Jan 27

POLL: Could Changing your Meta Tags Result in More Google +1s?

• By: John E Lincoln
• Categories: Google, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing
• Comments: 8

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Now that Google +1s have become important to search engine optimization and social media marketing website owners will be going to great lengths to increase the likelihood that users will +1 a page. At SEO Inc. we have been developing many new and exciting strategies to increase the probability that a user will +1 a page in Google search results.

One idea we have been kicking around is putting a call to action in the meta description. We are in the process of implementing this on some test sites right now. But we wanted to get your opinion first, as we thought this new idea could spark some excellent debate.

Changing Meta Tags for More Google +1s

What do you think? Would you be more likely to +1 this search result listing.

www.example.com/my-favorite-url

Title: Welcome to My Favorite URL

Description: This page is here to talk about my favorite URL on the Internet. It is a amazing page. Learn more about this page.

Or this search result listing?

www.example.com/my-favorite-url

Title: Welcome to My Favorite URL

Description: This page is here to talk about my favorite URL on the Internet. It is a amazing page. +1 this amazing URL now!

Give us your answer below! Lets get some conversation going! What do you think? Will adding this call to action increase +1s?

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8 Responses to “POLL: Could Changing your Meta Tags Result in More Google +1s?”

1. Garry G on January 27, 2012 9:51 amThe second one for sure. Its telling you to +1 the page! I believe visitors will be more likely to add it if you request them to! And if they really like the page!
2. Chris on January 27, 2012 10:00 amFor me it will still ultimately hinge upon the content of the page/site itself. However, making it easier for people to +1 all your things (without making it too spammy) will always be a benefit!
3. Lindsey F on January 27, 2012 10:11 amYes, I think a call to action in the meta description could definitely result in more +1s
4. LinkedIn Comment on January 27, 2012 10:42 amComment from SEO Hardcore Group on LinkedIn
   
   Have you had any results from using the +1 in your description, John?
   
   I am not certain how strict Google is when evaluating the use of the description meta.
   Proper uses dictates a short description of page content.
   
   Have you tried it in the title? That would show when the person is actually on the page.
5. John E Lincoln on January 27, 2012 10:45 amThe description can only be about 160 characters so you are right, we need to be really careful with this real estate. So far we have not seen any backlash from Google. The testing at this point is positive, but we still need more time to gather enough data to make a strong case.
6. Eythor on January 27, 2012 11:02 amI would definitely be more likely to +1 the listing, and it would grab my attention because it's unique in the listings. Another important metric to measure would be how it impacts the clickthrough rate.
7. Krish on January 27, 2012 11:36 amI definitely think it is an interesting idea and worth testing. A call to action to +1 a page gives the search engine user another remind to recommend your content. We all know Google values recommended content.
8. Scott L Smith on January 28, 2012 5:01 amDepends on what your page is about and what the Call To Action is.
   
   Does having a separate CTA (requesting a +1) in the desc lower the results of the CTA you Actually want searchers to take when they arrive at your site?
   
   How does changing your description's CTA from 'Learn more about this page' to '+1 this amazing URL now!' impact your CTR?
   
   Is your strategy to build up +1s and then change your CTA later once the page is established as an authority?
   
   Personally (and maybe just b/c I've been in marketing so long), the +1 request in the desc is too early. I'd rather see it once I'm on the page.
   
   But I'm just 1 person (unless you count my multiple personalities) and that's why we work so hard to determine what our 'ideal' customers want and not necessarily what just you or I would want.
   
   Definitely worth testing though! Will you be sharing results of your findings John?