GOOGLE + Profile is a Rel="author" MUST!
January 16, 2013
A Google + profile is a must for all artists and makers.
This has nothing to do with whether you want to participate in another social network. Google+ is a tool, just like any other in your studio.
Even if Google+ may never be the Facebook it wants to be, Google is making Google+ an internet networking obligation because (as mentioned in the previous post) Google is connecting your Google+ profile to search results.
Google is connecting search to your Google + profile with Rel="author" HTML code.
If you want improved visibility for your website or blog in search results, put the rel="author" in the HTML for your website and blog. I know that sounds challenging but it is within your skill set as a webmaster of your own domain.
The first step is creating a Google + profile (if you haven't done this already) and complete your profile information.
MOST IMPORTANT, under Contributor... (scroll down to find Contributor in your Google + profile)....
ADD your website and blog under the Contributor heading as your first step to adding Rel="Author" for improved search results. Tomorrow's post will take you through the next steps.
Harriete Estel Berman
P.S. I also recommend adding all your other social networks in your profile. (An example is shown below.)