Meets Again ...

Google rolled out it’s latest attempt to socialize last week.  With Google +1, the search giant is hoping to generate as much love as Facebook’s "Like" feature. So what is Google +1 and why should you care?

Google +1 is designed to drive SEO and PPC search results in much the same way as the "Like" on Facebook. Likes are becoming an increasing important part of any search campaign. Depending on your industry and the scope of your competition, "Likes" can improve your SERPS results making it a desired search element. Google +1 is looking to take this a step further by extending its feature’s sphere of influence. And it starts at the click.

When a Facebook users Likes a product, service or post, it’s clout is undeniable but somewhat limited in that only a user’s friend network will see it. Still that reach is extending quantum leaps by the day, when you figure that last tally every Friend has an average of 160 other friends.  So, for example, a fan page with as few of 200 fans ("Likes") is reaching 32,000 viewers with every post.

This +1 is the opening that Google is hoping to take advantage of over Facebook, because they art the search giant online and - I'm sure - plan to take advantage of that dominance worldwide as they mature this feature. Google +1 will come up on Google search results making the rating available to anyone accessing Google.

The potential for Google +1 to be a success is high but it has a significant hurdle to overcome – Facebook. Facebook has proved to be two steps ahead of the game in social space. Facebook is approaching the 700 million monthly user mark.  If Facebook were a country it would be the third largest in the world.  And, it ranks as one of three top sites worldwide, along with Google and You Tube.

Google +1 is a good first step towards leveling the playing field, but does anyone doubt the social network giant will respond with something even more innovative and engaging?

What about you?  Would you rather be "Liked" or a "+1?"

One thing you can always depend upon is constant change. And, Google and Facebook prove this out time and time again!!!