by Michelle Lentz
So, it turns out that Google Profiles have been lurking in the shadows like a shy kid at a school dance for about a year now. I only stumbled upon them last week, and now Google has decided to launch a “Google Me” campaign to get everyone to fill out their profiles. Because, you know, what the world really needs is more information about us floating around in the digital ether.
Now, if you want to create your Google profile, all you have to do is search for “Me.” Yes, that’s right—just type “Me” into Google. It’s like a digital existential crisis! The “Create Your Own Profile” link will pop up at the top of the search results, like a friendly little reminder that you exist.
Once you click that link, you’ll be whisked away to your profile page. You can log in with your Gmail account or create a new profile with any email address. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but instead of dragons and treasure, you get to enter your contact info, a photo, a bio, and your favorite websites. You can even pick a vanity URL! Just remember, if you’re using your Gmail account, you’re stuck with whatever URL Google gives you. So, if you’re like me and your name is as common as “John Smith,” good luck snagging a cool URL. I managed to grab my company name “writetechnology,” but for my actual name, I had to settle for something like MichelleLentz01. Because who wouldn’t want to be known as “MichelleLentz01”? It’s got a nice ring to it, right?
Now, I mentioned that I had a bit of trouble finding my Google Profile in search results. According to the wise sages at VentureBeat, Google’s own Joe Kraus explained that up to four Google Profiles will appear at the bottom of a results page. So, if you have a name that’s as common as dirt, you better fill out that profile with as much information as possible. The more you share, the more likely your profile will be selected for display. So, if you’re a private person, you might as well forget about being found.
I, on the other hand, decided to take the minimalist approach. I figured that with my web links, anyone who really wants to find me can just use their detective skills. Perhaps that’s why my Google Profile search results are about as effective as a chocolate teapot.
So, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to dive into the world of Google Profiles, go ahead! Just remember to fill it out completely, or you might end up like me—lost in the vast sea of the internet, hoping someone will stumble upon your profile like a forgotten sock in the laundry.
Contact Michelle with news, stories, events, and more.
Email: michelle[at]writetech[dot]net
Twitter: @writetechnology
Friendfeed: michellel
Sites: Write Technology, Wine-Girl.net