How To Add Your Google Author Picture To The Search Results.
One thing that I think is cool about the Google search results is the way your picture can show up next to your url listing in the search results. This is your Google Author picture and you can add this by means of linking your site to your Google Plus profile and sending a specific link back from your site to your Google Plus listing. The Google Author picture is your G+ profile image so you don’t need to worry about adding a different image to use.
What Use Is The Google Author Picture To Me?
It shows authority and also gives you more personal credibility. It’s also a means to prove your authorship of the site you say you contribute to in your Google Plus profile. It’s an important part of any SEO strategy these days and shows up a social interaction with Google. Also a Google Author image will help your branding and congruence to your other profiles and online presence.
So, if you want to add your photo to the search results, then you need to take a few simple steps to do this.
How To Add Your Google Author Picture
First, go to your Google plus profile and look to the top toolbar. You need to click on the “About” tab and you will go to your about me page in your profile.
Then, down the right column of the page as you scroll down, you will see a Links box and inside there is a “Contributor to” line. Go down and click Edit.
Then you need to click to edit, click the edit image in the contributor section (as shown) and enter your website URL and title.
As soon as you’ve done that, the next step is to add a link back to your G+ profile from your blog with reference to you as author. If you know how to add a link to your footer or sidebar of your blog, then it’s better to do this once and it should show up all over your site. I prefer to put the link in the footer personally. If you don’t know how to add this link then contact your web developer and get them to add it for you.
The link you will need to enter is <a href=”https:// plus.google.com/(numbers)?rel=author”>Google</a>
That’s it! You will have to wait a short time for Google to recognize and get everything added to the search listings, but you now have your Google Author image set up and ready to roll!
Hope this has helped.
To the future
Barrie Evans
Great article Barrie. Very helpful and you made a lot of great points. I know it’s usually one of the first things I notice when I do an internet search and most of the time it’s the link I click on.
Great way for people to know it’s not just some nameless face out there posting something. Everyone needs to take what you taught above it integrate it.
It’s surprising how many people want to do this, but are afraid it’s too technical. As you can see it’s not that hard. Thank you for your comment Brian.
Hi Barrie, Cool Video, This is something that is new to me. Thanks for sharing this cool tip with us, I decided to take action and implement what you have thought us in the video. I appreciate it, Thanks Barrie 😉
You’re very welcome Paudie
You’re welcome
Now we have Google + this is much easier to do than it used to be – it definitely makes a difference to people – they are much more likely to click a link in the SERP if it has a picture of the author.
Agree Lorraine.
I’m sure it will Carolyn
Very informative! Putting this on my to-do list. (So crazy, but my dad’s name is Barry Evans too!)
Hope he’s not as mad as me! lol
Hi Barrie,
Awesome post and video, this was something I wanted to cover in the challenge last time, but we didn’t get time. 🙂 This is a really great post for people to learn how to do it properly.
Beth:)
Thanks Beth
Thanks for these instructions Barry. I am now off to see if I have already done this.
You’re welcome
Once it’s changed it takes a little time to show up. If you’ve followed the instructions it should work
You’re very welcome
Barry, I appreciate the simple, straightforward instructions!! Great idea for face and brand recognition!
Puts a real person to the words Agnes
I’m SO glad you’ve done this tutorial. I’ve been trying to suss out how to do this for ages!!
I’m happy too. It’s helped a lot of people it seems.
I discovered Google Authorship in May and I absolutely love it! Since using it, my engagement with my customers and subscribers have increased and my Google+ circles have increased by leaps and bounds. Looking forward to reading more of your posts 🙂
Thank you. The author item does make a difference.
Hi Barrie,
Good tutorial! Adding an image makes the difference. People need to see you in order to trust you…in most cases 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Thanks Ryan
Subdomains can cause a problem from what I’ve read. It may be the reason that you are experiencing this.
One step at a time eh Christine? Some understand, some don’t and that’s OK. That’s why I suggested to contact somebody who may know how to do this to help if you don’t understand how.
If you don’t want your authorship information to appear in search results, edit your profile (using http://plus.google.com/me/about/edit ), and make sure the Profile discovery option Help others discover my profile in search results is unchecked.
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