Google +1 and the Facebook like Button: Do They Really Help Users Find What They Need?

Can you imagine if you went to your local grocery store looking for one specific product - shampoo for example - and once there realized there were 1.7 million types to choose from? How in the world could anyone be expected to find what they need if there are so many different types of shampoo? Thankfully, there aren't that many types of shampoo, but when it comes to searching for information on the web, it is getting harder and harder to find relevant information. Google and Facebook have tried a couple different ways to make finding what you need a little easier with their services Google +1 and the Facebook "Like" button. This trend of recommendation buttons is becoming more popular, but do they really help people find what they are looking for?

Google +1 Is Like Getting Input From Your Friends On Everything

So with the new Google +1 service, if you were lucky enough to get an invite to the beta test, is a service where if you have a Google public profile, you can provide input on websites and products. Now each site in the search engine will have a rating box with a little "+1" button. You can click that button and provide input on why you like the particular website or product. The idea in the technology is that later, when one of your friends is searching for the same website or product, they will see that you have already given this particular website a "+1" endorsement. The theory is that eventually, you will be able to see what your friends have given a +1 to and this will save you time by keeping you from visiting other websites. Basically, it is like getting advice from your friends all the time, without having to nag them. My thought is that the basic idea is good, but Google already struck out with a similar idea called "Google Buzz." The Buzz service was too restricted to the Gmail e-mail service and did not gain widespread popularity.

Facebook "Like" Button Is Not New, But Is Still A Good Suggestion Tool

Google is trying to break into the specific recommendation button tool market, and may be successful, but there has been a longer standing button that is widely utilized, the Facebook Like button. Where Google's button requires you to have a Google public account, you must have a Facebook account to utilize the "Like" button. Facebook does have an advantage in this arena in that the user's network has already been established in the Facebook account. This means that when the user clicks the "Like" button as it relates to anything on the internet, the user shares this information with all of their friends, and can even share with all of Facebook. If you find a story you like, or a great deal on a particular product, you can click the "Like" button, and instantly your friends will know about it. The only down side, is that sometimes, I don't want to know what my friends like and don't like. But I still get notifications on what they are liking all the time on my feed. This is opposite to the Google +1 model which requires the user to search for what they are looking for and then shows them what their friends have recommended.

Over All Good Idea Still In Development

In general, I think it is a great idea to help people find exactly what they are looking for. If you type in any keyword on a search engine, you can never be sure as to what you are going to get in your results. This technology will allow people to better find what they are looking for, without having to look at every option along the way.

Sources:

http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like/

http://www.google.com/+1/button/