Google Powers Up The +1
Google has increased the significance of the ‘+1’ button on Google+, changing its function so that more +1’d posts feature in the Google+ stream.Before, a +1 would only inform the content’s publisher which users appreciated what they had posted, consequentially appearing in these users’ streams. If a user wanted to draw a friend’s attention to a particular post, they had to share it with them.
Users were only notified about a friend’s +1 via an ‘activity update’, which would provide them with the most basic details of a post. Now, if a user +1s a post, it might appear in the Google+ streams of other users in their circles.
The changes to the +1 make it even more similar to the Facebook ‘Like’, a tool which can help posts get ranked in the news feeds of a user’s friends. however, Google has not released information concerning how a +1, or a share for that matter, will affect a posts chance of appearing in a friend’s stream. In the announcement post, Google’s Shimrit Ben-Yair says that Google+ will “occasionally highlight posts that were +1'd by people in [a user’s] circles”, which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is very vague, giving no indication which +1’d posts will be highlighted and why. In fact, the wording almost suggests that the process will be entirely random.
I’m not suggesting that Google be completely transparent about their post ranking software (that would be ridiculous), or even that they release an EdgeRank-like algorithm onto the web, but it would be useful to know how much both +1s and shares are taken into account, and if they are taken into account together. For example, will a friend’s article shared publicly have more significance than an article they have +1’d, or vice versa? The only way to find out, I suppose, is to experiment.
Despite Google’s secretiveness, the new and improved +1 button will undoubtedly help users get their articles and posts more views on Google+. The more streams a post appears in, the more likely it is to be seen and clicked on, gaining the user who posted it a wider audience.
Users can still control who sees the posts they +1 by changing their account settings, but if they decide not to, only their friends who have permission to see their +1’d posts will see them, just in a new place. Users can also filter the +1’d posts they see in their stream, so if a friend or a circle are a bit scattergun with their +1s they can alter their settings so any content said friends do +1 doesn’t appear in their stream – learn more about how to do this here.
What do you think of the new +1 button?
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below.
Will Sigsworth
Follow us @SocialMediaF & @WillAtSMF
Or go to our Facebook page.
Google Powers Up The +1
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Rating:
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Rating:
Anonymous
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.