Google+ has announced in a blog post that they are going to begin rolling out “vanity URLs.” They say, “Today we’re introducing custom URLs to make it even easier for people to find your profile on Google+. A custom URL is a short, easy to remember web address that links directly to your profile or page on Google+.”
This follows in the footsteps of other social networks like Twitter and Facebook which have allowed users and businesses to choose a custom URL for themselves to match their name or business name.
Initially, only select brands and celebrities will have access to choose a vanity URL on Google+, but it will eventually be an option for everyone.
The question is, should you take advantage of this feature? What’s the benefit to you as an individual or business?
Particularly with Google+, with their completely unusable standard URL, vanity URLs arrive not a moment too soon. Individuals and businesses who want to direct other people to their Google+ page need to be able to easily share a link, and a custom URL is far more easy to say and remember.
A vanity URL also helps lend authority to you and your brand.
This will serve to replace the third-party solutions that have cropped up to replace the ungainly URLs provided by default, though use of a privately owned subdomain may still be an attractive option to businesses.
Have you set up vanity URLs on other networks? Are you looking forward to being able to do the same with your Google+ page?