Google to Compete with Facebook Like Button With +1 Button in SERP

It is simply a small button next to each search result which when clicked on will show the users approval of that site thus refining the search results with user reviews.

While this could be seen as yet another attempt to get noticed on the social networking arena, Google actually expects this tool to have a direct impact on their organic rankings by a signaling what content is most relevant to viewers.

Even though the button is currently being offered to a select group of users as an experimental service, there's no doubt that the company will soon be rolling it out to world wide users.

Here is how Google explains the button:

When you have lots of options in front of you, it's easy to find yourself wishing for a bit of advice. That's why we're introducing the +1: a way for you and your friends to help each other find great things in Google Search. When you click +1, you're telling your friends, your family and the rest of the world: This is something you should check out.

I have included the video from Google below for more information.

Some people are comparing this button to Facebook's like button feature, however there are two main differences. Firstly Facebook is a content site Google is not. Google's purpose as a portal is to get you out of Google to external pages with the click on an organic search result or an ad whereas Facebook's purpose is to keep you in Facebook. Secondly since the +1 feature is only available to Google users it is clear that Google will use it to encourage people to sign up for Google profiles and Google places accounts which seem to be quite a limitation for this tool.

We will have to wait a few months before we actually get to see and use this new button in the search results. Until then, users will have to be content with Facebook liking and tweeting their favorite sites.