Will Google +1 be used for Rankings?

[Letsurf]

Do you think Google will use +1 statistics for determining rankings in the near future?

Also, is the +1 button for your entire site or just a specific page? For example, if a person +1's an article or subpage on the site, will it count for a +1 for just that article or will it count for a +1 for the main homepage too?

[MikeFriedman]

The problem with Google using +1's for any kind of ranking factor is that it is an even easier metric to game than backlinks. That is why I don't think it will be used anytime soon.

If they somehow figure a way to keep it clean, then yeah, I'm sure they will start factoring it in.

Honestly though, unless you are in an internet marketing related niche, I don't think most surfers know what it is or care what it is. You could have the greatest site in the world, and you are not going to get many people +1'ing it.

[Clint Butler]

I on the hand believe that Google has already figured out how to integrate it in your search results.

Have you ever noticed that while your signed in to your Google account you can pictures of your contacts in the search result listings sometimes? Or how the listings are different when your logged in and when your not?

This is because the SE is taking into account your personal settings, search history, tastes in websites, and the sites you and your friends +1'd.

From Google's blog:

"So how do we know which +1’s to show you? Like social search, we use many signals to identify the most useful recommendations, including things like the people you are already connected to through Google (your chat buddies and contacts, for example). Soon we may also incorporate other signals, such as your connections on sites like Twitter, to ensure your recommendations are as relevant as possible."

I don't know what more evidence you need to see that +1 and other social indicators are taking on a big role in the SE results.

Regards,
Clint

[Letsurf]

Originally Posted by MikeFriedman

The problem with Google using +1's for any kind of ranking factor is that it is an even easier metric to game than backlinks. That is why I don't think it will be used anytime soon.

Do you think google's alg is smart enough to determine whether the +1 is coming from someone who is genuinely interested in that niche? For example, if that person likes dog training, and they have +1'd several sites and articles pertaining to dog training, and they have bookmarked sites related to dog training, and followed dog trainers... Will their +1 have more weight than a random person +1ing it?

Also,

Say I hire someone to +1 my site 50 times using fiverr. They would essentially go to their network of 50 users and +1 my site. The problem with this is that if another person hires them, the same exact users would +1 a different site. So if google takes a close look at this and finds that 50 different users +1'd the same exact sites, there is potential for a problem.

Am I way over-analyzing this or do you think this is possible?

[Letsurf]

@Clint

Yes this is what I'm talking about. And if G does this correctly it will make it extremely difficult to do SEO. Example:

A plumbing company wants you to do SEO for them. So in the past you would have quality articles written and submit, go out and post blogs, forums, build high quality backlinks, directory listings, videos, social bookmarking...

But how can you effectively build a social network for a company that's not yours? This brings up the questions about relevance. Will a +1 or "like" from a random individual (who otherwise has shown no interested in that niche) carry as much weight as a +1 or like from someone who is deeply intertwined in that niches social web?

[Clint Butler]

Originally Posted by Letsurf

Do you think google's alg is smart enough to determine whether the +1 is coming from someone who is genuinely interested in that niche? For example, if that person likes dog training, and they have +1'd several sites and articles pertaining to dog training, and they have bookmarked sites related to dog training, and followed dog trainers... Will their +1 have more weight than a random person +1ing it?

Also,

Say I hire someone to +1 my site 50 times using fiverr. They would essentially go to their network of 50 users and +1 my site. The problem with this is that if another person hires them, the same exact users would +1 a different site. So if google takes a close look at this and finds that 50 different users +1'd the same exact sites, there is potential for a problem.

Am I way over-analyzing this or do you think this is possible?

Your over-analyzing it.

Regards,
Clint

[FraserC]

Assuming the +1 system really takes off, it's going to become more and more important for search rankings. It's a completely new way for Google to get a sense if a piece of content is important and relevant for a topic. These extra ranking signals are super useful.

Of course people are going to try and game the system, but Google is going to watch their attempts and bake that into their algorithm to make it stronger and stronger.

Social is here to stay, so get used to it, and build it into your plans.

[sprice]

Social is here to stay, so get used to it, and build it into your plans.

This right here my friends... this right here.

[MikeFriedman]

Originally Posted by Clint Butler

I on the hand believe that Google has already figured out how to integrate it in your search results.

Have you ever noticed that while your signed in to your Google account you can pictures of your contacts in the search result listings sometimes? Or how the listings are different when your logged in and when your not?

This is because the SE is taking into account your personal settings, search history, tastes in websites, and the sites you and your friends +1'd.

Clint,

You are talking about something completely different. You are talking about personalized search results.

Most figures you can find will tell you that only about 7% of searches in Google are performed while logged into a Google account.

Not only has Google +1 not taken off, neither has Google+. Latest numbers suggest Google+ has about 18 million users. You know how many users Google+ has outside of the IM and IT world? 7.

The main SERPs, the ones that matter, are still untouched by +1.

[Letsurf]

Originally Posted by jasomnet

I see people start taking that +1 google stuff seriously.

I take all social media seriously. There will probably be a huge shift in SEO in the next few years and those who ignore social media will be SOL

[paulgl]

Google+1 is really for personalized searches. Which,
for the most part, are not in the mix anyway for
SEO organic searches. One reason google is now
not even including personalized searches in GA.

Besides, I don't care if my fake friends fake friend's
mother's brother's next door neighbor likes the
sloppy joes at Joe's Pig Out Cafe. Or bought a
canoe from walmart and, if I am looking for canoes,
that I actually care.

People really need to realize what +1 does and is.

Paul

[MikeFriedman]

Originally Posted by Letsurf

I take all social media seriously. There will probably be a huge shift in SEO in the next few years and those who ignore social media will be SOL

And those who put all their eggs in the social media basket now will be broke by the time that day gets here.

[PeckhamPirate]

I agree, Google+ is limited at this point, but you have to admit that Big G throws so much s**t at the wall that occasionally it sticks. Think Google Places...

Forget the G+ button and search at this point for sure, although that will come in time too.

But right now, I'd say 'panda-ring' to Google, and grabbing a nice and simple Business page on G+ will do your rankings the world of good.

We all know Google loves early adopters, we all know social networking DOES work, albeit it slowly, and we all know who's behind this one...

I've already come up with a few ways to monetise this from several different angles, a couple of which have already made me cash. First off, I'm already making G+ Business pages for clients who bought FB or G Places products from me in the past, and second, I'm selling a training package to an oursourcing guy.

Oh yeah, I also turned what I know and what I'm doing into a WSO, so that's a third income stream.

Really, I think that Google+ has so much potential for us as marketers.
I'm not too proud to say I ignored FB for way too long, and I wasn't much better with Twitter. But I've made a stack from Google Places, by being nothing more than a go-to web guy for local businesses and I intend to rinse and repeat with G+ for Business too.

[PeckhamPirate]

Originally Posted by jasomnet

I see people start taking that +1 google stuff seriously.

DO NOT pay anyone to G+ you on Fiverr.
That's really dangerous as Google will be punishing accounts that have been acting in spammy ways very soon.

Resist the urge to 'buy' likes, do it organically, the old fashioned way and you'll see a real benefit from G+ over time.

Paying someone who uses a spammy account to like you means at best you'll lose their vote very soon and at worst you'll get penalised too.

So stay natural, make a few friends and watch what happens.
I promise you'll see a difference before Christmas

I'll be your friend if you like. Hit me up via the link in my sig.

[Letsurf]

@Mike
I wasn't saying you should only do social media. But I think it's important to use a variety of SEO methods, including web 2.0 and social media. For now the basis of seo should be quality content and quality backlinks from different sources. Social media should be a support system for the rest of the links, do you agree?

@Peck
I haven't bought any and don't plan on buying any. I honestly think big G will be able to tell when people build links this way and they'll be penalized. Currently reading a book called UNMarketing by Scott Stratten to help do this organically.