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This article was published on June 26, 2014

Google will stop showing authors’ Google+ profile pics and circle counts in search results


Google will stop showing authors’ Google+ profile pics and circle counts in search results

Authorship in Google search results is one of the primary reasons that many in the media are on Google+. The ability to put your name and face next to articles that you wrote — as shown below — is seen as an opportunity to get more traffic from search results.

Screenshot 2014-06-26 13.13.53
Not for much longer. Google is removing images from authorship, though search results will still include the name of the author and a link to their Google+ profile. Another detail being removed is the number of circles an author is in, Search Engine Land notes — perhaps because it is an indicator few writers use Google+?

Google’s Webmaster Trends analyst John Mueller says tests showed the change improved click-through rates. That’s quite the statement, since it contradicts Google’s original thinking — only time will tell if it rings true for publishers.

➤ John Mueller on Google+ | Via Search Engine Land

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Related: Google debuts updated Authorship program and adds embeddable posts, all using Google+ Sign-In

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