whether the person is in your Circles or not (in fact, the searcher doesn’t even have to be signed in to or have a Google account to see them) and are immensely important because of that. Of course, the visibility of the listing, with the larger thumbnail image is massive. It’s a completely different kind of search result that people aren’t used to seeing and it’s going to draw a lot of eyes (and thus clicks to the associated article).
What’s more interesting: the article with a real person attached to it or the bland, faceless and anonymous-seeming results around it?
Those of you who add the “rel=me” tag and get your thumbnails in the search results will see higher click-thoughs as a result. Guaranteed.
Also, these thumbnails come with a link to your Google profile. I mentioned author authority earlier, and you’ve got to know that it’s not just about the number of followers you have (Google is hip to the “follow me and I’ll follow you game”), it’s about the quality of the content you produce. With the “rel=me” tag, Google will begin to get an idea of what niches you’re an expert in and if your work is respected in your marketplace (Is it +1′d? Is it shared via Google+? etc.) With the “rel=me” tag, Google will being tracking all of that and incorporating your author authority into the algorithm when they decide whether to serve up one of your pages in the search results or one of your competitors’. (So if you haven’t already, it’s really time to step up your content game and start producing quality stuff you can put your face next to, literally).
When people see you in the search results, like Christina Warren, they can click right through to your Google Profile and add you to one of their Circles.
So how do you get your author thumbnail and profile link into the search results (like Christina Warren’s)? Joost de Valk has a comprehensive “rel=me” tutorial for WordPress users. Perhaps a plugin is coming soon Joost? 
Remember, these author profiles will show up in the search results regardless of whether the searcher is signed in to Google and whether or not they have a Google+ account. It’s imperative you start to use them because everybody will be seeing them!
The Google+ Marketing Team
I can imagine some of the readers here thinking, “Ok, I get why the author profiles are important, because everybody will see them. But I don’t see why the +1 thumbnails matter to me because none of my customers are on Google+ yet.”
But look at what Google has done here. First, they invited the digerati to Google+ and built scarcity. Then they opened the dorrs to invitations intermittently, so more tech savvy folks who asked their friends for invites could get in as well.
We’re the dorks. We’re the outliers. We’re the ones in the internet marketing, social media and search engine optimization space who own our own websites and are looking for attention in the marketplace. So we’ll implement the +1 button on our websites because we know that our own audience and friends are on Google+ and that they will see the +1 thumbnails from their friends in Circles.
And we’ll also implement the “rel=me” tag. And our pictures will start to show up in everyone’s search results. And searchers will start to click thos thumbnails and go to our Google+ profiles. But if they want to talk to us, want to be “friends,” they’ve got to join Google+ too.
We will give Google+ and our Google profiles enough visibility, as we start to add both the +1 button and the “rel=me” tag into our sites. We are Google’s marketing team for the entire Google+ project.
Sure, you could opt out and refuse the +1 button and the “rel=me” tag.
But it’s SEO suicide. You’ll suffer lower click-through ratings in the search results pages, which is a ranking factor. You’ll miss out on any author authority, which is a ranking factor. You’ll miss out on social proof via +1′s, which is both a ranking factor and a way content is spread amongst real users. Don’t do it.
You’re Playing Google’s Game Now
Takeaways?
- Get the Google +1 button on your site
- Add the “rel=me” tag to your site
- Make sure your content is good enough that people will want to +1 it and share it
Thanks Michelle, always informative.
It is getting to be a real small world out there and am loving it! Very interesting article, as always, Michelle.
Nice post. The kind of insight and clarification we’ve come to look to you for. Thanks.
Another great post thanks Michelle. Google +1 is something worth looking into. I saw on Mari Smith’s (Facebook Queen) +1 profile she has a link to about her that goes to https://about.me/, where she sets up a professional looking micro-site about her. Cool.
I’m watching to see if this article gets more Facebook Likes or Google +1′s… The social wars!
Great information here. I am going to jump on this right away. I am thinking of one of my clients who already has a ton of great content. We will get his author tags setup so that he is one of the first in his niche to start showing up.
Thanks for a clear explanation in addition to the “why we should be doing this” presented in the vocabulary we get and understand. Many thanks. Truly appreciate the first logical explanation which makes sense to me.
so…if one has 20 or more websites spread across many niches……what do you do?,, Hmmm? set up 20 google accounts with 20 different pictures to be displayed?
Question: I added the G+1 to my site and my picture is there in search results but also the site has moved up significantly on google when I typed in the keywords. I don’t even have a blog yet but the site does have content I wrote. Is a blog a must since I’m planning to create more sites like this one. If I create more, can I link the actual sites and forego a blog? It looks like the site has jumped to 10th place for its keywords and a couple weeks ago, it was at like 26,000,000. I also update it often too even though its just a simple dating site, I still add content and freshen it up.
You are walking the talk as usual Michelle and posting quality content folks will want to like or +1. I’m adding Google +1s to my sites right away and the rel=me tag too. Thanks!
Nice explanation, Michelle – Thanks! Interesting that Google has introduced two new things with very similar names – it had me confused for a few weeks!
Thanks Michelle, really useful post and thanks for linking to Joost’s tutorial too.
Thanks again Michelle for providing awesome, actionable content. With all the social environments to play in, I wonder how much more weight Google places on its own social network vs Twitter mentions or Facebook likes. Is it enough to hang in Google-land or create syndication systems to ‘get the word out’ or is the real work spending an exhaustive amount of time developing relationships across each social platform – ugh, I’m tired just thinking about it.
Not so ironic that FB did this with the OG protocol and Google was sitting up straight and taking lots of notes. Excellent article, Michelle, and I really appreciated the heads up on the “rel=me” tag.
Michelle – I was one of the people who was a little confused about what you were talking about, as it has been live for sometime now, because I have been following it myself – both the author image to the right of the content, and the smaller thumbnails that have +1′d content. Both quite big factors for sure.
Going back to late June, early July, I started noticing thumbnails, not just underneath listings in Google, but to the right of search results. This is as a direct result of incorporating the link relationship tag “me” in your links on your blog.
I am still looking for ways to make this easy for people who use WordPress, that said, it is groundbreaking, and definitely a game changer. That said, a handful of people along the likes of Joost De Valk, Mashable authors, Danny Sullivan. and more, have all been using this since the start of this month. It has been open for anyone to implement.
Yoast wrote about it early June at http://yoast.com/highlighting-wordpress-authors-search/, its a good read, and for anyone who is looking to get their profile images from Google+ or their standard google profile image listed beside their content.
Interesting we are commenting in a comment box with a fb like icon. so when will we be commenting with a google plus plugin icon.
Google seems to be really trying to corner the market with these newer techniques and are changing the face of SEO in the process. I think it is a great idea to implement these now and to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. As a web designer, I try to encourage my clients to implement Google +1 into their websites, but sadly the common person does not seem to appreciate what it will mean in the longer term. Thank you very much for this insightful post Michelle.
Great article Michelle, explaining why Google+, will become essential in the battle for website owners to get their content seen By their Target audience.
The Google+ button is not showing up in the wp-touch mobile template.
very interesting post, thx!
Faltu
Thanks for the insights!
Very helpful post, thanks Michelle. I have been thinking about implementing the +1 but for some or other reason never find it importnat enough to actually get it done. Seems like I was totally wrong and should have done it when I first became aware of it.
I’ve only just got started Michelle, so to read this is immensely helpful. As always your posts are full of good quality info and little fluff. Thanks – Caroline.
Hey Michelle,
do you have already data which is better?
+1 Button at the top or the bottom of the post?
Just was thinking… because I read your post and wanted to give +1 – but didn’t find it below.
Do people scroll back to give +1? Or do they give it before reading because of your reputation?
Like – hey, this is new post from Michelle – gotta be awesome.
Curious and happy week-end!
André
Thanks Michelle -great information!
Great! Now there is only 1 solution to increase the CTR, get into social media of Google +1
.
oh keeping up with the game thanks for the heads up Michelle.
Enjoyed reading the information. A lot to absorb but know it is something I have to get a handle on. Will be checking in to see what other info you have about it. Thanks.
could you give us an example of how to implement the “rel=me” tag into a post?
And do you know the funny thing is, as we all get locked into the information matrix by the three big players who’s owners handlers we know not… we will eventually become a soylent green society. Michelle you know this to be true. All for exposure, money and security… must run faster, right where’s the +1. (Sat morning after the Fri night, still waking up and grumpy).
On topic though, thanks for the information. It’s the soylent green thing… still in my head and how long ago was that?
Hey Michelle! Very good post and extremely powerful insight of what Google is doing here. I believe a lot of people truly appreciate your explanation, clarification. Thanks
Great article! Loads of helpful advice in here for marketers wanting to embrace G+, thanks for sharing!
Awesomeness Michelle! Thanks for this! Off to add the codes to my blogs.
One definition of a GAMBIT is a chess move where you sacrifice, say, a pawn in hopes of gaining an advantage. I can’t help but feel Google is playing a gambit here: There’s status risks and fear of NOT being invited – or attending this party, and my god, your wallet and reputation is at stake. So you’d better play this game, and implement those tags, rub elbows with the Movers & Shakers… or else. Let the Social Circle Graph MANIPULATIONS begin: Google +1 ‘Popularity’ and ‘Authority’ ranking scams already FOR SALE at Fiverr.com…
Michelle, you have this figured out. I have to believe that Google will ultimately do what it takes to provide the best content – so we better be providing it…. I agree with you!
Interesting, thanks Michelle!
As usual, Michelle; you’re on the cutting edge of this stuff. Without the benefit of your insights, many of us (speaking of myself as many…:) ) would muddle along happily wallowing in a quagmire of ‘…wonder what THIS little thingy does here…’. Thanks.
Michelle, as a dentist in Miami I’m always looking for ways to grow my practice online. This article has really helped me to put things in perspective as it relates to online marketing efforts for my practice. I will be implementing your suggestions right away to gain the social recognition that Google +1 offers.
Thanks for clearing the air! I’ve got a sneaky fealing that we better get on this bus. It’s going to be BiG.
Hey Michelle, Excellent post! As someone who regularly creates content for various sources under several different author names, should I have an image for each? Will I get penalised if I use a company logo rather than a photo? Off to work out how to do “rel=me” now
Thank you!
Michele: What an analyst…you’re exceptional. Thanks for the input. You’re keeping us in the game. Craig
I did a video for my members on Thursday about this same thing. You did a much better job at clarifying it then I did. Good post here. There are quite a few people who already have Privacy concerns with this. Since I started the Google Plus experiment myself, I have had twice the Spam I normally do to my Gmail account. I hope they are not connected.
I am going to add the same code to my site. Thank you so much for such an excellent article. Really useful and informative.
Michelle… very interesting article as usual!
Fantastic piece, Michelle. The game goes on!
Thanks for the always good information.
Hey Michelle, just found this plugin for wordpress: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/allow-rel-and-html-in-author-bios/.
Thanks so much, Michelle. I’m just starting a WP blog. Great info!
OK
Interesting, my script blocker doesn’t allow me to see +1 buttons on a page (such as this one) until I turn it off. Another note, what does this mean for niche marketers? Different G+ profiles?
I also wonder if anyone is adding the rel=me tag to old posts.
interesting stuff Michelle but will it be just more vapourware from google…do real (as opposed to imers) searchers really click that +1 button..i have my doubts!
Great post! Very clear and informative.
Ok now I see why G+ will be huge. Great post!
I agree that this is a very interesting and informative post. I will implement it as soon as possible…
Awesome Post Michelle – I must admit I’m not much of a social media expert but improving every day. Question for ya if you don’t mind: what’s the benefit of using the FB comment system over your own blog comment system?
I wonder how affiliate marketers should use the rel=me tags? People who promote a lot of different markets? Obviously we can’t be an “authority” in all of them so should we pick one or two?
Great tips Michelle especially the“rel=me” tag! That seems to be huge to me.
Michelle, as usual you are providing the right answer of any hot topic! The one which I like about you is that you are not spamming like most of the gurus out there. Thank you!
Thank you Michelle for the insight. Now I have to follow your link to learn how to do the rel=me thing.
very insightful and useful info – I had no idea this was happening, thanks so much!
This is great to read but how do I get the Google+.
Still trying to understand this entire social-media war so very helpful post.
Thanks for clarifying this Miichelle.
Thanks for the pointer, I also found this plugin for WP http://onemansblog.com/2011/07/05/wordpress-plugin-enable-rel-and-other-html-in-authors-field-for-google-and-google-search-listings/
Very, very interesting! Thanks
very interesting post, get me motivated to get these google things installed.
Call me silly….. How do I Add the “rel=me” tag to my site? Got details?
This too? http://yoast.com/wordpress-rel-author-rel-me/
would companies then have corporate profile?
I had an interesting situation when I first installed the Google+1 button on my site – for a period of 24 hours, I was shown as having a PageRank 9 website. The following day it disappeared again. So whether this was some strange, short-term effect while Google was figuring out the effect of+1 on the algorithm, who can say..
Hi Michelle – great post – it’s been an amazing progression as Google+ has launched. We started watching the debut of the +1, doing profile updates, finding your Google dashboard, seeing the author profiles become a most important attribute….now to get the client side to understand and implement.
I’m seeing 2 other 30 day buddies commenting below and was wondering if you’re involved this year or if it’s even happening? Your posts have been excellent and well worth the read –Thanks.
Was going to +1 this but don’t see your +1 button so I’ll like it.
Thanks for the clearing up the confusion and highlighting the importance of both the +1 button and “rel=me” tag Michelle. I have to admit to criticising you when you had the break last year but the quality of the info you are providing has me back following you. Thanks again for the the great article.
Michelle, Will you be adding anything into the ABS course regarding these changes? Tnaks!
LOL = I meant Thanks!
Michelle, perhaps I’m a little slow, but where’s the G+1 button on this post so I can spread the luv to my G-force?
I just tried tweeting the article and something didn’t happen and I got a 404?
google +1 will really make an impact……http://bit.ly/jobs-on-line.
Fantastic stuff Michelle – as always. I was on the webinar with Ed and Trey and this truly is a great opportunity. Love Module 1, can’t wait for Module 2.
Thanks for the explanation Michelle! Google seems to want to kill the button like on Facebook. After Google +1 and Google + we know also Google buzz and Google wave. Should I put all that on my site/blog to make moving up faster in the SERP’s?
Michelle, what if you are in 2-3 different industries or have one main industry with a main hobby? if I’m blogging and participating online for work (Local SEO for Small Businesses), but then I have a passion for my hobby which is DJing House Music and everything I ‘+’ and write about is linked to my circles, circle members’ search results and my author profile, doesn’t that create the same problem for me, and why I disliked facecrack’s system of not allowing me to segment my list or send specific messages to certain parts of my list? I don’t want my music related stuff to show up in family, Church and Customer circles- not relevant to them, and vice versa for SEO related content.
I saw Christina’s Google profile while searching for Mashable and also shared on my Google+ account but did’t really know how to get that thumbnail next to our website. Thanks for the post Michelle…:)
Thanks…very interesting stuff…I think my head hurts…
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while – thanks for all the great content sharing. What I find interesting (bothersom) is that I have to sign into Facebook to Comment – and since I use my Facebook only for non-biz stuff (i.e. for personal communication with my friends), I resist signing into facebook to post a reply on your Blog. I also , and noticed you have a Google Plus -add me to your circles) box on your web page (first one I’ve seen).
I did uncheck the Post to Facebook box, as my family and friends don’t really care about these types of discussions. So how do we keep our business and personal lives distinct?
Thank post
Google Plus SEO.
Who here knows anything about Google depricating the rel=author rel=me thing in favor of a new link to the Google profile page? I haven’t seen anyone talking about it, but Google’s documentation says the whole rel=author thing is old school.
How long does this take to show up in results I’m wondering? I checked to see if Google was picking up on my info and it is – and my new blog posts are indexing in Google fast but still no thumbnail yet ^^ It’s been less than 24 hours though.
Thank you – that’s a lot clearer than Google’s own explanation of its latest development!
Google will give search results from minute old events.
An Indian born software engineer at Google Inc. has announced that the company will now provide search results from the most recent events and hot topics.
http://www.technews5.com/2011/11/google-will-give-search-results-from.html
Does this apply to blogs for the most part? Or should I add the “rel=me” tag to the static pages of my companies website? If you want to be considered a credible source in your field, should let google know that you authored the services described on your company website?
Hey Michelle MacPhearson — do you remember how long it took before you saw your smiling face in the Google SERPs? I’ve added rel=me and seem to be passing the Google checks, but no picture after a couple of weeks.
this is nice article I did my site too but some thing to be done http://www.share2others.com.
Very interesting indeed!
Yeah I actually discovered this while back as I really didn’t kno wat this Google circle was about I started clicking on people and suddenly I find maself in a situation where am looking at what on of my frends has been searching for on Google. basketball, cnn celebrity news and stuff. very interesting
Dear all,
I have seen images as thumbnail in Google SERP. Please tell me the exact way to add this thumbnail. For the last three montha I am searching for this. I have added in meta tags but its not showing. please please please help me..
http://www.avagmah.com
How come this thumbnail doesn’t appear on Google search results, while it appears here in the rich snippet tool. Also, I was verified 30 min ago, and now I can see i’m not –> http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/richsnippets?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakeupedia.se%2F&html=.
What’s going on?!