Google Goes Social

Google goes social with its new +1 feature

Google +1, a new feature released by the search engine giant, adds a social component to Google Internet searches. When you are logged into your Google account, you can “+1” any search results, which your Google contacts will be able to see. It serves a similar purpose as the Facebook “Like” button, allowing users to receive more customized search results and will eventually be incorporated with +1 buttons on websites.

With these options, +1 may help make the activity of searching a collaborative effort. Some people -- including this blogger --prefer the simple, pragmatic search, accuse Google of trying to imitate Facebook and maintain that search is meant to be a private, not shared, experience.

It will be a few months before everyone sees the +1, but those who are interested can visit Google.com/experimental to start using the feature right away. As of right now, Google says that the new feature will not affect search rankings, although it is something they are looking into incorporating in the future.

What kind of effect will this new feature have for marketers and advertisers? For now it’s predicted to have a positive effect by keeping brands and their advertisements in check. With consumers having more input on websites and brands, marketers will be held more accountable if they want to get that “+1” ranking from consumers.

Here’s more:

What Google Plus One (+1) is All About (The Faster Times)

Ad Industry Execs: Google’s +1 Could Hold Us More Accountable (Mashable)

-compiled by Katie Ostrowka

Posted By: Digital Trends Team