+1 Metrics Included in WMT

This was to be expected after the world wide release of the +1 in the serps.

I like that it was added to webmaster tools and not (just) Analytics.

Google hoping more people adopt the +1.

Like WebmasterWorld has here at the bottom of the page. JavaScript now permanently turned off while on this site.

So, as webmasters how do we react to the new Google +1? Do we encourage our visitors to "+1" our content like "likes" on FB? Do we have to worry about the black hatters hiring teams of off-shore teams +1'ing all of their pages in the SERP's?

I think it'd be great if everyone collectively refused to add the button, but that's just not going to happen.

Now that it is integrated in to WMT, people will feel they have to add the button if they want to compete in the serps.

Is 'blackmail' too strong a word?

sadly ... I have already added the buttons to all my blogs ...

Now that it is integrated in to WMT, people will feel they have to add the button if they want to compete in the serps

I don't feel that way. If Google thinks they can force me, or entice me, to add this to my sites, they are mistaken.

I hate the idea of "popularity" controlling the SERPs! It's SEARCH NOT SOCIAL!

sadly ... I have already added the buttons to all my blogs ...

I expect most will eventually :/

This tool is awesome. Definitely going to encourage webmasters to adopt +1.

Is it weird that I don't feel the need to share links all the time? Is it weird that if I find a story someone would really like I just email the specific person the link?

I never bothered to set up Likes, but I'm trying +1. Not because it's Google per se, but because they've hinted they will (one day) factor the data into their ranking algo.

I also don't like that my sites could get a Chrome Block on them but no chance at redemption from +1.

sadly ... I have already added the buttons to all my blogs ...

Me too, I added it when I first saw it wmt, we'll see how it goes, if it ends up helping might as well be ahead of those who wait, even if I don't like a row of ugly buttons on my pretty site...

My comment of disabling JavaScript is not me lashing out at Brett and crew. For me the +1 is just the straw that finally broke the camel's back.

I feel strongly enough about my stance that if disabling JavaScript would have interfered with basic forum functionality my next course of action would have been to abandon this forum. I'm happy that was not necessary. From what I can see all that has been disabled is Twitter, Google Analytics, as well as +1. I can live without them and am grateful that I can stick around and continue to share my often-times counter-balancing points of view.

It's up to each of us individually, not just here, but anywhere on the Internet, what we will continue to view as acceptable. I'm not going to be critical of people choosing to accept it, or websites either. My choice is to not co-operate with what I consider unhealthy trends. I don't care if that means being left behind in SERPs. If it eventually comes to that I'll just move on and re-invent myself once again.

SevenCubed wrote:
My comment of disabling JavaScript is not me lashing out at Brett and crew. For me the +1 is just the straw that finally broke the camel's back.

I have to admit that I don't see the reason for your reaction. It seems that not clicking on the things would be just as effective.

My choice is to not co-operate with what I consider unhealthy trends.

To each their own, but I really don't see how simply allowing a site to display these widgets is in any way "cooperating" with the trend. I would think that allowing these widgets to be displayed and not clicking on them would send a much clearer message of "I acknowledge your existence and refuse to participate."

(I have no doubt that Google and Twitter track a loads-to-clicks ratio, although it would probably be difficult to differentiate between "not clicking because the content is uninteresting" and "not clicking because I disapprove of your widget".)

--
Ryan

[edited by: rlange at 8:10 pm (utc) on Jun 30, 2011]

I have to admit that I don't see the reason for your reaction. It seems that not clicking on the things would be just as effective

Tracking and profiling. And LOL, I just found out that disabled JavaScript interferes with editing, oh well I'll work around it manually.

Like WebmasterWorld has here at the bottom of the page. JavaScript now permanently turned off while on this site.

That's only a trap. If you click on it, you get permanently banned from webmasterworld.

Does +1 affect my site’s performance in search?
Content recommended by friends and acquaintances is often more relevant than content from strangers. For example, a movie review from an expert is useful, but a movie review from a friend who shares your tastes can be even better. Because of this, +1’s from friends and contacts can be a useful signal to Google when determining the relevance of your page to a user’s query. This is just one of many signals Google may use to determine a page’s relevance and ranking, and we’re constantly tweaking and improving our algorithm to improve overall search quality. For +1's, as with any new ranking signal, we'll be starting carefully and learning how those signals affect search quality.

Seems like a little more than a hint...

Seems like a little more than a hint...

Yes, seems like blackmail.

As for Google's comments as quoted above by limoshawn -- sorry Google but my friends are not for sale.

It looks like people are already selling +1s, I think this is going to be big business for the spam/seo guys. [32go.co...]

Would love to hear Brett's thoughts on this and why he has added +1 to WebmasterWorld so quickly :)

... so quickly ...

Normally, I am a very late adapter.
But I caved today. I put it on several of my top pages.

I think it was the fantasized terror of potential dropping SERPs.
"She ... was left behind. Sad. If only she had added the code."

I am guessing that doing +1 may be the way to go.
On the other hand, it could become unusable (spam, manipulation, low acceptance, etc.)

Is anyone seeing any significant number of +1 usage reported in webmaster tools? Enough to get demographics to work for instance?

I'm not.

I really just think no one cares about this. It's Facebook like or nothing for most users.

just added to to our sites next to the facebook like. hmmm i too feel blackmailed into doing it, but i don't think one can afford not to.

before i added to our site, only 2 people had +1'd our site from the serps - so no real stats in wmt

p.s. i think even the way they have sized it is rather sneaky. the "small" version is too small to be usable, but the "medium" size is just noticeably bigger than facebook's or twitter's. it's not cricket.

just added to to our sites next to the facebook like. hmmm i too feel blackmailed into doing it, but i don't think one can afford not to

Are you sure?
I don't think that Google will penalize sites that don't add the +1.
If you do add the +1 and it doesn't get clicks, then that would be another story.

Also, doesn't the fact that you add the +1 tell Google that you are SEOing your site? I believe that one of the elements of Panda was that Google was giving better rankings to sites that were clearly not SEOed.

hi chris i don't see that as being a problem.

we use analytics, have used adwords and even adsense sometimes - i doubt there's anything google doesn't know about our site ;)

we do have interesting content though and have benefitted greatly from facebook likes. if google can get people using the +1 then i believe we only stand to gain.

however i'm not sure how many people in our target area (uk mainly) actually have google accounts and will be logged in to use the +1. if you are not logged in, then the +1 doesn't even appear

as you point out, at the moment on our pages we have a big fat zero next to the google +1 next to lots of facebook likes. hmmmm. if we see no movement over the next month or so we can always take it off.

I believe that one of the elements of Panda was that Google was giving better rankings to sites that were clearly not SEOed.

whether it's called seo or not, allowing people to share and recommend your content is simply good, common sense.