I just got done reading a post encouraging everyone to trade +1 votes and I have to say that I very strongly urge everyone to wait before doing anything of the sort. The basic idea is if I post 5 links and you post 5 links we can each +1 (or vote) for each other's links so we can try to rank higher in Google search results. This is the very similar to black hat link services if you are familiar with that SEO practice. Trading votes is not a new idea and has been a problem for small companies that rely on votes to return results. However Google is very good at math and I am pretty sure they are already prepared to handle this scenario.

So what should I do?

I am going to encourage a little bit of restraint here. While some of what you have said is correct, I think it would be prudent to think through the law of unintended consequences, especially since what you are promoting here is what ruined Digg and made it completely useless. Here is a nice thought experiment:

  • Say John Smith has Bryan in one of my circles on Google+.
  • Bryan does a +1 swap with everyone he can think of that is in real estate in KC (where I live).
  • John searches for real estate in KC and gets three results at the top that are all the result of Bryan giving them +1.

What happens next depends on several things we don't know yet, but your post includes lots of assumptions too so I think we are ok on balance. Here are a few possible outcomes:

  • For starters, if Bryan +1's everything, they won't all show up. Google will still have to decide which of a few things it wants to show me, so his vote may end up not counting at all.
  • John might click on all of the links Bryan voted for, find they aren't to his liking, and consider removing Bryan from his circle.
  • Google might (and what I really mean is probably will) implement a feature to completely ban all +1's from anyone they deem a spammer.
Consider the possible consequences of trying to game the system too much before you decide to take action on something that is brand new. Instead I highly recommend that you only +1 things that you think are very good or you could find your online reputation as an obstacle in the future.

---

Cheers!

Willis

 
Star Posted by Willis Jackson III on 06/30/2011 05:32 PM   Comments (25)   Social Media in the Technology and Tools Channel   social media, google, seo  
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25 Comments on A cautionary tale: Don't trade +1 votes on Google+

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
01
2011
1,361,092 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

The voice of reason... 
12:54pm • #6
1,420,908 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Shortcuts like 'group +1 strategies' can yield short-term results, but it still comes down to quality content. AR cliques may drive initial traffic, but if the site doesn't meet consumer expectations they'll quickly click away.
1:04pm • #7
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Iam going to wait to see if this turns out to be something of real value in the future, since I have too much new stuff on my plate already. But, that being said, I depend on you to keep us informed on this, since you are so in tune with this stuff. Thanks.
1:38pm • #8
177,169 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

This is a good point. I have not read up much on Google plus one but I always know that it is unwise to game the system to much!
1:39pm • #9
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Willis,

I guess I'd better read up on Google +1.  The world, she keeps a'changing!

Mike in Tucson
2:31pm • #10
862,918 Points 174 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Excellent article, Willis.  I agree that some restraint is definitely good.  Several comments above reflect good guidance on how little working with friends is likely to have in the broad scheme of things.  The key is still writing high-quality content with the right mix of keywords.  Getting a +1 should boost SEO a little but unless Google finds a serious pattern, they're unlikely to stop friends recommending each other.  As Tammy said, we should only recommend things we truly like.  That will keep us all honest.
2:32pm • #11
165,793 Points 8 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Willis, great points. I think trying to beat a system that's just come out definitely has some potential for backfiring... Thanks for thinking about and sharing some of those possibilities.
2:59pm • #12
262,886 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks Willis, but with it being so new i am sure we will have to wait to see what happens.  No matter what, i do not think anything is better than traffic and clicks for your SEO. 
3:13pm • #13
159,298 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Google is no dummy, especially when it comes to search engine tech, for obvious reasons. I would advise you move up higher in the rankings the old fashioned way...earning it.

Anything else is diluting data integrity!
3:53pm • #14

I can't keep up with all the new trends in SEO methods!!
4:02pm • #15
1,120,612 Points 102 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm with pat and Wayne, this is so over my head, but it sounds like cheating and cheaters never win.
4:04pm • #16
982,789 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I wonder how long Google +1 will last.  People might get tired of friending, liking, etc.  And it doesn't even show up in my screen when I do a Google search.  Wonder what's up with that?
6:18pm • #17
506,386 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Willis, good blog. I have a billion things going on and we don't even know if +1 is valid or not yet. I'll sit and wait a while, and play catch up if I need to. Seems like it's gonna be a Mac vs PC thing though.
6:38pm • #18
879,476 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Willis - I too believe that restraint is required ..... if you are going to do this at all it needs to be at least a three way #1 so there is no direct back and forth #1
10:19pm • #19
1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

Nice post Willis!  With everything that's currently out there already, will +1 be around in a year from now?  Guess we'll have to wait and see.
11:23pm • #20
548,932 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Willis:

As soon as I figure out what you said in your post, I will follow your advice.  Besides, I never jump on new technology right away.  I have to ponder the pluses and minuses but most importantly inertia sets in.  thanks for the advice.
11:37pm • #21
JUL
02
2011
420,530 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Can't be too different from reciprocal links - makes sense not to trade.
10:59am • #22
JUL
08
2011
237,734 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wilis, I'm so glad you wrote this post.  I'm not the most hip on new technology, but I do understand when I'm being gamed.  I like the +1 button, and wonder who it will be integrated with Google+, which I am just now trying to learn.  Jeepers, when  will I have time to sell houses?  : )
10:38pm • #23
JUL
09
2011
161,176 Points 5 Featured Posts

Melissa is right, with all the time required to be successful at social media, who has time for real estate?
9:58am • #24
JUL
11
2011
2 Featured Posts

@Melissa @Colleen - You are right. Stick with it though. My goal is to make as many of these things as easy as possible for all of you so you can focus on what you do best.
8:30pm • #25

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Willis Jackson III

Overland Park, KS

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Address: Overland Park, KS, 66212

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I am a general internet technologist, which means I spend lots of time keeping up with different internet tools and how best to use them. I write about how those tools can be used to help real estate agents maximize their most important resource, their time! I am here to help so don't be afraid to ask questions.


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