It may have come late to the party, but the Google +1 button is the social media plug-in that may well have the biggest impact on your website.
The Google +1 buttons allow users to recommend your website or content to other both inside and outside their social circle. Those recommendations are displayed on the all-important Google Search Engine Results pages.
And the good news is that Google have rolled out +1 metrics reports in Google Webmaster Tools that show you how the +1 button affects the traffic coming to your pages:
In the beginning Facebook had a ‘Like’ button. This allowed users to express opinions about comments and photos from their friends.
Facebook realised the value of this social endorsement and made it possible for people to ‘like’ both websites and ads too.
Now Google are getting in on the act, with the launch of the +1 Button
What does it do?
With a single click, the +1 button lets signed-in Google users recommend the content they like on the web to their friends and contacts right when it’s most useful – on Google search.
Give me an example!
‘Brian’ sees one of an AdWords ad for your hotel, or your hotel in the organic search results on Google. He likes what he sees, so he clicks the +1 button.
The next time Brian’s friend Mary is signed in and searching on Google and website appears, she might see a personalized annotation letting her know that Brian has +1’d it. So Brian’s +1 helps Mary decide that your site is worth checking out.
These ‘personalised annotations’ will help users know when your ads and organic search results are relevant to them, increasing the chances that they’ll end up on your site.
Social Signals
Since January 2010 Google has been using data from social services, such as Twitterand Flickr, as signals in organic search rankings. The +1 button will be used as an additionalsignal in organic search to help users find recommendations from their friends andcontacts. Quality scores and ad rankings will not be impacted by +1s.
Higher quality traffic
As results become more personal and relevant, users should be more likely to click, and more likely to act as well. Personalized annotations bring websites pre-qualified users, who just received recommendations from their friends and are actively looking for your content.
It’s a powerful combination that should result in more conversions and deeper engagement with your site overall.
Some questions!
Will the +1 button affect my clickthrough or conversion rates?
We believe that including the+1 button on ads will increase the overall CTR of campaigns as personalised annotations increase user engagement.
Will the +1 button impact how you determine quality score?
No, this does not change how Google calculates ad relevance & quality. Google will continue to look at ad performance relative to that of other ads for the same query, position, and UI treatment.
Should I change my ads or landing pages?
No! Google are adding +1 buttons to ads and search results on Google.com in English. Simple, compelling ads directing to a relevant landing page will continue to perform best.
Where can I see how many +1s my ads are receiving?
Currently reporting is not available, but this will soon be added to the Dimensions tab.
Why can I not see +1 buttons on my ads?
Only signed-in Google users will see +1 buttons on ads and organic search resultson Google.com in English. Also, +1 buttons are not available on Internet Explorer 7and earlier versions of Internet Explorer.
Here’s a video explaining it all
That’s it
For more information about the +1 button and how it is affecting your campaign, please get in touch.
