Google seems to try to reinvent any new web service out there, +1 is an example of such. Google Plus has also taken off with a fury - aimed at providing direct competition with Facebook. At the end of the day, Google makes more money FROM the web than any other business on the planet! They are the authority and although everything they release isn't the most popular tool, the ability to link everything together is becoming more enticing, something Facebook is doing - you can sign into almost any account using your Facebook login. In addition to +1, Google has also included the ability for a user to customize their search results, as laid out here in their official blog: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/hide-sites-to-find-more-of-what-you.html. People have been asking Facebook for a thumb's down button for a long time! Google's Block all abc123.com results is that feature for search results. Initially, Google says at blocking a site's results will not have an impact on that company's search engine rankings, they haven't left out the possibility of doing so: In addition, while we’re not currently using the domains people block as a signal in ranking, we’ll look at the data and see whether it would be useful as we continue to evaluate and improve our search results in the future. -retrieved from Google's Blog

The Google +1 button is very similar to the Facebook "Like" or the new "Recommend" buttons.  The fact that Google is also a search engine DOES make the functionality of the button much much more than the Facbook ones though. Like others have posted, Google is all about relevant results, the +1 button is an attempt by Google to get real human beings to vote for what websites and pages they think are valuable to others.  Even more, you can see what links your specific friends have approved compared to just the general number of +1's. For example, if you are doing a regular old Google search now, you will start to see your friends pictures in the search results next to specific links saying that they +1 specific pages right there in the results. Now, wouldn't this motivate you more to click on those particular links? I think this is the real value here, and it’s what Google intends.  They are integrating the "like" style button but on a much larger scale, and on their own search engine that 80% of everyone uses on a daily basis. 

The Google +1 button is very similar to the Facebook "Like" or the new "Recommend" buttons.  The fact that Google is also a search engine DOES make the functionality of the button much much more than the Facbook ones though. Like others have posted, Google is all about relevant results, the +1 button is an attempt by Google to get real human beings to vote for what websites and pages they think are valuable to others.  Even more, you can see what links your specific friends have approved compared to just the general number of +1's. For example, if you are doing a regular old Google search now, you will start to see your friends pictures in the search results next to specific links saying that they +1 specific pages right there in the results. Now, wouldn't this motivate you more to click on those particular links? I think this is the real value here, and it’s what Google intends.  They are integrating the "like" style button but on a much larger scale, and on their own search engine that 80% of everyone uses on a daily basis. 

I agree with Google +1. :)

Google's +1 button is definitely like facebook's "like" button.  But, the +1 button will go well beyond the facebook "like" button.  For example, only the google +1 button will be showing up in search result pages.  Keep in mind that this functionality only works when you are logged-in to your google account.  Google is always trying to find ways of producing the best search results possible.  Rather than relying on on-page and off-page optimization factors, which can easily be manipulated by robots and such, using the +1 button will be an attempt to influence rankings in a more human way. As far as people with more money having an advantage of getting more +1's and such, well, google has already built in many safeguards to prevent this.  Keep in mind that it would be extremely difficult to pay somebody to just +1 a site and not get caught because the technology is owned by google.  If a user +1's a site multiple times from the same account, google can easily see this and penalize you for it.

I already implemented the +1 button into my site. It is a cool feature.

The new Google +1 button simply is another alternative to a Facebook's "like" button. It has some potential, since you can use it in social circles and the ones who see what's in your +1 list are the ones who are accepted in your social circle list - your friends, relatives, etc. This is good. Google tries to implement one more social element besides its Google Buzz button. Anyway, we will see what the outcome is, but I figure big money will always have the big influence - whether it's like, dislike or whatever button.

I agree, I think that Google is trying to conquer two giants with one stone... Facebook and Twitter. Although a lot of "combo" concepts flop on the internet, I see this attempt as a valid one.  I think that the concept is simple but a brilliant strategy on Googles part.  Why should someone have to manage two logins and sites if they can just add the services to their existing Google account and have it all in one place! I have been playing with Google+ for over a week now and give it two thumbs up, even though it is in its infancy and morphing from day to day LOL!