Google+ Custom URLS are Now Available - Grab them Quick

Tired of that old number you can't ever remember that I always have to visit my page so I can figure out what my user id or page id is. It is very annoying so without further adeiu I pronounce to you that Google has finally made available the ability to create Google+ Custom URLS so you can personalize your Google+ page for you and for others to remember. Brand Your Google+ Site with your Custom URL for your Fans, Customers, Followers can Follow you on.

Google Expanding the availability of Google+ custom URLs

Why?  What does this Mean ?

Custom URLs are short, easy to remember web addresses that link directly to your Google+ profile or page (like google.com/+OtavioSilva or google.com/+Toyota). They make it easier for you to connect with others, as well as promote your content, and today we're significantly expanding their availability to people and pages on Google+.

If your profile meets the following criteria, you’ll now be able to claim a custom URL:
- Has a profile photo, and
- Has at least 10 followers, and
- Has an account that's at least 30 days old

Finally Your Brand has a custom link. It's About Time !

Meanwhile, any brand or business that has a linked website or is a verified local business can claim a custom URL for their Google+ page. Link and verification info is available in the Google+ Help Center: http://goo.gl/RMpxP.Once you meet the eligibility criteria, just visit your profile or page to begin the claiming process. If you don't see the option yet, don't worry: we're expanding availability throughout the week, and you'll see the in-product notice as soon as your custom URL is ready.We hope that custom URLs will help  you more easily promote your content on Google+, whether it be new photo collections, Hangouts On Air, or an interesting series of posts.  For ideas on how to include custom URLs in your campaigns, ad creatives and more, visit our help center: https://support.google.com/plus/?p=claim_url#googleplusupdate

A custom URL (or vanity URL) is a way that condenses your profile URL into something readable and easily remembered. For example, this is what a normal Google Plus URL looks like.

This is our official Wishpond Google Plus Page. Check it out!

 

And this is the Google Plus URL for a celebrity, specifically Hugh Jackman.



At the moment, not everyone can get their Google Plus Vanity URL. Google is still slowly rolling out these special custom URLs in waves, so it is unclear when exactly regular businesses can get them. However, you can make yourself eligible for Google Plus’ new initiative “Google+ Direct Connect.

What is Google+ Direct Connect?

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Google+ Direct Connect (GDC) let’s users navigate to your Google+ Page when using Google Search. When searching for a brand or celebrity, you can put a ‘+’ in front of the search term. When you use the ‘+’ operator before your search query, it tells Google that you want to find a Google+ page. For example, if you searched for ‘+youtube’ or ‘+pepsi’ on Google, you will be sent to YouTube Pepsi’s Google+ Pages, and given the option to add the Page to your circles.

 

How do I Become Eligable for Google+ Direct Connect?

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To make your page eligible for GDC you must provide a link between your Google+ Page and your website. You can do this by connecting your Google+ Page and your website using the Google+ badge, linkined your website to your Google+ Page (see steps below), and adding your website link to your Page.

Follow these steps to link your Google+ Page to your website

1. Make sure you’re using Google+ as your page.

2. Click Profile on the left.

3. On the ‘About’ tab, click the Link website button next to your website URL.

4. Follow the steps in the box that appears:

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i. Copy and paste the code snippet provided to the tag of your website and click the Test website button.

ii. We’ll check to make sure you’ve added the snippet to your website correctly.

iii. Click Done when the check is complete.

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A verified checkmark checkmark will display next to your website on the ‘About’ tab of your page’s profile. It may take a few days for the checkmark to appear.