If you’re not using Google Authorship on your website by now, then you’re really behind the curve when it comes to content marketing. Google Authorship Markup allows Google+ users to connect their profile to any website for which they contribute content. In doing so, they’re listed as a website contributor in their Google+ profile, and Google can verify that they were the original source of the content.

Since its inception Google Authorship has been rumored to benefit organic search results. A quick Google search of any topic should confirm this theory. Notice the little photo next to the author name in search results? That’s a Google verified author.

(Please excuse the lousy profile picture)

Follow these simple steps to sign up for Google Authorship

• Make sure you have a Google+ profile picture with an actual face. Google likes to display people in search results, rather than company logos.
• Add a byline to your content that matches the name of your Google+ profile. (Ex: By Sean Arnell). If you have Drupal you can do this by editing the display of your blog entries. WordPress might require you to download the byline plugin.
• Ensure that name displayed in your byline matches the name on your Google+ profile. If not, it’s simple to change your display name via WordPress or Drupal.
• Make sure that your email address is on the same domain as the content you’ve published. If not, Google provides a workaround.
• Lastly, follow this link to sign up for Authorship, and submit the email address that matches your Google+ profile. Doing so will allow you to add yourself as a contributor to your domain.

Now get out there and start creating some rich content!