Google +1s Roll Out On Display Ads Too

Those of you visiting Google display network sites today may have noticed something slightly different; as of today, the search engine has started adding +1s and annotations on its display advertising. Search AdWords have been running with the additions since May this year, and it was announced about a month ago that Google would be putting the buttons onto display ads soon, and now it is a reality.

The idea is that if one of your friends +1's an advert, the URL associated with it, or on the relevant web page itself, then you will see that noted on the display ad, and (Google hope) have a greater propensity to click on the ad; Google has already suggested that search marketing ads that have +1 on them have a significantly higher click through rate.  You will need to be logged into your Google account to see these, and the list of your friends will include people in your Google+ circles, Gmail contacts, and people you follow in Google Reader.

Additionally, and - for now - only for the display ads, this +1 activity will now be taken as a factor in the AdWords auction process.  Ads that have had +1s will receive what Google is calling an "extra boost" in the auction, thus gaining a higher likelihood of being displayed.

Google are betting that the +1 will get more people engaged with their advertising, and this engagement will encourage advertisers to incorporate the +1 on their sites and ads. Have you seen (or published) any +1 ads yet?