Google Follows Facebook with +1 Button
Seeming to follow in the footsteps of Facebook’s “liking” of a status or a Facebook business page, Google is implementing a “+1” button where users can “vote up” a search result that they like. According to their “learn about +1” video, they will allow for integration of +1 into websites in a similar fashion as we now see Facebook like buttons. The program is currently being rolled out slowly, but you can sign up for it at http://www.google.com/experimental/ if you want to check it out. Below is a screen shot of a blog post that I gave the “+1” to and I have encircled both the indication that it has been “voted up” (or 1 up’d) as well as the +1 button.
Now, when I look at my Google profile, I see this listed under the tab labeled “+1’s” (you can click the image below to enlarge it.)
Given that social media activity such as tweets and (Facebook) likes are having an impact on organic search engine optimization, I am sure this will play into rankings as well. Stay tuned!
The more I read about this the less I think I like it. I feel like the algorithms Google provides keep things objective in a way. If you search for something you’re supplied with results that are, for the most part, objective and not based on the preferences of other people. I think this kind of system almost puts my searches at the mercy of other people…Not only that, but if Google thinks that have issues with spam now…if this plays a significant role in SERPs results I think they’ll find themselves with a lot of fraudulent “+1″s to deal with.
i don’t like this feature either. for the sites i like i already have bookmarking. why do i need more? it seems like they want to invent smth new but don’t know why they need it…