[Forum] Google +1 Button Problems

[slinky]

Before anyone discusses going to vB.org, here's the issue - Google's +1 button works on my site but not in the forums. Every place I've seen it work in a vB install, it has only worked on VBSEO related sites (or at least those that seem to be using it.) I'm wondering if there is an issue regarding canonical URLs since my installation seems fine, I see the button but only get an exclamation point (problem issue) after pressing the button. It does show a javascript:void(0); on a mouseover but so does Linked In. Every other button works, Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz and Linked in -- and the +1 button works elsewhere but not the stock forums with numbered URLs that I have heard have issues with regard to canonical URLs and potentially an issue with Google. Anyone have an idea?

PS - I just checked the Wordpress install and it acts exactly the same way. Both the forums and WP identify the user as the Google user "xyz" but the difference is that WP allows the click and notes the +1. vBulletin does not work. I'm using vB 4.0.7 using stock URLs, e.g. showthread.php?t=46972

[Wayne Luke]

Unfortunately, you would have to go to vBulletin.org for help with this. We do not support Google's +1 functionality nor have we added it as a default feature in the software. I am guessing the implementation you are using causes some sort of namespace or javascript conflict which prevents normal operation.

[slinky]

Unfortunately, you would have to go to vBulletin.org for help with this. We do not support Google's +1 functionality nor have we added it as a default feature in the software. I am guessing the implementation you are using causes some sort of namespace or javascript conflict which prevents normal operation.

Wayne - I understand where you're coming from but my issue isn't necessarily to do with a "mod" but a question about the operation of vBulletin as a whole and how it generates URLs. I have read complaints about the way vB generates URLs and issues concerning duplicate URLs and site map generation. Here is one post and I know there are more here:

http://www.webmasterworld.com/webmaster/4265786.htm

If the Google +1 button issue isn't working because of the VB URL complaints, then we can expect the operation of VB stock to have problems down the road with regard to SEO and Google SERPs. If the above post is true, we need a solution for how to deal with potential URL duplication and site map issues. I'm just not sure of the answer.

[slinky]

I just looked at another major forum - a large one - also using the stock urls without the subject in the url. It too doesn't work there. I have only seen the +1 button work on VBSEO related sites that supposedly fix a duplicate URL issue in VB 4. As such, this is not an add-on issue but an old issue reported a long time ago that now may have some reprecussions. I hope this isn't true but this is the place to ask and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who is interested in the answer.

I just installed the button on my forumhome -- guess what? It works. This is not good...

Copy and paste is also nasty as you can see - the font changed.

[Dirt Bike Addict]

Just a thought, does Google +1 not work with dynamic URLs?

[slinky]

Just a thought, does Google +1 not work with dynamic URLs?

I'm not sure - I got it to work using the addthis widget - whatever they do "worked." Not sure if it really works or it registers as working or it just puts a counter somewhere in the wild with no real link back to my site. I haven't been able to get it working as is. In fact, no site with dynamic urls has it working that I've seen.

[Dirt Bike Addict]

I'm not sure - I got it to work using the addthis widget - whatever they do "worked." Not sure if it really works or it registers as working or it just puts a counter somewhere in the wild with no real link back to my site. I haven't been able to get it working as is. In fact, no site with dynamic urls has it working that I've seen.

Have you tired the vB Friendly URLs yet? That should answer that question right?

[slinky]

Have you tired the vB Friendly URLs yet? That should answer that question right?

No - I haven't tried the VB 4 friendly URLs built in as I saw it as a detriment rather than a benefit to an upgraded vb 4 site. From what I've seen - and it's only visual - only the static URLs seemed to work. I have no idea what the folks at addthis did but I worked their widget into my page. Twitter also registers a solid zero on my dynamic URL (does the same on the some other leading VB sites too) as well but the addthis widget works. Not sure how or why.

[Dirt Bike Addict]

"Friendly" URLs are better however if you have a site/forum with thousands of backlinks, be sure to not jump into it without a plan.


I'd suggest trying the friendly URL's out on a test site, that way you know that it's a dynamic URL issue or not.

[Samhayne-STS]

I've added Google +1 to our site and am having the same wonky behavior - it works in our CMS and Blog but not in the forum posts. We're running vB 4.1.4

If anyone knows a solution, please post, thanks heaps!

Our site is at www.spacetimestudios.com

[Octavius]

Just uninstall it. it's not that serious.

[slinky]

Just uninstall it. it's not that serious.

I guess unintstalling vBulletin would solve the problem...

Smahyane-STS - I see the problem on your site. I saw it on someone else's site as well and the blogs and CMS work but not the forum. The only thing I could come up with is the canonical URL issue which might be occurring, if what I'm seeing is representative of an issue. I don't know just yet.

[Dirt Bike Addict]

ISmahyane-STS - I see the problem on your site. I saw it on someone else's site as well and the blogs and CMS work but not the forum. The only thing I could come up with is the canonical URL issue which might be occurring, if what I'm seeing is representative of an issue. I don't know just yet.

I'm still confused as to what you think the issue is with the canonical URL?

Try this code instead:

<g:plusone href="{vb:raw href}"></g:plusone>

[slinky]

I'm still confused as to what you think the issue is with the canonical URL?

Try this code instead:

<g:plusone href="{vb:raw href}"></g:plusone>

Thanks -- Tried it and it didn't work. From another discussion it seems that Google requires that there be a single referenced link. If there are multiple, as is reported the case with VB dynamic URLs, then there is a possibility that it won't work properly. Whatever the case may be the code apparently works for blogs, cms but not for forums. With VBSEO, the plugin seems to work without a hitch. I don't have answers, just questions about whether this is a "hack" or it's just trying to deal with issues prior raised with the VB 4 core.

[bszopi]

I'm still confused as to what you think the issue is with the canonical URL?

Try this code instead:

<g:plusone href="{vb:raw href}"></g:plusone>

Didn't work for me, and I'm using Friendly URLs. I currently have the +1 button in the SHOWTHREAD template, and I too am getting the red icon with the exclamation point whenever I try to click on it.