Why Google Really Launched the +1 Button

Google recently launched a new feature on its search engine called the +1 ("plus one") button, which can be good news for legal web marketers.  Once you're logged in to Google, the button is available alongside every search result you receive.  It's designed to improve the quality of your search results by taking note of what you have previously +1'd.  It will be integrated along with Google+, which is their version of social networking and currently in the testing phase.

 

But why did Google launch the +1 button? 

Just last year, Google's CEO stated that they would like the "friends" data from Facebook in order to offer better search results to users.  Google currently allows Facebook users to scan their Gmail contacts for Facebook users, but not vice versa.  With Facebook's refusal to share information, Google opted to collect its own data and launched the +1 button.

 

So how can this affect my legal web marketing campaign? 

No one really knows Google's search algorithm with certainty, but you can bet that when you click the +1 button your future search results will be affected one way or another.  If a current or potential client clicks the +1 button next to your search result, your website and others similar to it will essentially be "remembered" for future reference. Once Google collects enough data with +1, your clients can expect custom tailored results relevant to their search.

 

Others from your network can also see what you're interested in and have the option to check it out.  This has the potential to be an alternative to valuable "word of mouth" referrals - it's just in a more discreet form.

 

With Google and other influential websites constantly upgrading their systems to enhance user experience, it can be challenging to try to keep up with the latest web marketing trends.  Don't be intimidated by the changes; they are inevitable.  We understand that you need to keep up to date with the latest to stay on top of your competition.  Give us a call for a consultation at 888-886-0939 and let us assess your current legal web marketing strategy to see how it stacks up with current trends.  Don't forget to download a free copy of our book "Google Local:  What Every Lawyer Needs to Know to Dominate."