Dive Brief:
- Social profiles outside of Google+ have been spotted in the knowledge graph box in Google search results.
- Previously, other social networks, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, were only appearing in the knowledge graph boxes of personalities—not corporate brands.
- Now corporate brands like Pixar, Apple, and Starbucks have the option to add in links to social networks outside of Google+, making it that much easier for people to find brand's social networks.
Dive Insight:
The update is a sign of Google+ relinquishing to the idea that brands and users want to be interconnected with all social networks. Google's stab at a social network hasn't become the powerhouse it maybe hoped, but it does have the advantage of a direct connection to the largest search engine. When brands know that having a Google+ profile will also promote other social networks in the search, it could cause more brands to utilize Google+.
