Only launched last week Google+ now has more than 10 million users, bet this is already sending shivers down Facebook’s spine. The new social media site has a new suite of social media and productivity apps, collectively named Google+. It is already a big hit. Not sure if I would call it the New Facebook, but I like what I see so far. I was lucky to get an invite, however you can join here and wait to be invited by Google+ itself.

Why Join?

As the masters of search engine algorithms Google is ranking Google+ profiles on top in search results. That means more exposure for your profile if you are a business or most importantly for your practice or career. The best feature I like is the drag and drop feature to categorise friends in circles of your choice. You can have colleagues in one group, friends and family in another and business and so on. Facebook has it too, but this is different because you can integrate group chat and group video within your circle of friends – perfect for conferencing. It comes with a clean interface and many cool features.

Google+ gives you instant exposure

If you happen to google yourself after setting up a Google+ profile you’ll be amazed how quick your search results come out on top. For example I have been googling myself and some of my friends and clearly our Google+ profiles have come up above our other social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) every time. In fact, my Google+ profile has come up above my website about half the time. So that means with Google+ you don’t have to apply the much talked about SEO techniques for anyone to trace you. So if you want your name or business to appear close to the top of search results, you now must have a Google+ profile.

How to get a Google+ profile

• Join Google+. Click the information link in the first paragraph of this post and then click “Join.”
• Google has been doling out the invites at a glacial pace. I am expecting a few more hacks (probably 10 or so) send me an email if you want a quick invite. First come first serve.
• Read Google+’s brief and informative Privacy Guide here.
• Follow the instructions to set up your profile here.

One last important reminder

Google+ allocates unique names to URL’s, which means you cannot have two of the same names under the same profile, so be quick to grab your name before someone else does, other wise you might end up with something like ‘yourname123456′ for the rest of your career. Rush and get your vanity Google+ URL ASAP.

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