Google & Me

Introduction

• Start by asking for a show of hands of anyone who has ever googled themselves before.

• What made you decide to google yourself?

• Did you have any particular feelings about what you found?

• From there, discuss the concept of digital presence and its significance in today's interconnected world.

• By now, most people have some kind of digital presence. It can come from having a social media account, signing a petition, working for a business that profiles them on their website, having their own website, being featured in a media story, being part of a team or group that lists its members, etc…

• Explain that for this activity learners will be Googling themselves, their businesses, or project ideas to see what information is readily available online.

Part 1: Google & Me

• Instruct learners to take out their devices or use provided computers to perform a Google search on themselves

• Encourage them to explore multiple pages of search results, noting what information is prominent and how accurate and relevant it is.

• What shows up on the first page of the search results? Page 2? Page 3? Further down the line if there are many pages.

• When do the results become irrelevant or not actually related to them?

• What images show up in the google search results?

• Discuss with participants by asking some of the following questions:

• Do the search results generate someone with the same or a similar name?

• Is there anything that you find that is surprising or that you didn’t know was online?

• Is it easy to find information or content about yourself or hard?

• Are you satisfied with the results?

Part 2: Google & Others

• Repeat the activity. Adding this layer to the activity aims to extend the exploration beyond individual online presence to include businesses, organizations, and other entities.

• The goal is to:

• Understand the online visibility of businesses, organizations, or projects associated with the learners.

• Evaluate the impact of online search results on the overall image and reputation of these entities.

• Encourage learners to consider the digital footprint of their own or others' professional ventures.

• There are a number of options for this next section, depending on the learners within the group:

• Invite learners who have businesses to google their own business or organization or project.

• Invite learners to google the business or organization they work for.

• Invite learners to google a group, community or team they are a part of.

• If learners have an idea for a business and have a name in mind, invite them to google that name and see what comes up.

• Another alternative is to google someone else they know who they think would be featured online prominently or likely generate quite a few google search results.

• Lastly, assign learners an SME from within the program to google.

• Discuss with participants by asking some of the following questions:

• In what ways do you think the search results affect how people see the business, organization or person you googled?

• Did you see anything positive or negative that you didn't know about before?

• Were there any surprises?

• How visible was the entity you googled?

• What images show up in the search results?

Why it matters

• Ask learners why they think it’s important to consider what comes up when they google themselves, their business, organization or endeavor.

• Some reasons might include:

• Personal image

• Professional opportunities

• Online reputation

• Visibility and networking

• Community engagement & impact

• Business credibility

• Digital footprint control

• Competitive edge

SEO Strategies

• Introduce the concept of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and its role in influencing search results.

• SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is like the digital highway that connects people to information. When you search for something online, whether it's a person, a business, or a topic, search engines like Google use complex algorithms to decide what to show you. Effective SEO is about making sure your content is like a bright sign on that digital highway, making it more likely for people to find and engage with what you have to offer.

• Think of it as a digital popularity contest. The more relevant and high-quality your content is, the more likely it is to rank higher in search results

• Ask learners if anyone is familiar with SEO or has experience with it.

• Glean learner knowledge on the topic and use it to help facilitate the next few points.

• SEO is influenced by things like:

• Relevance to Search Engines:

• Search engines use algorithms to analyze web content and determine its relevance to user queries.

• SEO aims to align content with these algorithms, making it more likely to appear prominently in search results.

• Content Discoverability:

• Effective SEO enhances the discoverability of content, ensuring that it reaches the intended audience.

• This is crucial for individuals, businesses, or organizations seeking to be easily found online.

• Higher Ranking:

• Higher ranking in search results increases the likelihood of users clicking on the content.

• Users often trust and visit websites that appear at the top of search results, emphasizing the importance of a high-ranking position.

• Optimizing Keywords:

• Keywords play a vital role in SEO. They are terms users are likely to enter into a search engine when looking for specific information.

• Incorporating relevant keywords into content helps search engines understand its context and purpose.

So what can you do with what you’ve discovered?

Lead learners through a discussion on what they can do with what they’ve learned from this activity (for themselves, their businesses, or in the future).

1. Leveraging Positive Discoveries:

1. Reflect on the positive aspects of what you discovered during the Google & Me activity. What elements of your online presence are you proud of?

2. Consider ways to leverage positive content for personal branding, professional opportunities, and community engagement.

2. Addressing Surprises and Negatives:

1. If you encountered surprises or negatives, think about strategies to address or mitigate them.

2. Take proactive steps to manage and enhance your online reputation. This may involve updating information, creating new content, or engaging with your online audience.

3. Applying SEO Strategies:

1. Now that you understand the importance of SEO, consider implementing strategies to optimize your digital presence.

2. Explore creating more web content, using social media strategically, and incorporating relevant keywords to enhance your visibility.

4. Business, Organization, or Project Impact:

1. Reflect on the Google & Others segment. How did the search results impact your perception of businesses, organizations, or projects?

2. Consider the implications for your own ventures or professional associations. What steps can be taken to enhance their online visibility and reputation?

5. Continuous Digital Footprint Management:

1. Recognize that your digital footprint is dynamic. Regularly revisit and manage your online presence.

2. Stay informed about SEO trends and continue to adapt your strategies to maintain a positive and impactful digital footprint.

6. Community and Network Building:

1. Explore how a strong digital presence can contribute to community engagement and networking.

2. Use your online visibility to connect with like-minded individuals, professionals, and organizations, fostering collaboration and community impact.