The most popular search engine in the world made headlines in recent days when it said its relatively new +1 button could affect the way search results show up.

Google confirmed that it was exploring the changes, saying that it was hoping to combat spam and more fully integrate its social media platform. The new system could have major implications for businesses involved in search engine marketing, requiring them to formulate new strategies that follow the new algorithm.

"Google will study the clicks on +1 buttons as a signal that influences the ranking and appearance of websites in search results,” a spokesman wrote in an email to Wired. "The purpose of any ranking signal is to improve overall search quality. For +1’s and other social ranking signals, as with any new ranking signal, we’ll be starting carefully and learning how those signals are related to quality."

Google made other headlines recently when it acquired Motorla Mobility for approximately $12.5 billion. Both companies' boards of directors unanimously approved the purchase earlier this month.
 

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