In the recent past, PageRank (PR) was the crucial factor in determining a website’s importance, thus influencing its placement in search results. Real-time information was then factored into the algorithm with the rise of Twitter and Facebook’s “like” button.
As of yesterday, we have Google’s newest suggestion tool – Google +1. I’m guessing it’s a way to eventually cut the cord with Facebook since it’s becoming an imminent threat.
Google’s +1 is a wicked tool that will show up next to search results (rather than just influencing it behind the scenes). Your +1 is a social endorsement of a website. According to Google, +1 is “your stamp of approval.” This is quite similar to a direct link used in factoring PR.
Differing Results
I’m not sure if you all have noticed, but if you are logged in to your Google account, you would yield different search results.
The more endorsements you gain – whether by peers or strangers – the better your search rankings will be. Here’s how it will look on a search result.
I know that it’s another thing to add to your website, but it helps. And I’m sure that Google would give itself precedence over other suggestion tools.
Get +1 Now
If you’re using Blogger, I’m sure Google has added that feature already.
For WordPress users, you can use the following plugin. It’s not great because it doesn’t allow for customizations (yet).
If you want to install it manually, it’s not too difficult.
Header
Go to your header.php file or master head file and look for </head>. You’re going to need to add Google’s API code there. Paste the following codes right before </head>.
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>
Post
Next, go to your post area (single.php for WordPress) and paste the following codes. I would add it on top and bottom of the post.
<div style="float:right; margin-right:10px;"> <g:plusone size="medium"></g:plusone> </div>
You’re welcome to change “medium” to any of the four button types:
- size=”small” – displays +1 at 15px height
- size=”medium” – displays +1 at 20px height
- size=”standard” – displays +1 at 24px height
- size=”tall” – displays +1 at 60px height
You could also display the +1 count or hide it. More information can be found here along with a lot of other nifty customizations.
Join Experiment
Start stamping your approval across the web by joining this Google +1 experiment. To learn how to do this, go to Google’s Experiment page and click “Join Experiment” on the upper right corner.
What to do next…
If you haven’t already, please add the Facebook “like” button. Afterwards, integrate Google’s new +1 suggestion tool. Since I’m not Matt Cutts, I cannot guarantee that it will change your results, but I have a good feeling it will.
For non-believers of SEO, I just have a one simple question. “When was the last time you used Google or another search engine?”
As for me, 2 seconds ago, so I guess SEO is not dead. Don’t wrack your brains on this one…
Anyway, if you have found this helpful, I always love -
- for you to share with your friends via Twitter, Facebook and I guess +1 buttons below
- comment one thing you’re doing this weekend
Catch you later,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. I’m going to try to convince Julie to watch Super 8 this weekend – yikes!
P.P.S. Some kind words from readers of my psychology for pricing e-book…
I want to try to watch Super 8 the movie.
If not, catch Kung Fu Panda 2. I know that I’m behind, but there were so many other movies I wanted to see first!
Hm. I couldn’t find the gadget anywhere in blogger.
Oh. Maybe you’ll have to give it some time since they just rolled it out. Otherwise, just follow the manual way for integration. That works too!
oops, I left my comment/question above by accident
can you elaborate on “eventually cut the cord with Facebook since it’s becoming an imminent threat.” Thank you!!!
my interpretation of this was that facebook is becoming a threat to google. so google wants to cut it’s cord from facebook (not rely on their ‘votes’ for rankings).
Thanks Lawrence! Your blog posts are soooo helpful!!! I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to SEO, but with your great advice I’m getting there! My husband is totally obsessed with Super 8! We are def. going to see it Friday when it opens. It was actually filmed close to my home town in Weirton, WV. So if nothing else it will be really sweet to see our little town on the big screen! :)
Sounds great, love all your advices. But I couldn’t find this plugin in my wordpress dashboard
There’s a link above –
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google/
thx for the awesome info Lawrence. what am i doing this weekend? – going to 1 yr old bday party and if its not too humid, spending the saturday at Prospect Park.
Thanks so much. I just added it to my blog and can’t wait to start seeing things happen. I do have a question in regards to the facebook ‘like’ button. There are so many plugins available so I was curious which plugin you would suggest?
I’m curious too. I have the Facebook comment plugin, but would like to have a general like button as well. Lawrence, for those of us using your original blog theme (Love it and thanks btw) is there a way to add the +1 and facebook like button next to the rss button?
You can, but you’ll need to manually code it demonstrated above. Find the header.php file and the RSS button codes should be there.
What would I do without you – thanks for all the info!
Thanks LC!
+1 to you man! :)
Haha thanks, Sachin! FYI, I love puns and that’s a good one ;)
Do you know if there is any chance to add this magical +1 button to a website (not blog) if I don’t have an acces to “head” part of html code!? That would be very helpful!!
Same thing, Martins. In fact, you could set the URL for where the +1 button will be dedicated for (rather than dynamically for sub-pages).
All websites have a
section. Just got to ask your web developer for help.Or you could use my contact form and an independent contractor might be for hire.
Thanks for the info! Maybe you can offer some help – I tried both the plugin and the manual installation, but when I click the +1, it gives me an error…the little box turns red with a !. Not sure what I’m doing incorrectly, if anything. I also tried to +1 a post from my husband’s computer/profile and it gave me the same error. Thoughts?
Hi Catie!
I looked on your blog and did not see it. One suggestion is to turn off existing plugins to see if you have a conflict.
Ciao,
Lawrence
Hey Lawrence,
Would you mind checking my button to see if it works for you? When I click it, I get an error message that says:
“Oops… you need a Google profile to use this feature.
Google Profiles is not available for your organization.”
:-(
Thanks!
Rima
Worked for me. Make sure that you’re logged in to Google and that you’ve “joined experiment.”
I installed the plugin for WordPress but when I go to add the codes you listed into the header file, I am warned not to change those files. I have a Pro Photo Blog. Thoughts?
Thanks for posting this Lawrence. This post is really helpful. I’ve been trying to optimize the pages in my site (www.digitalmoz.com)by adding the +1 buttons and the instructions that I found online are very technical. I am not a very tech savvy girl so I am looking the easiest way to install it. I want my website to be the best and I want people who passed by it to easily click the +1 button and with your tutorial, I have already installed it. Thanks again Lawrence.
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