While it was only released a short time ago, the Google +1 button has already made its presence known on the social web. The +1 button which – much like share buttons offered by Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – allows signed-in Google users to share an article, blog post, web site or other +1-enabled web site content with friends.

One drawback at present is that Google Apps professional users are not currently able to share content using the +1 button because use of a Google profile is required to share using the button. Google Profiles are not currently available for Google Apps’ pro users. Boo! However, there is word from Google that this functionality will be forthcoming, so fear not, +1 is near. We are, ourselves, Google Apps users, so we’re looking forward to being able to test out +1 on a more extensive professional level.

Naturally, the primary appeal of the +1 button is its integration with Google’s search results. If many connections of a signed-in Google user have shared a particular piece of content using Google +1, that content will show up with personal annotations from that user’s friends, which may boost the likelihood the user will view that content as well. After all, information or products recommended by a friend are more likely to get a second look than random results from companies you’ve never heard of.

Studies show that, in its short life, the Google +1 button has already surpassed Twitter buttons for the number of web sites that are including a +1 button for their readers. That’s pretty impressive considering Twitter has been at it for a while and +1 is relatively new on the scene.

Interested in giving the +1 button a go on your own site? It’s pretty easy to set up. Just visit the Google Webmaster web site for the button and follow the simple instructions on how to paste the code into your web site.

It will be interesting to see how the Google +1 button’s use will evolve as creative minds find new ways to use it to their advantage. Stay tuned!