It’s like this: Facebook has owned the social networking space. Google can’t stand to have anyone eat even a bit of their lunch. Google’s been trying to develop a product to compete with Facebook for years. There was the Buzz attempt and the Wave attempt, both failures.
Now, we have Google+ and +1, Google’s answer to a social network and the “like” button, respectively. It’s a worthy competitor to Facebook, I think and has been adopted so quickly by millions that only apathy or difficulty managing the tool will keep it from being a success. My husband, not a social guy, said it was, for him, the opportunity to fix all the mistakes he made accepting “friends” on Facebook.
Google+ is a Facebook Mulligan.
So what IS Google+, and do we care?
Pros:
- It’s easier to create circles in Google+ than creating and managing lists in Facebook has EVER been.
- The interface is really clean and so far, uncluttered.
- There’s no Farmville. Yet.
- There’s no need to export and upload contacts; Google already knows more about you than you do.
- It’s simpler to manage both a personal and professional presence online, and easier to figure out that you’re sharing party pics with friends
Cons:
- It’s another social network to manage and as yet, there are not tools to integrate Google+ into existing platforms (that’ll change).
- Some people may be lulled into false senses of security, trusting Google more than Facebook, since Facebook has a history of jeopardizing and bastardizing collected information. Guess what? Google has, too, but for some reason we’ve been largely OK with that.
Personally, I’m not yet jazzed about Google+. I feel overwhelmed by the number of people I need to sort into circles, and the need to post content in another location. I may get over that, soon once Google+ proves some value to me. It’s early yet.
I did use it to share a link to a workshop I gave recently and asked a group of business contacts to help me “sell” it — that worked nicely and it was helpful to see the flow of conversation that happened in association with the request.
Some good posts from around the interwebz on Google+:
- From GeekSugar
- From Business Insider
- From Spin Sucks
- From Inkling Media
I’m interested in YOUR Google+ successes, likes and dislikes, so fire away!
I love G+. Adore it. Want FB to go away entirely. I wrote my thoughts earlier this week here: http://wishingheart.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/geeking-out-on-google/
Other posts I’ve seen about G+ that I’ve found interesting or useful include an infographic comparing G+ and FB, G+ posts on why G+ is NOT Facebook and should not be treated as such, and a great “G+ for Beginners” post from HuffPost:
– http://www.technobombs.com/infographic-facebook-vs-google/
– https://plus.google.com/102615863344410467759/posts/64V2CXXpy7S
– https://plus.google.com/102615863344410467759/posts/3knJzE9jjtG
– https://plus.google.com/102615863344410467759/posts/JmsWmdLXFjJ
– http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/12/google-plus-guide-tips-for-newbies_n_896350.html
Great post, and thanks for the links. The jury’s still out here. I’m looking forward to seeing what it can do for business.
Awesome no BS blog post about the tool! Mr. D and I talked about it this morning. He doesn’t like it. He said, “I’m already on Facebook. I don’t need another one.” I tried explaining that, once they integrate their other apps, he’ll have no need to go anywhere else. But alas. I’m the early adopter in our house, I guess.
I love Google+. Like I posted a few days ago on there, Google’s won me over. I just wish it would do the same with all my friends. 🙂
@Giovanni Hashimoto HA! Yes, it’s going to take awhile — but probably only a week or so!
@Giovanni Hashimoto Oh and, Giovanni, I love your name. That is all.
@khall27 Thanks Kristin — yes, I agree. I plan to watch carefully.
@Marijean @Giovanni Hashimoto Wait. With an awesome name like Jaggers you’re like MY name? 🙂
I just got my first invite today (speak of the devil!) and I’m looking forward to exploring soon. As a pretty regular NYTimes reader, it was Pogue’s recent review that made me curious; your summary convinces me that it’s at least worth a shot. Thanks for the nudge!
You’re welcome @RachelBrozenske — I will be very interested in your impression, as well as how you manage your circles (especially if you do end up with only one BIG circle).