Google's +1 arrives and officially launches the era of social search. (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – April 1, 2011)

Well, Big Thinkers, it’s been a big week in the land of social and search. In case you haven’t heard, Google introduced its +1 search feature this week, which is effectively the search giant’s version of Facebook’s “Like” button. And, just as happened then, lots of folks have a point of view on what +1 means. Here are some of the best posts out there:

• SEOmoz welcomes +1 as the rise of social search. I think they’re right. Of course, social search isn’t completely new. This Search Engine Land post from December looks at how social and search complement one another. Their continued integration, much as we’re seeing with +1, seems inevitable.
• Supporting that argument, take a look at Jonah Peretti on TechCrunch explains why the Facebook media worldview wins. Google’s traditional reliance on algorithms may be no match for massively crowd-sourced social content—and +1 looks like Google’s first serious recognition of that fact.
• Want further proof Google wants to get more social? Well, if Business Insider is right, Google sees themselves as a tiny ship swamped by a violent sea (social media is the violent sea in this metaphor). There’s no doubt Google is the search industry’s 800 pound gorilla. I’ve just never thought about them as a paranoid 800-lb. gorilla (though, with their lack of progress in social to date, it’s justifiable paranoia).
• George Michie of Rimm-Kaufman Group asks 7 questions about how +1 will affect SEO. Good reading.
• SEO by the Sea asks whether +1 will also act as a “share” button, much as Facebook’s “Like” does today. Good question. I think it’s safe to assume, Google’s not done trying to expand the reach of +1.
• Macworld takes it for granted that Google’s not done, outlining the places +1 falls short.
• Given the obvious connection to Facebook’s “Like” feature, Mashable looks at what +1 will mean for Facebook.
• And, finally, Business Insider also investigates the connection between +1 and privacy.

What do you think? Is +1 a plus for Google or a minus? Drop me a line or post a comment and give us your thoughts, too.

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