Recently Google announced that they introducing a new social aspect to their listing, called “Plus One”, which is their way of adding another social element to the web.
Essentially Google is giving people the option to vote “Plus One” for content they like and also give them the capacity to share this with friends.
Below is a video that explains this new Plus One concept:
Matt Cutt’s, who is head of anti-spam at Google, has made it clear that when someone votes for something, it’s a good indication that they like the content and hence that it’s good quality. Matt Cutts has also said in his videos in the past that Google do take notice of social indicators such as Twitter for their rankings (refer to this video). So it seems that this new ‘Plus One’ move by Google, is adding another dimension to that.
In my last post I mentioned that I have a ReTweet button next to each blog post, and I’m about to add a more obvious Digg and possibly Facebook link also, to make it easier for me to get votes from people through these social sites.
When you think about it, it makes sense really, as by adding more social interaction into the search results, means in theory, that better results will show up by people voting it there. However I’m sure there’s always going to be a way to manipulate that. For the past years it has been and will continue to backlinks that act as the “voting” mechanism for the best content, but it will be worth keeping an eye on how this new Plus One feature plays out.
I can’t imagine it will have a huge impact immediately, but will probably be just another signal amongst many that Google looks at.
I’ve also heard that Google will allow users to vote “Plus One” on websites outside of the search results and that it will effect the rankings of the site in the search results.
I think the social aspect of the web is only going to continue to keep growing and these moves by Google are a clear indication that they are aware of this and that they intend to harness the power of it to give them the best results in search.
Your comments and Tweets (couldn’t help but throw that in…lol…) are always welcome!
Matt Carter
Related articles
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the post on the new Google element. I think it’s one of the ways of Google trying to filter out the low quality and maybe adsense sites on the net. I’m curious in the long term if the Page Rank will be influenced if you’re getting more +1’s. What do you think?
I think as long as we deliver good contant that help people and create optimized websites we can’t go wrong.
Regards,
Stefan
Matt Carter Reply:
April 7th, 2011 at 9:29 am
Hi Stefan
Yeah I agree with you completely, it is a good thing, and as long as we product good content it will work in our favor
Matt
excellent post. I think this is going to be the next link building it will replace all the articles directories and other links farms
going to be interesting at Google engine
Matt Carter Reply:
April 7th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Hi Sharon
Yeah I agree it will be interesting to see how it plays out, but I don’t think it will replace backlinks anytime soon.
Cheers
Matt
Thank,s for good advice as always, It happens new thing all the time.
Thank you Matt for another interesting Google update.
It’s wise to engage visitors and readers, and add those social sites buttons. And keep posting quality content on Facebook Wall, Pages etc.
Br,
Tim Pond
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:37 am
Too true Tim
Thanks
Matt
Thanks Matt.
Let’s see how Google is going to handle it…
Hoping for the best…
Nice Matt!
Combine this with Feverr and we’re liked by tons of people 😉 Definitely that doesn’t mean that we need to spit out crappy sites. Quality will win, all the time.
hi Matt
Thanks for hihl lighting this new google application its got the potential to hit facebook /digg etc long term .But I also see this as yet another way to judge trends and sell advertising based on what prople are rating .I n other words we are doing googles market research for them
But then google is a way smarter that the rest of the pack and most marketers
thanks
peter mcgrath
Matt:
Good info. I agree with you that links will always be the main factor.
However, I think that change like this is good for people who will keep up and adapt.
I presume you are already working on Rapid Google Plus One Profit formula!!!!! LOL
Best…
Thanks for the update Matt
I don’t think that it will target adsense sites as long as the content is good quality. It’s about social proof that the site / content is worth a look.
I am not an expert but thats my humble thoughts on the matter but thanks for the heads up.
Jon
So does this mean the next set of SEO services you will be able to purchase is “+1 clicking”?
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:40 am
Hi Kris
I wouldn’t be surprized if something along those lines happens!
Matt
Thanks for sharing about the upcoming Google Plus One tool. I’m sure Google will try to stay one step ahead of those already plotting to see how to spam the tool to get their sites and articles boosted. I look forward to learning more about it.
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:44 am
Hey Derek
Yes I agree I think Google will be careful with how they use this feature so it doesn’t get abused.
Matt
Hi, Matt,
Thanks for the info. I’ll watch Matt Cutt’s video to learn how to apply this new tool.
Any tips on how to add a Digg and Facebook link on our sites? I’d like to do the same.
Thanks,
Christine
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:45 am
Hi Christine
I don’t actually know how to put a Digg or Facebook icon on a page, I just get designers to do that stuff for me, but perhaps someone else reading this comment can help out…
Matt
rob Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
You could always use one of the many wp plugins.
judy Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
if your using a word press platform they have a plugin that will do that there is also a footer you can put on your site through wibiya that will add digg,facebook,youtube twitter and many others if you want them.
Zee Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
hi judy,
what is the wp plugin for this?
thanks
Zee
judy Reply:
April 9th, 2011 at 10:05 am
if your on your wordpress site just go to plugins and type facebook in the browse box it will come up with a few different options that you can use.With the wibiya footer go to wibiya.com and follow the directions you can add what ever you want to this one.
Like Matt says, as long as we try to create quality content this will always win over in the end no matter what Google decide to do next.
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:46 am
Spot on John!
Matt
Thanks Matt. Any idea when this will start?
Manipulating it is easy, and like there has always been the GPT clickers, commenter, and posters there will be the Google Plus One-ers.
Is there any way Mr. Cutts will learn anything other than showing off?
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:47 am
Hi
Well it already has started but not worldwide and I don’t know for sure if it is calculated into the rankings yet, I assume not as it’s too early.
Thanks
Matt
Wow, this should be a lot easier to game than backlinks!
I think it’s smoke and mirrors. People have gotten used to the “like” buttons, so this may be google’s way of giving people what they like. Do I think it’s going to have huge sway? No. As I said, it’s way too easy to game.
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:48 am
yes I agree it is easy to game, but a lot of things are easy to game but it’s not much different that Twitter and Google has said that counts as a ranking signal
Matt
Hi Matt, i think this is another indication to all webmasters now that their content needs to be of a good standard that provides quality and relevant information. I am sure we will see more and more social aspects creeping into Googles algorithm’s as it does represent the true feelings of the readers.
Very interesting post Matt, thank you for sharing it.
Paul
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:49 am
Hi Paul
Yup I agree with you there mate!
Matt
Hie Matt,
Thanks for the post. thought i would be the first to post a comment here.
for curiosity sake, how do i add in a face book button/icon on my website? or on your theme? any idea how, or you tube would do the trick?
Hello Matt,
As usual, thanks for keeping us abreast of what ‘s going on in the world of Google. I anticipate that this will turn out to be another useful backlinking strategy. And excellent content and social interaction should equate to more traffic.
Thanks for the update Matt and also for the tip on adding Facebook and Digg to our sites.
Will there be a button for Googles’ Plus One tool?
I’ll be doing just as you instruct…next step to add Facebook and Digg
buttons to my sites…
http://MindMovies2-0.com
http://QuantumConfidence.com
Thanks Matt,
We can always depend on you to keep us up to date on the newest IM updates.
Wayne
Thanks for the heads up Matt. As a newbie just starting out it helps to get these updates in a way that I as a newbie can understand and be aware of.
Hey Matt,
Again, thanks for the timely information. Google Plus One sounds like a good addition to the social networking mix by adding another layer to peoples’ ability to legitimately recommend content they think is worth the trouble. It’s also a plus for those of us who are attempting to make the Internet a better place by providing “real value” to people out there who are searching for “real solutions”.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the post on this subject. It is always handy to have the latest information and once again you are right up there a the top with letting people know about the latest stuff to hit the internet.
Thanks again
Hi Matt,
I am thinking there is a similarity with Facebook “Like” button. I understand it is possible to post duplicate articles on the web and inside Facebook and not the twain shall meet. Or is that utter nonsense. Thanks.
Hi Matt,
My son mentioned this to me yesterday but your post is the first I have had on it from the web. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
I am only starting out at this SEO thing and after all the reading I have done this change is a real kick in the butt. I guess that’s the way its gonna be so I should just get on with it!
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:51 am
Hey Dave
I don’t think this is a kick in the butt, I hoenstly don’t think it will have much effect at all, atleast not for a while and if it does it will be one signal amongst 100’s that Google looks for.
All the best with your SEO
Matt
Thanks for the update. This is very interesting and just another reason why I need to learn more about social media and how it might affect my business. i appreciate the heads up.
Thanks for bringing our attention to the latest of Google’s offerings. Personally, I find the whole social networking thing a royal pain, but one that apparently must be endured if you want to do business on the web. I have to wonder at some point if “recommending” pages and sites – some sites now have a long array of icons to click – will be more pain than gain for visitors… 🙂 Of course Google is rarely off target.
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:53 am
Hey Mark
I know what you mean, I also find the social stuff a bit of a pain, but I think it is good to try our best to use it as much as possible. Also all the buttons on pages is a bit much, I agree with you, my thoughts are to keep it simple, Twitter, Digg, Facebook perhaps
Cheers
Matt
Matt,
Thank you for the information. Sooo many changes lately. Hopefully this continues to weed out the “bad seeds” and opens more opportunities for those of us truly trying to provide quality information to our target audience.
Have a great day – Theresa
Matt Carter Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 6:54 am
Hi Theresa
Yeah there are a lot of changes with Google, but to be honest there are always a lot, they make 1000’s of changes a year, some more obvious than others.
Thanks
Matt
Hello Matt,
I think in theory the google +1 is great, however, I think the google +Like will render this more obsolete. I’m assuming that in order to use the google +1 people will have to be logged to their google account or something. As we already know people are logged in to facebook more often than not. And people are already used to seeing the facebook like button and know how to interact with it. In my opinion, google +Like will dominate this arena. But it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Tania
Hey Matt,
Thanks for the share and I tend to agree that Google is trying to grab a share on the social media front and also in a way try to encourage sharing of good content through social media.
Just a suggestion for you Matt, would you consider using the plugin Digg Digg? And by the way is this comments section powered by Discus?
Cheers,
Lester
Thank you, Matt! You’re amazing – and I tweeted your post as a TY. I rarely do that because I don’t want people to get bombarded by a marketer, as sometimes happens, but with you I know they’ll always receive excellent information that will help them in their marketing.
You rock!
~Kate
Hi Matt,
Great post! I believe that this is Google’s attempt to create something equivalent to the Facebook “Like” button. Only time will tell if it works out for them.
Have a good one!
Jay
Interesting…I watched that video 3 times. I wonder just how much this will influence rankings on Google? Everything seems to be going social. Any idea on when +1 will start?
Thanks, Matt!
Looks like Google is copying Facebook’s like button to turn the entire web into a social network. I think webmasters and users will now have an alternative to the FB button. Will it take off? Who knows.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for giving us the heads up on this new feature Google has added. Without someone like you clueing me in this would probably have been totally missed by me! It will be a fun feature for people like me who like sharing things =)
Hi Matt,
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with Google changes. You are giving us real value in a rapidly changing, high velocity marketing environment.
Won’t be surprised when someone creates a WP plug-in for +1.
Keep up the great work!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for post and info update.
I beleive this is a clear sign from Google that the social voting system for websites is moving in a new direction and will provide high quality search results. I think it will level the playing field and give genuin sites with good qualitiy content the credit they deserve by ranking them higher.
Keep up the good work.
Matt,
I just searched google plus 1. This post ranks ahead of google.com/+1/button
Hi Matt!
This is Mpho,Can i pay you to build the website for me,because it will take me same months to be able to build website by myself.
Thanks
Mpho from Botswana
Great info Matt
Google needs to stay out in front.
Social Media Marketing is out pacing them….
dr.michael
Hi Matt,
I suppose it’s like everything on the internet today you either copy the trends or have a better angle on them or you just fade into past. Thanks for the information I will be keeping a close eye on this and see how it develops.
Cheers
Phill
Google introduced a new verb to English language. Soon people will say “please plus one my blog post” or “I just plus oned your Google Plus One Dominator sales page”.
mmm this seems far too easily manipulated, companies could hire hundreds/thousands of Indians too do the voting through anonymous proxies from all other the world, hell how long will it be before someone writes a bot to do it 😉
As you say I wouldn’t have thought it will play a big factor in the algorithm.
Still creating good content and actually ranking things people want to find is the way forward, regardless of how google chooses to vote your content, that just effects the second step, the promotion 😉
Thanks again. I agree the more social events that you can promote, the more traffic you can create. Google is for ever expanding into more frontiers.
Hey Matt
Google really would like to take over the internet. If they cann’t buy facebook they will do it in another way. Will have to see if someone writes a plus one plugin to add to websites.
Thanks
Neil
Hi thanks Matt as always ,you are the best! but I need to know exactly what are the attributes of a good content? what does good content entail?
Thank you.
I am astonished that so many of you think this is good!! My God, can you not understand how easily this is going to be manipulated. This is just another example of Google getting ridiculous and out smarting themselves.
God, what a competely idiotic idea this is!!!
So if people keep “pluss-ing” your site will that mean there will be a score in the SE’s stating this site has been “plussed” 44 times. I reckon there should be a “minus” option also to filter out all the adsense sites which google thrives off also – like they should have a “dis-like” facebook button.
Good post Matt.
Seems a great idea until you realise that Google will be keeping a record of all the things you +1’ed. It will then have a profile of your likes which it will eventually use to respond to your own searches. Some will love this, some will hate this!
I think the speed of change is a fact of life. I agree with all of the comments which say that quality will win out after all is said and done. It takes time and effort to provide quality.. and it shows. many of the websites I look at when I am searching are pure rubbish and cause me to instantly click away, so I suppose you have to try to be objective and ask yourself when you are building a site: is there enough value here to make someone want to stay?
Hi Matt
good stuff as usual. Bet some smart ‘behind the scenes russian software guru formerly KGB (Kill Google Bots) is already working in a smoke-filled dungeon in Siberia living on vodka and bread and developing that secret code which will sell for just $47 (no steakknives included unless upsell) that will add ‘+1’ to ‘your’ random blog posts etc assuring you of being treated nicely by G 🙂
Mike
Thanks for the info, Matt. It is very helpful.
I like this new idea because for the most part, people will be rewarded for developing a site with lots of great, beneficial content. I wish Google could not only find duplicate content and poor quality sites but, start to delete them as well. It feels like Its time to start cleaning up the internet!
I think this move is inevitable by Google – I just wonder how many other buttons we’ll end up having? LOL I also agree with Rob talking about have a minus button too!
Matt – I have wondered in your teachings in Rapid Profit Course, why you don’t suggest using FBook. It would appear that it is becoming more important SEO-wise?
Caroline
Matt over the past few months your emails have been really so helpful to me-this info on Google is so important to keep up with-used to have bans stores-can you believe some of them from 4 years ago are pumping-all a little strange-
However your emails are ones I never delete as you give quality info-hope your head is not getting to big to walk through door ways-lol-more unique is I hope people read my post and really delve deeper into your blog-
Thanks to you using your free template for wordpress I crank $110 a month from one blog on a product-Any way just wanted to say thank you and looking forward to future email you send out-Hope you make a big buck-You deserve it-Cya Razor
Wow.. thnx matt for the google +1 info. this big G now really cathing up on the social media trends. hey, let me plus oned u on this great article. 😉
Very Interested post…I am wondering if the +1 button will be the same as the “Retweet” button?
As an example if 200 people +1 a post, will you it show 200 +1 just like 200 Tweets?
Thanks for the post, and video
Regards,
Dev
Well, this is going to be important, and for a simple reason only: it belongs to Google. So just as Youtube is a major player, +1 will be the next thing. As such, I just disagree with everybody who says it’s going to take a long time. Too much money involved…
Hey Matt, Thanks for the new update. Really appreciate the info and will also look at adding more social media to our sites.
By the way love the Rapid Profit Formula course. As always you over deliver and provide some excellent value in your course.
Best Regards,
Jim
Hi Matt, great information about Google Plus one, but I have already heart some post on the SEO blog that some peiople will join together as a group to manpulate the ranking results by vote to each other. What do you think about this?
Matt Carter Reply:
April 10th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Hey David
I know people do create groups to bookmark and digg their own stuff, and you can do that, but I don’t want to encourage that here.
All the best
Matt
Good post here Matt, I’m watching as alot of marketer start to devise ways of gaming & monetizing this system…Can you believe i’ve gotten a sales copy in my inbox about this…It when right in the trash, just goes to show you scammer & spammer never quit.
Darryl H
Interesting, and I’m sure you’re right that it will become just one more of the many signals Google looks at. I wonder, though, about some sites that tend to draw a more “social” visitors who are apt to use this, vs sites that may be remarkable but their audience may tend to be less social and unwilling to broadcast their views. Seems like this might tend to promote certain types of sites. Or maybe not. 🙂
Hello Matt,
This will probably evolve into a full-blown content-rating system on google over time where there will be a software mechanism for searchers to be able to vote for the quality of website content on a scale of something like +1 all the way up to +5 or something like that and displaying different colored eye catching content-rating ‘buttons’ beside some of the search results linking or pointing to the best rated website content within those results.
Things constantly change and I can envision something like this as being just a small foretaste of things to come with search engines.
Matt,
Thanks much for keeping us abreast of the internet marketing changes! You do a great job for us all on this front.
Question; Since you feel quality content is still the best way to rank, with backlinking and all, how do you recommend we continually supply or have fresh quality content -especially if we are not good at writing and have limited time, Along with a limited budget?
Thanks again,
Shad
Google does it again huh..making the internet more hands on..its good for business though…thanks for posting this one surely Indeed I read it here first…thanks
Hey Matt, I think the wordpress plugin sharebar is good for getting, diggs, tweets etc. It’s very obvious as it stands out to the visitor and almost encourages them to use it.
Hi Matt,
I was not aware of this +1 tool from Google. Thanks for the information. I always feel up to date when I read your posts.
Hey neil tell me the name of the plugin you are talking about, is it adds all the buttons next to posts.
Interesting post Matt.
With respect I just have to heartily disagree with the comment that you quoted Matt Cutts as having said: “when someone votes for something, it’s a good indication that they like the content and hence that it’s good quality.”
Specifically, I would refer to the “Like” button on Facebook. I have lost count of the number of occasions where I was invited to a FB fanpage on the strength of some initial topic that seemed appealing or raised curiosity only to find that in order to view the rest of the article or content I had to first “Like” the content. I soon developed a habit of refraining “Like” button clicks simply on the basis that I was curious and had no way of really knowing whether or not I would genuinely “like” the content. Therefore I would suggest that when people (in huge numbers) are clicking FB “Like” buttons that in a sizable number of cases are actually indicating “curious” or “might like” and certainly not a resounding “like”. Someone should develop a plugin that allows FB users to select “thought I would like,- but actually sucks” vote but somehow I can’t see FB being too thrilled about that!
Cheers.
Love your work!
Russell
i tried it its working good. I worked it through google experimental , But i think who is having time to type this shortcuts. Searches always look for some information in quick time. I think this wont work for common layman . This might be useful one for technicians.
Hey Matt, I just noticed this the other day & I’ve added it to my site (won’t do no harm huh?) but I am still unclear as to what it actually does. Does it recommend sites to my google friends? cos I don’t have any 🙁 lol!
Robbie Griffiths
Bespoke Web Design Scotland
hey Matt, what are the best wordpress plug ins to use with a wordpress site?
I need them to be good with affiliate marketing.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
I’m a little concerned about abuse potential with this. It seems that how black hatters can hire people to press their button all day long.
I’ve tried installing the Google plus one button on my site without success. Anyone else have trouble? respectfully, Frederick Sallaz
frederick Reply:
June 24th, 2011 at 7:12 am
Never mind. Tried again and now I’ve got it.
john@parking sensors Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Hi Matt,
I always enjoy reading your newsletters and blog comment. I am now a member of the Adsense Guild and have enjoyed the course. Another great tip off by Matt.
Hi Matt! Thanks for sharing this information on Google +1! It was really helpful!
I have jumped on board the plus one band wagon and have been working hard to get more plus ones to my web pages.
I have tried a few plus one services and I finally found one that worked! http://www.PurchasePlusOne.com
They guarantee their results and I have noticed my search engine rankings increase after getting 100 plus ones to my homepage. I would definitely recommend their service to anyone looking to get Google plus ones.
I have just signed up with Google+ and find it still a little bit confusing. I think that it has the potential to be the next social network giant, given the time.
A good site for the Google+ tutorial can be found here.
Promoting google+ votes is becoming a very hot business. Using these types of services could have negative or positive affects on SEO.
We just have to see how google treats them. Another place to buy google plus votes is bulkones.com
Will be interesting to see how this evolves over the next few months.
Hi Matt thanks do you have to put the Google +1! on every web page? thank you as always for your kind sharing spirit .