Google recently launched plus one (+1) button, a Hugh step towards adding social aspect to search results (something similar to Facebook like button), and it’s just like the blogosphere is seriously welcoming the concept.
What is the Google +1 Button?
This is a similar concept as Facebook Like button just that in this case, it will serve in search results. It’s just like allowing website/blog visitors to endorse quality information on the web. In Google’s word, it is your friend’s way of saying “this is pretty cool” or “you should check this out”. Similar to the Facebook Like Button, Google +1 button will also show faces of +1ers contacts from Google’s products (Gmail, Buzz, and Reader).
Why use Google +1 Button?
While Google has stated that this will not affect search ranking, in the interview with Mashable, Google rep Jim Prosser said this is something that the company is “very interested” in incorporating in some form at some point in the future. Most bloggers believe that this will certainly have a significant impact on search results in the near future. So it will be a good idea that you take advantage of it right away.
Here are some points from the response by Jim Prosser, Google Representative, in an interview with Mashable about Google plus one (+1)
- It’s very easy and lightweight way to make search results more relevant.
- The number of +1s will not affect search rankings but it’s something Google is “very interested” in incorporating in some form at some point in future.
- Readers Contacts from various Google products, most notably Gmail, Buzz and Reader, will appear when they +1 a content like users Facebook profile picture show when they like a blog post.
- There are no immediate plans for integrating Twitter with +1 but for Facebook there is hardly an intention to allow Facebook users to use +1 simultaneously.
Read the full article on Mashable
How to add Google +1 to WordPress blog
Here is an article on techtricksworld.com by Atish on how to add Google plus one button to wordpress.
How to add Google +1 to blogger/blogspot
Here is how and where I placed the +1 button on my blogger blog. You’ll want to be creative with this if you already have a Facebook Like button on your blog.
Go to Design|Edit HTML on your blogger dashboard, check Expand Widget Templates
Find (use ctrl + F in firebox to find) <head> and paste the code below right below it.
Find <data:post.body/>
Paste the follow code below or above it (depending on how and where you decide to position the button)
<div align=”right”><g:plusone></g:plusone></div> (use “left” to position it to the left or remove the div tag to align to centre)
How to Use the plus one button with Facebook
I haven’t seriously experimented on this here on Blogerian.com but on my blogger blog which is currently my main blog, I had to consider some factors before finally settling for a position. Really it depends on your blog and how you think is best for you.
Initially I added the +1 button along side with Facebook like-button but it created an unpleasant space between the title and blog content. I had to display it beside the banner below post title to fill the space. This may not be the smartest thing to do, but it seems OK for me (since I’m not much of a coder). Additionally, I used this tutorial on bloggersentral to include it to the floating social media button at the left side of the blog. See this Link for how it appears on afterschoolafrica. It generally appears in three positions: below title (beside banner), Below post along with other social bookmarking sites and a floating bar at the left.
Have you added the plus one +1 button to your blog? How did you work around it? As Always, I’ll love to read your comment.
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This post might help the bloggers who are blogging at blogspot.com. Nice explained article. loved the way you explained Ikenna.
Yeah! It should help. You’ve already explained how to add it to wordpress blogs. You did a pretty neat job too.. Thanks for the comment as always Atish. You’re the man..
Nice dude. I have explained about how to add +1 on wordpress and you have described how to add this on blogspot…. Its good too see that what i have missed you did that on your blog.. thanks for completing.
It is my pleasure bro..
I am very excited to have found this post. I have been looking for ways to drive targeted traffic to my new blog using this method. I will try to implement and see how it works on my blog. Thanks.
You’re welcome Richard. I hope it helps your blog grow..
very good way to describe the importance of Google +1 Button
Thanks for sharing it Ikenna, I added it to my blogspot blog with your tips.
You’re welcome Naser. I’m glad I could help.