Google recently launched its newest tool the +1 button. More and more online tools are being developed to enhance users social search experience. An experience that bridges the gap between SEO and Social Media Marketing. Just in case you are wondering why you should care, here is a quick overview of the Google +1 button.
What it does
It allows Google users to vote on websites by clicking a +1 button and share with their friends and online followers website they like and approve. These buttons are going to be mostly seen in search results when you search a term and you receive the Google results page. When you hover to the right of a result in Google the +1 button appears. This is not just for organic results, this will also show up for Google Ads. This will also start showing up on web pages, webmasters and bloggers are scrambling to customize and add this +1 button to their sites.
How to use it
To use you must join the experiment first on Google’s site and you must have a profile. A Google account can be set up under any email account you have, it does not have to be a Gmail account. Then you can search and start +1 sites.
Why this is important
- Google will use this tool to customize ads for searchers based on their +1 preferences. Similar to how Netflix suggests movies to you based on your ratings of other movies.
- Web analytics will measure the +1 button. According to Search Engine Watch “Web analytics may not necessarily need another metric but +1 button promises to help measure engagement. Official details on what data will stream from Google’s +1 button are not available yet, but Jim Prosser from Google confirmed that “we’re bringing data to Analytics, Webmaster Tools, and AdWords frontend soon”.
- Finally ranking factors — There are signs that this will eventually effect SEO results. Social search and real time results are becoming more important and changing the way information is being presented and exchanged.
Google is not the only search engine doing this, Bing has also launched their own version utilizing your Facebook account. To read more about the Google versus Bing tool, read here.
In short, social media is here to stay. Get online, get active and start engaging! If you aren’t out there talking about your business, someone else is and it is better to get involved and lead the conversation.