Social search latest: Google +1 button officially launched

Search just got a bit more social as Google's launched its like button rival turned social plug-in turned ranking signal - Google +1, across websites yesterday. 

Having first appeared alongside Google search results in March, Google +1 has been touted as a searcher's shorthand for "this is pretty cool" and "you should check this out." 

And, until now, Google users have only been able to +1 or share a link to 'cool' content when viewing search results or ads. 

But according to an official Google blog post, Google users will now be able to +1 or share a page with their contacts by pressing a +1 button embedded on that web page - just like Facebook's ubiquitous Like button.

Websites that have already officially partnered with Google's +1 button include Add This, Mashable, The Huffington Post, TechCrunch, The Washington Post and Reuters. 

However, the +1 button is expected to be widely adopted across the web - particularly by brands and retailers - as Google has said +1 will be used as a ranking signal. 

Also, Google doesn't plan to limit its social rollout to SERPS and websites - as Mountain View also blogged that +1 buttons will soon appear on Android Market, Blogger, Google Product Search and YouTube.

The launch of +1 web buttons comes as Eric Schmidt admitted Google's social shortcomings are largely 

Source: www.bigmouthmedia.com