Google +1 Social Recommendation Tool Further Changes Organic Search, SEM and Social Media Landscape

Although presented as a “Google Experiment” Google +1, appears to be designed to rival the Facebook “Like Button”. Google clearly means business as it has partnered with Bloomberg, Reuters, Huffington Post, Mashable,Washington Post, TechCrunch and large retailers Best Buy and Nordstrom to roll it out this week.

What Google +1 Means to Businesses

Google had previously announced the use of “like” buttons and social influence on Google organic search engine results. The social media and search landscape has just become even more integrated, consumer centric, and perhaps more challenging to businesses with the introduction of +1.

Any business can add the Google +1 button to their website.  I’ve been advocating for over a year for every one of my clients and anyone that will listen to build and leverage a Google Profile. The importance of the the Google Profile has just grown exponentially for businesses.

How Google +1 Will Change Competitive Organic Search Landscape & SEO

Adding Google +1 Requires the business to have a Google Profile and requires that consumers be logged in to their Google account in order to recommend you via the +1 button. Since most consumers begin product/service research in organic search, visibility will no doubt become a vital component of the ever=changing Google Search landscape.

Google +1 , Google Adwords & SEM

The Google +1 recommendation rating will also appear on Google Adwords. We’ll see what this will look like over coming days, weeks, months. Obviously, if you are investing all your budget in SEM or paid search, you could miss out on the value of +1 in organic search and integration with social media.

How Google +1 Will Change Competitive Organic Search Landscape & SEO

Google is inserting itself in to the relationship you have with your customers. Anyone can “+1” your business, any business can add a +1 button. This spring Google adjusted their algorithm to recognize consumer sentiment in their algorithm. Google +1 takes reviews and ratings to a new level for businesses of every size. The happier your customers are, the better you are likely to do in organic search as a result of +1.