First, there was SEO.
Now, the advent of Facebook SEO.
Facebook "SEO" begins with the launch of Graph Search by Facebook. Image example below:
Graph search has amazing potential for businesses. Facebook Pages that are public (no country/age restrictions) are available by default to show in relevant searches within the Graph Search tool. As well, any web page, Facebook photo, or Page News Feed post that a Facebook user has "Liked" is part of the searchable data that will be available to return in results when a user submits a search query.
An important key for businesses to do now is to prepare their Page for Graph Search by evaluating the Page to ensure all information is up-to-date and best listed for search result success.
Here’s how Graph Search will work:
How can you prepare your Facebook Page to be optimized for Graph Search?
If you want your business to appear in as many Facebook search results as possible for Graph Search users, then make sure to complete:
WHAT WILL MATTER GOING FORWARD FOR YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE WITH GRAPH SEARCH?
1. Likes Matter
As noted, Facebook Likes are now more important than ever, especially for businesses. According to a Facebook blog post (http://www.facebook-studio.com/news/item/introducing-graph-search-help-people-discover-your-business), Graph Search can make it easier for people to discover and learn more about businesses on Facebook. This is because the search results are based on Facebook’s robust database, which includes information that has been shared by businesses and individual Facebook users alike. That being said, businesses with a large fan base will be more likely to turn up in searches for phrases like “restaurants in New York that my friends like.”
2. Engagement is Key
Aside from obtaining likes, businesses should focus on maintaining an engaging Page that includes quality interactions with fans. Since the search results are based on information that has been shared by businesses and individuals, interactions between a business and their fans can help the business score higher in the search results. Furthermore, Graph Search also makes interactions like check-ins even more important, because users could potentially search for phrases like “Places in Seattle that my friends have been to.”
3. Invest in your Page
Facebook states that the best thing businesses can do for their Page is to continue to invest in it and make sure that it is complete and up-to-date. Items like the name, category, vanity URL and information within the “About” section of a business Page are important. Additionally, Page owners may want to consider running promotions and deals on their page to increase fan and user activity with their Page, resulting in potentially higher search results for your Page with those individuals and their friends.
The bottom line, with Facebook's Graph Search, there is a new and unique entry into the world of online optimization that must be accounted for! Facebook is the social media destination of chose for the majority of the world, make sure your Page can be found!
Do you have Graph Search yet? You can sign-up for early beta access here: Facebook Graph Search.