What is Google +1?

Google +1′s emergence is launching a colossal battle between search engine giant Google and social media icon Facebook. Recently, the marketing world saw the launch of Google +1 which will undoubtedly become the nemesis to Facebook like. Before I forget, be sure to add me to your Google+ Circles.

Looking for info about the Google+ Project? Be sure to read What is Google+?

So What is Google +1?

Google +1 is really just one part of a larger project called the Google+ Project and represents Google’s innovative movement towards integrating Social Media within their own powerful network. For more info read What is Google+?.

Google +1 is Google’s answer to the Facebook “like” button. It’s another way that Google is continuing to integrate social media into everything it does. In a way, what it really does is add the human touch back into its own search algorithm by allowing people to actually vote for content they like. Google +1 creates a way that you can influence search results for yourself and people who are connected by giving content you “like” your own personal approval.

Google will use this information to find what you like, and recommend content that it believes you may interested in. In their own words it’s going to help “friends, contacts, and others” find the best stuff.

In order to take advantage of this new functionality, you will need to have a Google profile. And when your friends go searching for anything, they may find your picture next to search results indicating that you recommend a particular page.

When you personally give a website your “vote” by hitting the +1 button, your Google +1’s are going to be stored inside of your Google profile. You will have the option of making your Google +1’s either public where they can be displayed anywhere, or private just for your personal use. If you make them public, then the Google +1 icon will be used to recommend or show people Google knows are in your social circle that you like particular content.

Where will Google +1 show up?

There’s actually several places you may find Google +1 showing up as you surf the Internet. The first place Google +1 will show up is in your search results. You will see a little +1 next to websites listed in your Google search. You may also see pictures of your friends who recommended it. This creates something called “social proof” for that website, and will likely cause you want view that site.

Secondly, Google +1 will start showing up on the actual websites that you are visiting. Many websites these days already feature little social media icons so you can easily recommend a resource on Facebook twitter and so on. Many websites have already started featuring the Google +1 icon as well. Some of the new icons feature a counter and some do not. Counters will tell you how many people have recommended this website, which offers another form of social proof and validation for your content.

At this point, many of the up to date websites already have the icon on their sites but have not gotten many +1 recommendations as of yet. What does it mean? Personally, I believe that this demonstrates that the web designers and social marketers have embraced the concept, but that there will be a time before it’s embraced by the population at large.  I don’t personally believe that this should alarm anyone as this new technology will go through a process of gaining this public popularity.

In my humble opinion, Google +1 is going to create many opportunities in the marketplace for people who are socially connected and well plugged into Google’s own social networks. This includes Google Buzz Google bookmarks, and Google friend connect.

If this post has been helpful for you, then take advantage of the opportunities presented with Google +1 right now by adding me to your Google+ network and Click the +1 Button to vote this site up!