Google+ is kind of like the red headed step child of the social networks right now.  Nobody seems to know what they should do with it.  Should I use it?  Is it a waste of time?  How should I use it?  There are all types of questions floating around the blogosphere right now regarding Google+.

Here is why I think you should try to build a huge following on Google+.

When someone you are connected with adds or +1’s a website, such as a blog post, that person’s actions will show up on the FIRST PAGE of Google search if you search a term related to that post.  For example, I did a search on “website marketing” in Google and towards the bottom of the first page was a recommendation to a link that Dustin De Torres, a person that I’m connected with, posted regarding “Inbound Marketing for Targeting Specific Geographic Areas.”  See the image to the right.

Because I’m connected with Dustin and the content is similar, Google believes that I this content may be relevant to my search.  This makes sense since Google is all about providing the most relevant links possible to content that users search for and what’s more relevant than something someone you’re connected with posted?

If Google is going to promote links that you add or +1 on Google+, then it would be wise to gain as many followers or connections as possible.  That way if they search a similar topic, then your link will show.  Also, if they +1 or share your article and their friends’ search on something similar, then your link will also be displayed.

You can also see in search results that Google will display links by people and list how many circles they are in.  It appears that the more circles you are in then the more “authority” Google gives you.

Given the information above, it makes sense to build as large of following as possible on Google+.