The Google +1 button was publicly released last night for website owners to use. You can customise and copy the code snippet here.

The Google +1 Code Snippet

There are 2 code snippets you’ll need to add to your website in order to start displaying Google +1 buttons.

The Javascript call goes just before the closing </body> tag – similar to the Google Analytics snippet. It has a few configurable parts that set the annotation language and whether you want it to parse on load or explicitly – below I’ve used parse: On Load, which is probably going to be the most common version – (if you choose parse: Explicit then you’ll need to use a 3rd snippet to make the Javascript call). Most people will be able to drop the code below into their global footer file and forget about it.

<!-- Place this tag in your head or just before your close body tag -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js">
{lang: 'en-GB'}
</script>


The other Google +1 code snippet can be placed anywhere on your website wherever you want the Google +1 button to show.

<!-- Place this tag where you want the +1 button to render -->
<g:plusone></g:plusone>


This snippet offers a number of configurable elements:

• Size of +1 button: 15 pixels, 20, 24 and a special tall 60px version.
• Show a bubble with the +1 count? – Probably not if you’re just starting out!
• Add an additional Javascript callback function
• Specify a different URL to vote up (which opens up an interesting set of options)

Note that the URL that is voted up takes into account the rel=”canonical” instruction – so this will be respected should you add Google +1 buttons to non-canonical page versions. If you’re interested in the technical nitty-gritty, check out this in-depth +1 button FAQ by Google.

Overview of the available Google +1 button sizes:

Rules of Use

It’s not wise to violate rules until you know how to observe them. ~ T. S. Eliot

Here’s a summary of the Google +1 button terms and conditions:

• Don’t collect button click data and then sell or share it with anyone else.
• Don’t try to identify people who click on your +1 buttons.
• Don’t alter the Google +1 button.
• Don’t place it next to advertising.
• Don’t “encourage” visitors to click the +1 button through payment or competitions.
• You must top-up your Google +1 account with 3 drops of blood every month.

OK, maybe not the last one – here’s the full list from Google.

Availability – US only for the moment

Sorry for hiding this at the end, but I wanted you to read the article first. Advertisers don’t dig high bounce rates ;)

For a recap on what the Google +1 button is, and how it can be of use to your websites, visit the Google Ads Innovation +1 Button page. You can also increase my time-on-page metrics and watch the video below too.