Since Google +1 was introduced in Google's search results, it was announced that it was going to be available for any site to use and now it's finally here.

What is the Google +1 button?

The Google +1 button is Google's answer to the Facebook Like button. Doing a +1 is equivalent to endorsing something and, if you allow it, it will also be shared publicly, including it in your Google profile (e.g. see the +1s on my Google profile). Friends will see your recommendations on Google's results, so there is a great incentive to include it in your site, to help improve its ratings. You need a Google account to +1 something.

The Google +1 button is already being used by several public sites including TechCrunch, Mashable, Rotten Tomatoes, among others, including Google ones like YouTube, the Android Market, Blogger and others.

How to include the Google +1 button in your site

Integrating the Google +1 button in your site is as easy as placing a snippet of HTML in your template. Google offers a Google +1 button generator - you can choose its size, language, with or without count and some other advanced options. This is the HTML snippet for the default configuration:

<!-- Place this tag in your head or just before your close body tag -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>

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

If you're getting errors when clicking the button (an exclamation mark with a red background) make sure the button is in a public page and try adding the script tag in the head of your HTML as well as specifying the href attribute in the g:plusone tag (we had to do this to make it work on this site). You can even try the alternative HTML5 syntax. For more details see the Google +1 API.

If you use the sharing service AddThis you will be happy to know that they have already included the Google +1 button, though be aware that this new button currently isn't working in Internet Explorer. Here's an HTML example of an AddThis snippet with the Google +1 button:

<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style ">
<a class="addthis_button_google_plusone"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style"></a>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=xa-4de7924d0dad8ac4"></script>
<!-- AddThis Button END -->

The Google +1 button is also already integrated into Blogger, so if you have a blog hosted there, you probably already have it. If not, you can check the widget on the design settings of your blog.

Google +1 future

Updates to the Google +1 button don't stop here and if you're a site webmaster you will be happy to know that Google +1 analytics are coming soon. I also expect a Google +1 browser extension to follow shortly, one has even been leaked in a Google Chrome TV ad, but no date has been revealed yet.

The true impact of Google +1 remains to be seen, but unlike other Google social offerings, this one has both the simplicity for the user and the usefulness for site owners, although its success will always be dependent on its widespread adoption. With Google backing, this has the potential to have a big impact, but it also needs to prove its purpose to its users.