Google Search becomes Social

It was just waiting for the moment that Google integrates a social feature in Google Search. The moment is there. Google recently introduced the +1 (plus one) button in the search results. It is such a feature that when it's there you think: 'ofcourse, why haven't they thought of this sooner!'

Relevant search results
The +1 button represents things like "great website!" or "check this out", comparable to the Like-button on Facebook. Your friends or family automatically see your recommendations in their own Google search results. According to Google, your search results will become more relevant with this new feature. They take the ‘+1 stamp’ into account when determining a page's relevance and ranking.

Google experimental
Unfortunately, we in the Netherlands are not yet able to use the +1 button. The button is first tested in the US for a number of users, and will soon be available in other languages. If you can't wait to try it out, Google has been so kind to make this feature available for try out on Google Experimental.

Promote your website
In the future, you can also integrate the +1 button on your website. This is the perfect way to get more organic visitors on your website, since Google is one of the greatest players in online search engines. You can already sign up if you want to install the button on your website. You'll receive an email as soon as it's available.

Google profile
In order to assign a +1, you need to have a Google profile. This way, friends and family can see who has recommended a certain search result. Just a warning: +1's are public for anyone who is socially connected, so be careful with recommendations of 'certain embarrassing sites' ;) Users are able, however, to conceal their +1's on their Google profile.
This profile makes the +1 button less approachable, but is necessary in order to connect to social media. A great advantage is that your own +1's are saved on your account. This way, users are able to retrieve the links they have found and liked on the World Wide Web, at any time.

Read more about the effects and possibilities of the +1 button on the Google Webmaster Center.