Today Google officially launched the long anticipated Google+ Pages, which finally gives bands, brands and businesses an equal footing on the social network.  There's a slightly confusing two button system:  fans can  recommend you with a +1 or add you to a circle to have your updates appear in their stream. Google has also integrated search with  two ways to add pages to circles from Google search.

The first way to add pages via search is by including Google+ pages in search results, and the second is a new feature called Direct Connect. For example, maybe you just heard that your favorite band is coming to town. with Direct Connect search for [+], followed by the page you're interested in (i.e. +AllAmericanRejects). Google will take you straight to their  Google+ page, and if you want, we’ll add them to your circles.

In fact, Oklahoma rockers All American Rejects are Google's example of a band using Pages (here).

Google+ Direct Connect Demo:

Google+ Pages is rolling out over the next few days, and you'd be smart to grab you band or brand name asap. Find out if Pages has been activated in your Google account here.