New “+1 Less” Share Button Released For Google+

The line between Google’s +1 functionality and the Google+ network has always been somewhat blurred.  Today Google has announced a new Google+ share button that helps to differentiate the two services.

Google originally launched +1 as a tool similar to Facebook’s like functionality.  A +1 is the equivalent to a user vouching for a website by liking it.  Buttons were released around the +1 functionality that allowed users to +1 content directly from a website.  Today’s new Google+ share button doesn’t include any of the +1 functionality.  Instead of +1ing content users directly share the content on Google+.

Here’s a look at the new button pre-share:

The button mid-share:

The the button post-share:

The Google+ share button can be downloaded from the Google Developers site.  If you currently have the +1 button installed, there is no need to worry.  The share functionality can also be accomplished with the +1 button.  When a user completes the +1 a screen prompts users to share:

For more information, see the Google+ Developers blog.