Google +1 Button: Social Signals Added To Algorithm
Yes, it’s no secret that everything Google touches turns to gold; but can the search engine giant really compete with what is arguably the most impactful social media breakthrough of our time, the Facebook “like” button? It’s certainly going to try.
The +1 button, which launched in March to mixed reviews, allows users to click the button associated with the search results and ads that they favor. This is a way of sharing their preferences with other users, specifically those in their own networks. So is +1 a harmless addition to the “social layer” Google has admitted to attempting, or part of a larger plan? After all, rumor has it that Google is building its own social network to rival Facebook.
How does Google +1 work? Already, the +1 is visible next to search listings for users who are logged into Google accounts. For those same users, the +1 search results of people in their network (their Google “friends,” to be specific) are enhanced in a way similar to Facebook “like” suggestions. Additionally, search results that have received numerous +1’s outside of a user’s network will be similarly enhanced. For those already familiar with Google Social Search, yes: This is part of what Google has already been doing for nearly two years. But now, these unambiguous recommendations are a more targeted social feature.
Google’s go-to spokesperson Matt Cutts describes the +1 feature as “…a potential signal to improve search quality…I find social search extremely useful, especially with the recent updates. This change continues the evolution of social search, and it’s a natural progression to improve the search experience.” Time will tell just how much it improves the search experience of Google’s already-satisfied users.
