The Google+ Buttons are a collection of buttons and publisher integration points that applications, websites, and other services (collectively, "Publishers") can add to websites so that Google+ users can connect to and share on Google+. These include:
The policies below, as well as the Google Terms of Service, govern a Publisher's use of the Google+ Buttons.
Publishers may not attempt to discover the identity of a Google+ Button user unless the user consents to share his or her identity with the Publisher via a Google-approved authorization procedure. This prohibition includes identifying users by correlating Google+ Button reporting data from Google with Publisher data.
Publishers may not sell or transmit to others any data about a user related to the user's use of any Google+ Button. For the avoidance of doubt, this prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any use of pixels, cookies, or other methods to recognize users’ clicks on a Google+ Button, the data of which is then disclosed, sold, or otherwise shared with other parties.
Publishers may not alter or obfuscate a Google+ Button, and Publishers may not associate a Google+ Button with advertising content, such as putting the Google+ Button on or adjacent to an ad, or placing ads in shared content, unless authorized to do so by Google. Publishers also may not place in shared content any text, image, or other content that violates the Google+ User Content and Conduct Policy.
For buttons that may be rendered by the Publisher, such as the Sharing Link, the Publisher must use only the official Google-provided icon or a plain text and link combination. In either case Publishers must not mislead users as to the purpose of the link.
Publishers may not direct users to click a Google+ Button for purposes of misleading users. Publishers may not promote prizes, monies, or monetary equivalents in exchange for Google+ Button clicks. For the avoidance of doubt, Publishers may direct users to a Google+ Button to enable content and functionality. When a Publisher directs users to a Google+ Button, the button action must be related to the Publisher or the Publisher’s content. For the +1 Button, the content or functionality that is enabled for the user must also be accessible to any of the user’s social connections who also enable it.
Google may analyze Publishers' use of a Google+ Button including to ensure Publishers’ compliance with these policies and to facilitate Google’s development of Google+ Buttons. By using a Google+ Button, Publishers give Google permission to utilize an automated software program, often called a "web crawler,” to retrieve and analyze websites associated with a Google+ Button.
