Google+ can be a tremendous resource, but you need to know how to use the network properly.

These 5 quick tips for using Google+ effectively will surely boost the engagement and traffic generated from Google+. The network – naturally owned and operated by the search giant of the same name – possesses several inherent benefits that are unique to the platform. Yet, so few people are properly utilizing the channel.

By implementing these tips for using Google+ effectively it won’t be long before your activity on the network becomes one of the pillars of your social media marketing success.

Engage with Your Audience

Though many critics argue that Google+ is a desolate wasteland on the web, the reality is that there are hundreds of millions of accounts, and even if a fraction of those are active, it is more than you will find in most other forums.

Engaging with your audience – whether it is on your account, your business page or in a community – is going to be crucial to finding success on the network. The loudest critics are often those that are not taking full advantage of the networks many features.

Build Your Circles

Shared circles are an under-utilized and under-appreciated feature on Google+. Did you know that there are plenty of users our there with hundreds of circle members that you can join for free? Search for public circles, or take advantage of the app Public Circles to find already existing communities and join in. And speaking of communities…

Join as Many Communities as Possible

Communities – one of the newer features on Google+ – set the network apart from the rest of the social media world. Communities are groups of individuals with a common, expressed interest. Furthermore, unlike Facebook, there is no EdgeRank-type algorithm that limits what these community members can see within the community; effectively, you post it, they read it.

Sharing relevant content to different communities is a great way to boost your exposure, engagement and referral traffic from the network.

Remember the Benefits to SEO

Google+ is Google. In 2012, Google’ Senior VP of Engineering, Vic Gundotra noted that Google+ is a ‘social layer’ to Google, and that everything the network does will now take social into account. When it comes to SEO, that means that Google+ will add tremendous weight to your search rankings.

Use Google Authorship

Finally, take advantage of the Google Authorship feature – the benefits to both SEO and authority are outstanding.

This relates to the tip above. The Google Authorship feature is weighted quite heavily by Google when determining search rankings. Google registers when you have been featured on another blog or website, and brings everything together under the Google+ umbrella to increase your rankings.

By taking advantage of these tips for using Google+ effectively you can be sure to see your activity, engagement and referral traffic boost.

Have you already implemented any of these tips? How have they helped your activity on Google+? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!