A couple months ago Google debuted its plus one (+1) button. It is essentially the same as the Facebook ‘Like’ button. Websites can display it on their pages and accumulate +1’s to better share their interests according to Google. Now that some time has passed, we want to know what you think about this +1 button and if you really care about using it.
Here’s Our Question
Is the +1 button something you use or have used? If so, why? Post your answer in the comments.
Website Integration
Early adopters quickly placed the button on their websites in order to facilitate as much positive feedback as possible. We implemented the code almost immediately and have displayed it prominently with our Facebook and Twitter information. While our Facebook and Twitter presence continues to grow, the +1 button struggles. After having monitored and even promoted the idea of using the +1 button with marginal results, we have to question why.
Google Promotion
The launch of Google Plus has helped boost +1’s for those who were invited, but on the whole those users are early adopters and tech enthusiasts anyway so passing around +1’s for each other isn’t really doing much for anyone else except to broaden the gap on search worthiness. In that same respect the +1 can’t be considered a success or failure since presumably a majority are cross connected between those Google chose as invitees. The other glaring reason is the omission of public access to Google Plus. Perhaps when Google Plus is available for everyone we’ll see just how sustainable the +1’s influence will be, but as of now we don’t see quantitative numbers to back that up.
Final Note
While we haven’t noticed significant interest in the +1 button, we realize it can potentially be Google’s algorithmic keystone and we will continue to elicit +1’s from visitors. Having said that, we can use all the support we can get to help spread our name. We’d be extremely grateful if you hit the +1 button above your favorite post, to the right of this post (under the Facebook like button) or on our Blog homepage!
Your Thoughts
Do you think Google will turn Google Plus into the next Facebook and the +1 button into the next ‘Like’ button? Does the idea of Google having a social network interest you? Are you a webmaster who has seen positive +1 numbers? Let us know in the comments!