Google+ Custom URL: Here's what happens

Here’s what happens when Google+ offers you a vanity URL. Deyan SEO page was offered a custom URL so we took some screenshots. First, you will notice a dark gray bar saying “Your page is preapproved for the custom URL: google.com/+PageName [Claim URL] Learn More”. 

Note: Their “Learn More” link seems to be currently broken, oops! Once you click on “Claim URL” button a prompt is displayed showing the URL format, terms and condition as well as option to modify URL.

If you click on the “Request a different one” you will be given the following options:

• Request a custom URL
• If you don’t like your pre-approved URL, you can request a different one.
• Requests can take a few days to review.

You may be eligible for another name, however keep in mind that this may cause further delays in authorising your custom URL. There are currently two main criteria for change from default:

1. This is the name that I am commonly known by online
2. This name is commonly associated with my organisation or brand

There is also the “Other” option for all the cases which do not fit the above two. Once you hit “Claim URL” a prompt pops up asking to confirm your choice:

The End Result

Here’s it is: google.com/+dejanseo – we tested this URL on lowercase version as well and it works just fine.

Free for a While?

It looks like Google may offer custom URLs for paying customer in the future. They also reserve right to remove custom URLs but promise to tell us before they start charging it which is nice. The question is would you use your custom URL on your printed material and signage not knowing if and when it will be a paid service?

From the T&C page:

Google+ Custom URLs Terms of Use
Custom URLs are still under development and the program may change. In particular:

We reserve the right to reclaim custom URLs or remove them for any reason, and without notice.
Custom URLs are free for now, but we may start charging a fee for them. However, we will tell you before we start charging and give you the choice to stop participating first.

You must follow the Google Terms of Service, the Google+ User Content and Conduct Policy, and the Google+ Pages Additional Terms of Service. If you violate our policies or terms of service we may take a variety of actions, including suspending your access to Google+ and your use of custom URLs.

From the screenshot on the right you can see how the new URL automatically integrates in the “About” section of the page and becomes part of your “identity”. Assuming the cost of the custom URL will be on par with domain names it might not be much of a problem, however if the price tag will be in the “premium” range then many business owners may choose to default back to their old way of displaying Google+ URL. (e.g. deyandarketing.com/+)

Who got this?

Saurabh Sharma, Product Manager at Google, posted on Google+ saying:

“Today we’re rolling out custom URLs to thousands more verified (and well-known) brands and individuals. If you’re part of this expanded roll out, you’ll be prompted to claim your preapproved URL via email and/or when you visit your profile or page.

We’re making these changes over the next few days, and we’ll be offering custom URLs to many more profiles and pages in the future. We appreciate your patience in the interim, and we look forward to hearing your feedback!”

So it looks like thousands of pages were included in custom URL offer this round but more active, well-known brands and individuals who are verified.

From Google’s “Learn More” Page

http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en-GB&topic=2400106&answer=2676340