Can you explain using the +1 button in simple language?

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   K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

   With the subdomain changes, I am hearing a lot about the "+1" button that can offer a positive impact on readership and/or page rank. Not technically savvy, I am wondering how to use the +1. Can anyone explain in 'VERY simple terms' how to get the +1 operational, implement its function, and mange its advantages?
   Thanks for you help!

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      Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The first step is to create your Google profile.  There's a section where you can add links to your HubPages profile and your "About Me" page on your website or blog (and any other profiles you have). 
      
      However the second step is to link FROM your profiles and "About Me" pages back to your Google profile using a "rel" code.
      
      HP is working on allowing us to do that on HubPages.  I've read the instructions on how to do it on my website but can't follow it myself, so I'm no help there!

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         K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Marisa, thanks this kind of helps me to grasp the notion.

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      Jason Menayanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It is a button that you can use to signal to other people, and Google, that you like something. It works very similarly to the Facebook Like button.
      
      This article, for example, has been +1ed by 10 people at current count:
      http://mashable.com/2011/08/03/beluga-whale-mariachi/
      
      What I can not possibly stress enough, even now before we release it for HubPages, is that you should not get in the pattern of only +1ing your own content (or other HubPages content). Google will know, and will likely discount (penalize?) any self-serving (or reciprocal) +1ing. That goes for any other content off HubPages, too, through the mechanism Marisa described.
      
      Since Google knows your behavior, well, forever, it would be good to start on a good foot and spread those +1s far and wide (meaning on many, many different sites and types of content). If you genuinely like something, feel free to +1 it; if you don't, you shouldn't.
      
      This is something we'll be repeating ad nauseum as we approach the rollout of the +1 button on HubPages, which will happen once we move everyone to their own subdomain.

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         K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Outstanding information Jason, and thank you. I really appreciate that you stress the over-use of the +1 can cause a NEGATIVE result for HPs and those who abuse its true design. Hard to beat Google in the "what's really going on" department. Very clear and helpful (as always).
         Thank you for your valuable time!
         PS-- Will keep Pepto on hand for "at nauseum" approach. Appreciate the heads-up!

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   bestbuys4businessposted 12 years ago

   You need to setup a Google account (gmail) and your Plus + account within that. Plus 1 is similar to Facebook's 'Like' feature.
   
   When you see a website with a +1 and click on the button you sign in using that Google account and you are registered as 'liking' the page.
   
   A great trick is to do keyword searches for your preferred keywords and 'like' you own site, but don't tell anyone I told you that it is a trade secret

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      Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Bestbuy, how do I put the plus button on HP?

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         K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Great question!

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         Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You can't. You can only put it on sites you own.  You don't own HP!

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            K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            

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               Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               OH! I was beginning to think I did...lol...just kidding.
               
               So this plus button is useless when it comes to our hubs then....what a drag!

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                  K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Bummer...useless would seem to be the word.

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   Marisa Wrightposted 12 years ago

   Oops, after reading Jason's reply I realize I accidentally went off on a tangent in my reply.
   
   Google released two new features close together:  one was the +1 button and the other was the Google+ "rel=author" feature.  The two are related in a way, and therefore I misread what you were asking, k9!
   
   +1 is a button that can be put on your website - as Jason says, it works like the Facebook Like button.  You add it to your website (but not to HubPages) by pasting some code where you want it to appear. 
   
   http://www.google.com/webmasters/+1/button/
   
   Now here's where I got confused!  There is also a thing called Google+.
   
   If you join Google+, there's a place where you can post links to your profiles on your own websites or on sites like HubPages.  Basically you're letting Google know you're a genuine author.  But to confirm it really is you and you're not just linking to some real author's profile as a scam, there needs to be a reciprocal link on the profile. Which you can't create on HP just yet.
   
   Sorry for the confusion!

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      K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are so smart Marisa; if I had to carry around all of that knowledge you have I would totally tip over!  Thank you so much for clearing up any misunderstanding. Great advice on the Google+ tool BTW! Thanks so much for your help!

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   R.S. Hutchinsonposted 12 years ago

   Do you HAVE to have a gmail account in order to start +1'ing everything? I have like 10 emails already - I don't need another one!!!

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      Nelmaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hutchinson,
      The "+1" code is available in AdSense page.
      At least for me
      Cheers

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