Isn’t adding yet another social media to the mix a bit like adding another singing or dancing reality show to the TV line-up? Can’t we just Facebook, Tweet, YouTube, Digg, Stumble upon, and link in with what we have? Is there really new ground to be broken by the way we connect online?
The fact that this latest incarnation of the next big thing comes from the monolithic Google is a bit of a double edged sword. On the up side, it’s Google, so pay attention as they have earned the right to be taken seriously. On the other side of the coin, It’s Google, they’ve tried this before and failed. More than once.
I think many people were prepared for Google+ to be another attempt to take a bite out of Facebook that would likely fall short – I was one of those people. But as the buzz over the new release spreads around we are seeing some truly innovative aspects to Google+. My own personal litmus test for these types of products is if I find myself thinking “Wow, how come nobody had thought of this?”. I think the key is to try and create something that imitates people’s present behaviors as opposed to asking them to adopt to new ones. That “attitude” alone is one of the keys behind the success of Facebook.
I should disclaim that I have not actually used Google+. In fact, very few people have and the internet is abuzz this week with people trying to get “invited” into the party. I have read posts and blogs and seen video from people who have been fortunate enough to be included in the first round of testing but what I am sharing is admittedly second and third hand. I have also read some in-depth reviews that go much deeper into the thoughts, psychology and technology behind Google+ and attempt to guru portal them into some plain language.
Google+ is built on four main pillars and they vary, in my opinion, from kinda neat to downright brilliant with a loud “Why didn’t anybody think of that before!”. Here is a brief synopsis of each and if you’re like me, you can’t wait to play with them.
Circles – This is just so simple and touches on the “imitating peoples behaviors” I spoke about above. We may have hundreds of Facebook friends but they are not always compatible. A picture of me playing beer pong last friday with a stupid look on my face and a taco stain on my shirt is fine for some people to see and I am OK with some of the more colourfull comments it would evoke. But my kids are my Facebook friends, so is my uncle, many of my clients, and my sister-in-law who doesn’t drink, so I may think twice about posting that picture. It’s not like I fear an Anthony Wiener scenario but I simply don’t talk to all of my Facebook friends in the same manner. Do you? Circles simply allows you to group your friends together by how you interact with them. Friends, family, co-workers, extended family. People can be members of one or more, or all of your circles and you can communicate to them more appropriately. Even though this is something of a mirror of Twitter lists I still think it is a big step forward.
Hangouts – Some people are saying this is a no big deal as it really just brings something similar to ichat into your broader social media. I agree it is hardly breaking ground but I think most people have considerably more Facebook friends than they do chat buddies spread out over a myriad of popular chat software. If it works as I understand you will log on and see a group of friends chatting and have the option of joining in. The beauty of it being that if Google+ takes off then you will see all of your regular “chatters” in one place.
Huddles – Exactly what it sounds like where groups of people can get together in a “chat room” to discuss something. This struck home for me because I go through something every week that something like Huddles will instantly solve. I play golf with the same group of guys every Friday and Thursday is usually this web of text messages and phone calls where we discuss where we are playing, when, and who can make it. It never runs smoothly so one of the first things I will do once I get onto Google+ is get these meatheads on board and save a lot of aggravation.
Sparks – Is something that I am curious to learn more about. If I understand correctly it is an element of a search engine (it’s Google, D’uh!) that ranks items based on how they are viewed by other people in your circles. Search results will be impacted by how your friends feel about whatever it is you are searching for. One of the keys to sparks will be the “+1″ button which is basically a “like” button in this new network but “+1″‘s will have even greater value because the will ultimately impact the SEO of a web page. With that said, please head down and hit my “+1″ button.
I am, at the same time, a horrible skeptic and an over-excitable fool when it comes to stuff like this. In the matter of the last 24 hours I have done the full shift. I really think this is going to be something!
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