Hot on the heels of Google’s public +1 button launch, they have also just announced they are retiring the Google Checkout badge from their paid search results.

Google originally claimed that these paid search ads would receive better click through rates and inspire stronger consumer confidence – it would be interesting to hear opinions from merchants who have comparative data.

We do know that it’s very likely Google will incorporate the new +1 button with Adwords ads, so this change may be in preparation for that.

Another fledgling theory is that this may be somehow connected to Google Wallet – in which case perhaps there’s a shake up or merging of Google’s financial transaction products.

Here’s what little Google has to say about it:

Over the last few years, we’ve tested and launched many new extensions to ads on Google search results, including ad sitelinks, product extensions, seller rating extensions, call extensions, and location extensions. We’re constantly making changes aimed at improving the user experience and advertiser ROI.

Let me just run that through Google Translate:…

We think we’ve found a way to make more money from this SERP real estate.
 

It would be good to hear a more specific response, especially since this may financially affect paying advertisers.

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.

Here’s an interesting Google development test I came across recently — double-column, non-collapsable organic results for a single brand.

• The example in the picture is a semi-branded term, but I swear I’ve seen this in action on generic keywords.
• The lucky brand dominates the page, pushing down all the other results
• There’s no apparent reason why these particular pages are chosen (I’ve seen really obscure, deep pages returned, so it’s not due to internal links, page authority or jump links)
• I confirmed it works whilst logged out
• I confirmed it works on any browser
• It works as part of Google Instant

Unfortunately, I can’t replicate the results on my own computers, hence the low quality screenshot.

What does this mean?

At this point, it just means that Google is testing the search result layouts again.

However, if it does get rolled out then obviously expect an outcry at brands dropping 12 places on terms such as “car insurance” (tested and confirmed!).

Many SEOs felt there were some volatile changes to the Google UK algorithms in June. They weren’t wrong either – June’s SERPs for competitive industries saw some pretty significant tweaks. Call it Vince if you like.

This anonymised data shows the amount of keywords on the first 3 pages of Google UK for 4 competing websites within a competitive market, each with their own SEO strategies run by different people (yes mine is the green one of course!).

Note how the dips affect all four whilst Google UK shakes things up.

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