If you use Google+ then you are aware of the +1 Button.
There has been a lot written on the use of the +1 button as a form of interaction which leads to the more important question…Why do people ONLY click on +1 on Google+?
The search for the answer to this question lead me to ask others….many others…who I know float around Google+ clicking on the +1 for every posts.
The reasons they gave me for ONLY clicking the +1 I found both strange and concerning.
Here are the Top 3 Reasons Plussers gave me for why they ONLY click the +1 button on Google+.
1. Boost Their Level of Influence
I’ve found through a number one-on-one conversations that many people have accepted the erroneous advice of “So-Called” digital marketing experts who tell people in order to be come a social influencer all you have to do is go to Google+ and click the +1 Button as many times as they can. Google will then reward them with a higher ranking. This is probably true but I’m certain Google did not intend for people to only go to Google+, call up one person’s profile and click the +1 Button on every post they have ever made.
But..that is what many, many people are doing.
As a result, many of the Plussers are shying away from taking their +1 posts seriously.
The Comment to a post is now the most sought after form of validation to someone’s apparent influence.
2. Fear of Being Trolled
The #2 reason people gave for Only hitting the +1 had to do with +1 button being the most benign method of social media. Making a comment to a Google+ opens the person up to receiving unwanted attention from Trolls Haters and notifications from those who also comment. To avoid all this they just hit the +1 and move on.
Still, the question on what Only Clicking the +1 button really means.
3 Show Support
The #3 reason many people gave for Only clicking the +1 button goes with them feeling hitting the +1 Button is a form of showing support or to say ‘Hear-Hear’ to whatever someone posted. However, for the person receiving the +1 to their post it is never clear what exactly is meant when someone hits their +1 button.
Only using the +1 button is clearly a phenomenon. Granted, receiving a +1 notification is better than getting nothing, but wouldn’t it be better to get a +1 clearly meant something? May a range of +1 to +10 would make a better statement on why they just clicked the +1 button.
Still the best option is already available to everyone and that is the Comment section. Sure, it does require a basic knowledge of sentence structure, grammar and language. Even with that basic requirement would provide better feedback to why they liked or disliked what was posted.
Oh well. Maybe one day someone will build a social network that makes it easy t leave a comment.
Let me know how I can help.
