Are You Getting the Benefit of the Google +1 Button?
Google has been working on the +1 button, and in the last month or so it has changed character. It used to just add a count on your profile, where nobody saw it, but it’s now similar to the Facebook “Like” button, which is what I suspect Google had in mind all along. So what does this mean to you?
The big benefit I see in the +1 button is the ability to share content with specific groups of people, using Google Plus‘s “Circles”. One of the frustrations I have found in Facebook is that this capability, although it exists, is not easy to implement. I have over 4,000 “friends” on Facebook, and clearly not all of them are interested in the same topics.
Let’s suppose I’m working with Google Plus and have three circles: “Friends and Family”, “Colleagues” and “Internet Marketers“. If my dog gets fleas I might choose to tell my friends and family, and perhaps my colleagues, but it’s doubtful if any internet marketing friends would find that very interesting unless they happen to be marketing flea powder. (As it happens, I don’t have a dog, so please don’t inundate me with anti-flea information!)
On the other hand, if I have just found a new web hosting package that I like, most of my friends and family won’t be remotely interested, but my colleagues and internet marketers may be. Do you see how neat this can be for segmenting your market and avoiding spamming family and friends? I really wish this was as easy to do with Facebook.
What is the Benefit of the Google +1 Button?
You guessed it! Google uses the +1 ratings to help rank websites. Of course, it’s not all they use, but it can certainly help your site to get better SEO rankings and hence more traffic.
Here is a video from Google explaining how you can use this new capability:
Try it out now by “+1“ing this article!
PS: If you figure out how to join the preview group, let me know! Google has not released the new capability to the rest of the world yet 
Since I wrote that I found how to join the preview group. The information there is pretty technical, though, so I decided to wait for Google to release the new version rather than attempt to do it myself.
Here is a link to the information you will need if you decide to go for it now:
http://groups.google.com/group/googleplus-platform-preview/browse_thread/thread/3eb1cdac3f607d66
Let me know if you’re successful!
Alan
Alan Jenkin recently posted..Google +1 Button – What it Means to You
Hi Alan,
This is an informative and useful content I am keen to know more.
You have written a simple but valuable tips to help people like me to pay more attention on google +1. Although I have created my profile there but not much of attention have I given to it.
Now that you have made comparison with facebook, I find that there is a need for me to explore more on this area.
Many thanks, Alan
By the way, how are you ? Guess it’s time for us to catch up soon ! 
Cheers
Pearly
Pearly Quah recently posted..Shortage of Water in the Body
I have about Google+ a few months ago but I haven’t really paying attention about this. However, after reading reviews and feedback about Google+ , I guess I would really have to give it a try. And your post is really informative, which gives us adequate information about this topic..
Tony Tate recently posted..“EDU-CAUTION!”
Thanks, Tony – I’m glad you found it useful. Google has really started to push this now, and Facebook is making changes which appear to be in response to Google+.
Cheers
Alan
Alan recently posted..Google +1 Button – What it Means to You
Great information Alan … I actually do own a dog, hum, well err somedays it feels more like she owns me, but anyway – cute graphic!
marquita herald recently posted..The Research on Gratitude
I believe dogs are like that! I had one once, but lost it
Alan
Google+ just went public, and also added some big new features, including a search box. You can read about it at http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/google-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-100.html
Maybe now the +1 button will do what it’s supposed to – I’ve had it work for me recently.
Alan
Thanks, Pearly – I’m pleased that you found it helpful.
Yes – we need to have a chat sometime soon. I’ve had a bad cold (or something like that) so have been struggling lately, but it’s getting better
Best
Alan
Alan recently posted..Google +1 Button – What it Means to You
Great review! You actually covered some great news on your blog. I came across it by using Google and I’ve got to admit that I already subscribed to the site, it’s very great
Hey Alan,
Thanks for writing this. It puts context behind why I should pay more attention to google +1
I joined a while ago and have noticed a bunch of people being part of my circles. Google still is the place to be fore SEO, so I guess we will all have to get our school caps on and get on top of this new boy on the block.
Thanks again for pointing out why!
John Gaydon recently posted..The Beauty Of Residual Income
They just went public, so now anyone can join. Until then we had to be invited. It will be interesting to see how fast it grows: already I’m seeing a lot more posts.
Thanks, John.
Alan
Great post, Alan! I am definitely learning a lot about the way Google+ is working, and I really like the way that it is doing its own thing rather than trying to be another clone of the other social networks out there! Thanks for finding this post to explain what this great feature does!
Steve Nicholas recently posted..Checking Your Pace
Thanks, Steve! TSA Mastery is a great way to find blog posts that we would otherwise miss – I’m enjoying yours and pleased that we’ve made contact.
Alan
Hey Alan,
Awesome article and video with regards to the new Google plus one feature. I admit that I am not that active on Google Plus as of yet but I do recognize that it could be another fantastic method for us to connect, build relationships, and form business partnerships around the world.
I will of course Plus One your article!
Thanks for sharing Alan,
Kevin
Kevin DeRoo recently posted..Chris Farrell Tells All
Thanks Kevin. I’m still learning about it myself, but can see how it can be useful. Facebook is now responding and giving us the opportunity to segregate messages to friend groups like Google+ does with circles.
Thanks for the Plus One!
Alan