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+1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

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Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#31

Post by dpezely »

giberson wrote: post #14

I really surprised at Google by this implementation--it seems like they didn't really think it through. When I'm searching for something, my behavior is usually: Google search term Open the top couple results in a new tab Check each tab, to see if they contain the information I was looking for If tab is not useful, or more information is required, check next tab. If information is satisfied, close window (all tabs, i…

> I really surprised at Google by this implementation--it seems like they didn't really think it through.

You're looking for utility; whereas, I believe they are taking a pro-active step against Facebook's newly awarded patents on "social search."

Regarding utility: it's Google, so they'll iterate...

Regarding competition: it's launched and available to the public now!

When Facebook acquired Friendster.com, this also gave control over lucrative patents that were awarded this year and last year.

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2351407

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#32

Post by farlington »

bad_user wrote: post #23
giberson wrote: post #14

I really surprised at Google by this implementation--it seems like they didn't really think it through. When I'm searching for something, my behavior is usually: Google search term Open the top couple results in a new tab Check each tab, to see if they contain the information I was looking for If tab is not useful, or more information is required, check next tab. If information is satisfied, close window (all tabs, i…

The problem with browser extensions is one of distribution -- how many people are going to install it?

They could just build it into Chrome. Problem solved.

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#35

Post by Cossolus »

zzzmarcus wrote: post #20

I can't ever remember doing a search for something where one of the results was so cool that I thought "hey, I'd like to share this search result with everyone I know!" or even "hey, I'd like everyone I know to know that I think this search result is cool!" If I was going to share something it would a. be the actual page, not just the search result, and b. likely not shared with my friends and the general public, but…

I think the reality of how +1 will be used will be more like this: you see your list of search results. The first three are so-so and the fourth one is great. You think to yourself "why the hell was the great result not at the top?" and then click the +1 button to promote it. Google uses this info as a signal, both globally and for your circle of friends.

I think it could work, as long as it's not gamed into uselessness.

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#36

Post by abraham »

jhuckestein wrote: post #3

Call me skeptical, but I'm not convinced by Google's partial rollout of their new social layer. A while ago they rolled out the new top-bar and a little later they rolled out the new profiles and now this. It all kind of makes sense, but there is no killer app/driver for all these features. The number of integration points seems to be a problem, too. Until last week Google Mail, Reader and Groups all used different r…

Google as a whole is the killer app. They are just finally getting around to iterating through integrating their different products together.

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#37

Post by reemrevnivek »

zzzmarcus wrote: post #20

I can't ever remember doing a search for something where one of the results was so cool that I thought "hey, I'd like to share this search result with everyone I know!" or even "hey, I'd like everyone I know to know that I think this search result is cool!" If I was going to share something it would a. be the actual page, not just the search result, and b. likely not shared with my friends and the general public, but…

Agreed. I'd +1 a link (if the button was still available when I got to the page) if it was anonymous (or at the very least, not shared with my social circle). Clicking one of these goes instantly to all my friends? I'll have Greasemonkey/Flashblock/Adblock(whichever is appropriate) removal in place ASAP, if just to protect myself from embarrasment!

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#38

Post by reemrevnivek »

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #12
naz wrote: post #8

I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, Google should have done this years ago, even if it had no effect on result placement, think of all the data they could have collected. On the other hand, the big appeal of Google is the simplicity and minimal clutter, and this is just another useless (at least on the first search) thing added to the interface.

I think they've done this a few times, I remember there used to be an up and down arrow in search results, but they abandoned that a while back.

You could also add stars, and taglines...this is just another iteration.

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#39

Post by 5l »

todd3834 wrote: post #16

Facebook "Like It". Google "+1". Assuming Google A/B tests just about everything, I'm surprised "+1" seemed like the winning choice. I don't hate it, I'm just surprised...

The problem with 'liking' something, which would be especially acute on Google, is that it just sounds downright wrong for some things. Perhaps you're looking for news on the Japanese Tsunami. No, I don't 'like' it. Yes, it's relevant to what I'm looking for.

Re: +1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results

#40

Post by redthrowaway »

giberson wrote: post #14

I really surprised at Google by this implementation--it seems like they didn't really think it through. When I'm searching for something, my behavior is usually: Google search term Open the top couple results in a new tab Check each tab, to see if they contain the information I was looking for If tab is not useful, or more information is required, check next tab. If information is satisfied, close window (all tabs, i…

My main problem is actually the name itself. Facebook's "like" button works so well because it gives people a simple, self-explanatory button to press if they like something. Never mind the stuff it does behind the scenes, most people think if they click a "like" button, their friends will know they like it. It promotes self-reinforcing behaviour.

+1 doesn't do that. It's not immediately apparent what it's for, and it offers no incentive for use without knowing what it is. The icon itself doesn't tell you anything. "What is it, some kind of movie?" A simple thumbs up would have been much simpler, much more intuitive, and likely to gain greater traction. A simple note under the search bar saying, "Find what you were looking for? Give it the thumbs up and help us deliver better results" would likely have led to much higher usage. The average user doesn't need to know what it's being used for. Calling it "social" doesn't help in this context, because nobody thinks of social when they think of Google. Even telling people it would be shared with their email contacts is a terrible idea - email is for work and family, not messing around with friends. Just say that it's to help improve Search and reduce spam, and people will go along with it.

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