Editorial status: This article has been retired as current advice. The Google +1 button and Google+ sharing integrations no longer work as a modern WordPress recommendation.
Do not add the Google +1 button today
The original version of this article explained how to add Google's +1 button to a website. That advice is obsolete. Google+ integrations for websites stopped functioning in March 2019, including +1 buttons and Google+ sharing widgets.
If an old WordPress theme or plugin still loads Google +1 code, remove it. Keeping dead social buttons on a site creates clutter, can trigger broken requests, and makes the page look neglected.
Modern replacement checklist
- Remove Google +1 scripts, buttons, shortcodes, and widgets.
- Use only active social networks that matter to your readers.
- Set Open Graph and Twitter/X card metadata so shared links use the right title, description, and image.
- Use analytics and Search Console data to judge content performance instead of button counters.
- Test the page after cleanup so old JavaScript does not leave blank space or console errors.
For current Google tooling inside WordPress, see Site Kit by Google. For current social-promotion guidance, see Social Sharing Automation for WordPress Without Spamming Readers.
For source context, Google documented the shutdown of Google+ web integrations, including +1 buttons and sharing widgets.
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