This document provides a step-by-step process for linking an author's "byline" to their Google profile to help build their author rank and improve search engine results page (SERP) rankings. It explains that Google factors author reputation similarly to how readers consider columnist credibility. The 9 steps include signing up for Google+, linking profiles on Google+ and content management systems, and sharing articles to help Google associate content with profiles over time for better SERP placement.

1. You probably heard of how Google News uses “author rank” as one of the factors for SERP
ranking. As I said in previous materials, Google tries to imitate human judgment in organizing
information on the web (they hired humans in formulating their algorithm). If you read a
newspaper, you probably have a favorite columnist and weigh the reputation of such columnist
or journalist in evaluating the quality of a news report or content. Sometimes, the value of the
news report solely rests on the credibility of its reporter.
In fact, Google displays the “by line” of the author on its SERP both in Google Web search and
Google News search (below):
In deciding whether to read this article displayed among many search results, Google seems to
factor that a reader will consider the reputation of an author, very much the reader would when
reading newspapers. It will rank articles of Vittorio on “Malaysian Airlines Flight 370” if he had
written numerous times on the topic and in subsequent searches, he will rank better if people
click on his article more than any other article of different author. That basically what is the
essence of “author rank”.
To start you off in building as well as earning your author rank, here is a step by step process to
link your “by line” to Google SERP:
1. First, you need to sign up on Google+ (Google has a bias toward their own social networking
site. It puts more value on data obtained there. It crawls Twitter and Facebook in a very limited
manner). You simply need a Gmail account. Add your friends and also ask them to add you on
their circles (Google factors this, too). Take a look at a SERP in Web search:

2. 2. Once you signed up, go to your profile. Click on HOME and a drop down menu will be
displayed. You will be navigated to your profile account.
3. Copy the url to your Google+ Profile.
4. Go to your content management system. (CMS). Usually, there is a page for your profile and
brief description there. Put the link or url to your Google+ profile there. Update or save.

3. 5. Now, usually for a publication, it curates all articles by an author in one page under its domain.
It displays your portfolio. Navigate to this site. In most publication, the “by­line” displayed in your
articles is linked to this page.
The “by­line” is linked to a page displaying all articles by Vittorio.

4. 6. Once on the page (see step no. 5), click and copy the url or link to this.
7. Go back to your Google+ profile. Click on “About”.
8. Scroll down to navigate to “Link”. Click on “Edit”. You will see “Contributor to”. Choose “Add
Custom Link”. Make sure to click “Save” at the bottom of the pop up.
It will display on your Profile under About like this:

5. 9. Now, Google can crawl your profile and add it in rich snippets for its SERP. As an additional
boon, use an appropriate profile and description on Google+ and regularly share your article
there, like Vittorio Does.

6. It may take some time before the effect is seen. So check from time to time!