Google introduces its “Like” button

It came as a surprise to nobody who’d been paying attention to the gossip and rumour. But I, for one, thought they might have done it a little more subtly. Or injected just a soupcon of originality.

For today Google announced it’s latest inroad into the world of social media, and fired a shot across the bows of Facebook – whilst photocopying one of its most popular tools.

Google’s new “+1″ button  is very definitely not similar to Facebook’s “Like” button in any way, shape or form. It’s completely different, highly-original and… ok, it’s pretty much identical.

Watching Google’s video introducing “+1″ (embedded below), it’s not until you listen carefully that you realise the word “like” doesn’t appear in its entire 1.08 length. Funny that. I wonder why?

If Google gets the introduction of “+1″ right – and with the links from the intro page not actually working at the time of writing, the signs aren’t good – then it could be a serious challenger to Facebook’s “Like” button.

I, for one, will introduce it when I’m able alongside the Facebook and Twitter buttons on this blog. What’s not to like? The SEO help it will bring, with “+1′d” stories appearing higher in Google’s search engine rankings, means only a fool wouldn’t attempt to take advantage maximise the social media power of this breathtaking and highly-original endeavour.

I imagine that Mark Zuckerberg and chums at Facebook will be watching the developments with considerable interest. Might be time to make use of that partnership with Microsoft (and its Bing search engine) guys.