Its still being used for US based google accounts. And i believe if it gets successful then google might use it in serp algorithm. BUT currently its not being used as an serp metric for sure. I still have a doubt if it will affect serp's because blackhaters can easily get thousands of google accounts and then bombard the +1 with several ips which definately google does not want.Lets see it will get more clear in future days.
If you are logged in with your account and give a +1 the site will be shown to you on upper page try logging out and search again to know the correct rankings
Okay, here's what I think. I think if you have a truly useful site, and people +1 it, you will benefit. How? Well think of it like this. Let's say you're target audience is moms. Mom's tend to have close relationships with many other Mom's.. it's a common experience that allows them feel conected. If Mom A +1's your site, all of her friends will be more likely to visit your site as well(Assuming they are communicating via gmail or friends on their Google accounts). Mom's tend to use Google to find coupons, learn something new to benefit their home or household - ect. When Mom A's Mom friends search for the similiar things, you're site will be displayed higher because Mom A +1'd it. If Mom A and Mom B both +1, you're sphere of influence grows even more. This can be a sorta viral aspect to personalized search - but only if you're site provides enough value to generate +1's on its own (don't buy +1's because it isn't a good investment. This will work better if +1's come naturally.) Basically, if you have a good site that provides value, and people are impressed and +1, you will benefit. You may not rank higher for 'anonymous' searches, but higher in the new 'personalized searches'. If I see someone I trust +1'd a product or service, i'm more likely to trust it. Plus - I can even go to them and ask them about it. If you're one of those spammers who create sites just for money, with no real value to your site - you won't benefit.
Agree with above.. and also it's an attempt by google to get a better foothold in social networking market.. as it's been lagging far far behind facebook and smaller players. Scaring everyone into adding buttons next to facebook like button is great advertising for social google
- You are right some of my friends were doing that now abusing the +1. I wonder if Google comes up with a security or something.
I added the code to one of my sites and left it there for a week. It gained 15 umm likes for lack of a better word. For me my site was boosted from 5th to 1st on google SERPs, and for some friends it was the same. I then logged into one of my servers and visited google to see that I was still in 5th. I think it only works on your friends.
I just added it to my site, no change in serp yet, especially since I just have 2 +1's, which is kind of embarrassing
I agree with everyone who has raised concerns about abuse of +1. Google's aim is to discourage spammers, not open the door to them.
It is too early on to determine whether or not it will affect page rank and ranking in the long run. But if you are ranked 3, and you have that +1 button next to your site it's more appealing. It won't hurt to get the application. If Google +1 does affect page rank/serp it wont be for a long time, its still a very new project.