Google’s +1

Coming soon to a SERP near you…

Google's attempt to make some headway against Facebook in the "social media" wars is +1 (Plus One).  This new service allows searchers to +1 or "like" an SEM ad by clicking on a grayed out +1 to the far right of an ad.  The first thing that came to mind for me is if a click on +1 counts as a click against my PPC campaign & Google assures us it does not.

When a user "plusses" "+'s" (???) an sem ad not only does it show you've plussed it spreads your plus across your social media network showing your network you like the ad which is great for the advertiser.  The ad will also ideinfy people in your network that have also +1'd an ad.

While I think this is great for advertisers because I think it will increase quality score by driving more clicks, I'm not sure consumers uptake of "plussing" will be very high.  In my social media network it takes a LOT for me to push products on my friends (ok Mac's, iPad's & blackberry's excepted) I'm into liking news articles that impact myself or my  network & if it's a comment about my beloved hockey or baseball teams I'm in for that too.

What I don't think I'll be into is +1'ing a roofing contractor from an SEO ad I see during a search for a roofing contractor, cause really when you get right down to it if I'm going to +1 it wouldn't/shouldn't I already know the company rocks & therefore wouldn't I go directly to the website or at the very least click on the organic listing?

So it's probably an intitial test for Google to see how it plays out and we all know that Google let's things die (eventually) but there is already talk about expanding +1 into organic & google places listings.  At that point maybe it will get some traction but for now I'm not so concerned with it.  +1 is also only available in the US for now but at least you'll know what it is when you see it…. if it makes it.

What do you think?