Google +1 Analytics Coming Soon; Here’s What To Expect

Although webmasters can install the new Google +1 button on their websites today, it may be a little while before the expected +1 analytics are available.

Google product manager Christian Oestlien tells us that the company is working with launch partners to make sure the reporting is accurate before offering the data on a wide basis. He also shared a preview of what to expect when +1 analytics is rolled out.

How Google +1 Analytics Will Work

When it’s ready, Google will report aggregate +1 data in four categories:

• Geography: webmasters will learn where +1 activity is happening
• Demographics: Google will share the age/gender of who’s clicking +1 on content when it knows that information
• Content: +1s will be reported on a URL-by-URL basis
• Search impact: webmasters will be able to see +1 impressions, clicks and click-thru rates

Google emphasizes that the geography and demographic data will only be reported in the aggregate and, in cases where the numbers are so small that they might suggest users’ personal information, the data won’t be shown at all. (Google already does this in the analytics provided to businesses that use Google Places.)

A mockup of that last item above — Search impact — is what’s shown in the photo/screenshot that we’ve used a couple times in previous +1 coverage:

The final product may change from the mockup shown above, Google says.

Where Will +1 Analytics Be Available?

Webmasters and advertisers will get +1 data in up to three locations:

• Google Webmaster Tools
• Google Analytics
• Google AdWords (for data related to the impact of +1 on ad CTRs)

There’s no specific timeline for when all of this will be launched, but Google did say it’s the start of a new focus on offering richer analytics around social activity.

While you’re waiting, you may want to check out Joost de Valk’s post that shows how to get +1 clicks recognized as “events” in Google Analytics.