I’m no Nostradamus so I can’t predict the future as to where Google + will go. I can say is that there’s quite some hype about it. Some say that it will trump Facebook while others say that Google is doomed to a similar outcome as Google Buzz. Which will it be? The answer, no one knows…yet. All we can analyze is what we are currently able to utilize while Google beta tests Business profiles behind closed doors.
So, what CAN you do on Google+?
Circles
What you can do is control exactly who is seeing your messages through a feature called Google Circles by creating groups such as ‘family,’ ‘coworkers,’ ‘high school friends,’ or ‘alumni’. An advanced hybrid of Facebook’s “lists”, Cirlces allows you to customize your messages and share it with the people that you truly want to see it.
What is the potential for advertisers? A huge benefit is in the ability to accurately target your conversations on an even more defined level, and ultimately, engaging the right people.
Hang Out
Another “plus” to Google+ is Google Hang Out. This video chatroom lets you chat with up to 10 people from anywhere. Perfect for business conferencing or boredom.
The advantage to this feature is in its great potential as an advanced Customer Service tool. You are taking communication with your followers beyond the common constraints of text and photos by adding a layer of real-time video interaction (and no Chatroullette doesn’t really compare as far as “valued” correspondence).
+1s
+1s are Google’s version of Facebook’s “like” button. Google, however, has a “+1” over Mark Zuckerberg because of its integration into the site that billions of searches are conducted a day, Google Search. In addition, it is interspersed into sites across the web.
+1s are Google’s version of Facebook’s “like” button. Google, however, has a “+1” over Mark Zuckerberg because of its integration into the site that billions of searches are conducted a day, Google Search. In addition, it is interspersed into sites across the web.
Similar to the “like“button, you use +1s to publicly show what you like, agree with, or recommend on the web. As you can see, Ben Parr likes the article I recommend too, and Google+ was kind enough to connect me straight to his profile. Another ^1 to Google is in its ability to customize your search result through your selected +1s and social connections.
A Leg Up
Google is the GOD of search. Dave Williams recently posted an article in AdAge describing the edge over Facebook:
Google is the GOD of search. Dave Williams recently posted an article in AdAge describing the edge over Facebook:
“Google knows what consumers want while Facebook, on the other hand, has a very clear understanding of what users like and who they know.”
Google’s personalized and relevant search results in combination with its social integration across all of its products will definitely make Google a force to be reckoned with, especially if they allow businesses to utilize its comprehensive knowledge of user data.
Will Google trump Facebook? It’s hard to say, especially at this state of uncertainty of Google’s potential. However, I have to avert the question to ask why can we not have both? The last time I checked the social world was big enough to hold two networking sites (LinkedIn and Twitter do still exist, right?). Founder and former president of Myspace, Tom Anderson, apparently agrees too. Social media doesn’t have to be a “winner takes all” and it would be idealistic to see a variety of networks thrive.
So my question is to you, Google and Facebook: why can’t we be several united communities coexisting in harmony?
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