So I am confused about the +1 button, sure I added it to my blog, and one or two of you have even clicked on it. I also joined Google+ where the +1 button is also available on every post. Yet there seems to be no connection between the +1 button on a site, and the +1 button in Google+.
Here is Google’s explanation of the +1 Button
While many refer to the +1 button as Google’s answer to the Facebook ‘Like’ Button they are really not the same at all. If you have been following me for some time now you know I am not a fan of the ‘Like’ button, I will occasionally like a status or photo on Facebook, but never use the button on external sites (feel free to like my blog though 
) but I digress.
The +1 button on web sites is used to deliver better google search results, though I am still not sure how to see a persons +1s. In Google+ people are using the +1 button (which is different then the share button) and you see the count incremented on a post.
Here is the catch though. First when I look at my profile to see my +1s I only see sites that I used the +1 button on, not items I +1 in Google+ itself (confused yet?).
Second if I post one of my blog entries in Google+ and other people +1 it, that is not reflected back on my site in the +1 counter. Compare this to the Tweet button which counts tweets to that post regardless if the button is used or not.
So I ask you what exactly is the +1 button supposed to do, and why is there seemingly no tie whatsoever between the +1 button in Google+, and the +1 button on a site?
Yes this is very confusing!! Hopefully someone can provide some insight!
I think it’s another sign that google+ is still not quite ready for primetime. It may serve their needs well, but I get the sense it isn’t really serving yours. As an experiment I’m +1’ing this post to see what happens.
Incidentally, it’s one of my biggest gripes about the engineers that build these things – they come up with ideas they think are very clever, and institute them without bothering to ask their customers. Who naturally get ticked off at changes made without much warning. FB is much, much worse about this than google [/rant]
Hi Mitch! I believe that if you will follow https://www.google.com/webmasters/ under your Dashboard, there is the so called “+1 Metrics” there you will be able to find deeper data about the usage of +1 in your website. I got it also in my blog, and simply works. 🙂
I have looked at the webmaster tools, and yes it does give you a little more information on the button activity on your site, however the counter still does not accurately reflect the activity on your site, and should be tied to +1 in Google+ itself.
I would at least expect that +1’ing this post will automatically add it to my G+ stream, but alas, it doesn’t do that.. so weird!!
There is also a period until it will get updated on your profile I suppose so. For example I can see in my +1’s stream this page.
Luis, it places it on your profile, under the +1s tab.
Alan my experience is if I plus one it on a site it puts it on my profile, but what about things I +1 in the Google+ UI those are nowhere to be found
Yes, you are right about this Mitch. What we +1 in Google+ UI only google knows where that data goes.
Ahh, now this is a good point Mitch. At least you can see what you’ve +1’d on T’Interwebs. But things that you’ve +1’d in G+ are not surfaced. Try this – go to Facebook and try to find a history of everything you’ve liked there. I can’t find it, but it would be great to keep track of – it’s the same as not being able to know what you’ve +1’d on G+. At least on Twitter if you RT or Favorite something you can go back to see a history of that.
Growing pains. API issues. I am sure that given the popularity of + they will sort it out in short order.
“Second if I post one of my blog entries in Google+ and other people +1 it, that is not reflected back on my site in the +1 counter.”
Possibly the +1s are consolidated only when you allow google to use your information on other sites in the preferences.
I would just like to +1 your idea of disambiguating the +1.
😉
It’s more like minus 1. I “get it” but can’t figure out how to do it, nor have I located any +1’s to click on. If I saw a plus 1 to click on next to something I recommend, then I’d click on it. Still searching . . .