Google Plus or simply G+. Nice name for a social networking website. I think Google+ means Google+Me. Initially there were rumors of Google me. Rumors were indeed right but the name slightly changed. You may have few questions, why is Google trying to catch up with Facebook, why should I join, will it be a hit? I'll try to answer these briefly.
Why is Google trying to catch up with Facebook?
Facebook already has 750 million users. It's the second most visited website after Google. Earlier this year it had even become the most visited website according to alexa. Is it the web traffic Google is worried about? Google wouldn't want to give up the No.1 position. But isn't it just load on their servers! In reality, internet companies want users to spend more time on their website and "click more ads". Another reason is search. People are sharing so much information on Facebook and Twitter. If you see the Google's mission statement, it is clear that their main focus is search. Everything they do is circled around search. Whether it be Chrome, Android and now Google+. Google is the default search engine in Android and Chrome without any cost to the company. (I actually love the fact that Google is accessible so easily, everywhere and hats off to Googlers for their intelligence!) One place Google is missing out in search is: Google doesn't know what a person likes or his friends do to provide a personalized search. Google+ is an effort to make the search better by knowing who your friends are and what they are sharing and their +1's on different websites . Few may complain about privacy or sharing data with Google+. Everyone is using Google for free and Google is trying to make the search better, there is nothing wrong in sharing general information, likes and dislikes(+1 and -1 in Google's language). Also, Google has so many services like Search, Picasa, Calendar, Gmail, Youtube, Maps etc. Other than Android there is no service which integrates everything together. With Google+ this can be done. Thus it clearly makes sense why Google+ exists.
Why should I join?
Because it's awesome! Google+ is a clearly thought project. It targets Facebook, Facebook pages, (also Twitter) in one shot. If you have a Google plus profile, you can connect with your friends, users can follow you (if you are a celeb). This can't be done in Facebook or Twitter. Here you can make your post available to everyone who is following you (have you in their circle) by making the post public or just the people whom you want to share with. I have seen many of them writing Circles and Facebook lists are similar. I say No. Reason: I've already said that.
Google talk is my all time favorite software. Even Gmail chat. I really don't like Facebook chat. And if you're a Twitter user you can't even chat with friends(followers). Oh ya, how can you forget invisible option in Gmail! Group chat, video chat too. Now even Facebook has these. Though 'Sparks' may not appeal for a lot of people, it's still good to have it. Just in case you have very few people in circles or you're bored. I'm not sure if anyone has used hangout till so far. Though a nice feature to have. No comments on huddle since I haven't used it so far.
Will Google+ be a hit?
Google is pushing really hard on this. Google has huge potential compared to Facebook. Facebook and Twitter are still the best in social networking. Chances are Facebook, Twitter and Google+ will coexist for few years to come. It all depends on the users and their emotional attachment to the service they like. Lets not forget how Orkut lost it's traffic to Facebook. Internet is free. People go for the best service available on internet. So there are chances Google+ will one day be the most popular social networking website. I'm just hoping that happens!!
Please feel free to provide any feedback or comment.
Note: This entire article is completely author's point of view. This is not intended to hurt anyone, biased or advertise about the product. Thanks for your time.
Why is Google trying to catch up with Facebook?
Facebook already has 750 million users. It's the second most visited website after Google. Earlier this year it had even become the most visited website according to alexa. Is it the web traffic Google is worried about? Google wouldn't want to give up the No.1 position. But isn't it just load on their servers! In reality, internet companies want users to spend more time on their website and "click more ads". Another reason is search. People are sharing so much information on Facebook and Twitter. If you see the Google's mission statement, it is clear that their main focus is search. Everything they do is circled around search. Whether it be Chrome, Android and now Google+. Google is the default search engine in Android and Chrome without any cost to the company. (I actually love the fact that Google is accessible so easily, everywhere and hats off to Googlers for their intelligence!) One place Google is missing out in search is: Google doesn't know what a person likes or his friends do to provide a personalized search. Google+ is an effort to make the search better by knowing who your friends are and what they are sharing and their +1's on different websites . Few may complain about privacy or sharing data with Google+. Everyone is using Google for free and Google is trying to make the search better, there is nothing wrong in sharing general information, likes and dislikes(+1 and -1 in Google's language). Also, Google has so many services like Search, Picasa, Calendar, Gmail, Youtube, Maps etc. Other than Android there is no service which integrates everything together. With Google+ this can be done. Thus it clearly makes sense why Google+ exists.
Why should I join?
Because it's awesome! Google+ is a clearly thought project. It targets Facebook, Facebook pages, (also Twitter) in one shot. If you have a Google plus profile, you can connect with your friends, users can follow you (if you are a celeb). This can't be done in Facebook or Twitter. Here you can make your post available to everyone who is following you (have you in their circle) by making the post public or just the people whom you want to share with. I have seen many of them writing Circles and Facebook lists are similar. I say No. Reason: I've already said that.
Google talk is my all time favorite software. Even Gmail chat. I really don't like Facebook chat. And if you're a Twitter user you can't even chat with friends(followers). Oh ya, how can you forget invisible option in Gmail! Group chat, video chat too. Now even Facebook has these. Though 'Sparks' may not appeal for a lot of people, it's still good to have it. Just in case you have very few people in circles or you're bored. I'm not sure if anyone has used hangout till so far. Though a nice feature to have. No comments on huddle since I haven't used it so far.
Will Google+ be a hit?
Google is pushing really hard on this. Google has huge potential compared to Facebook. Facebook and Twitter are still the best in social networking. Chances are Facebook, Twitter and Google+ will coexist for few years to come. It all depends on the users and their emotional attachment to the service they like. Lets not forget how Orkut lost it's traffic to Facebook. Internet is free. People go for the best service available on internet. So there are chances Google+ will one day be the most popular social networking website. I'm just hoping that happens!!
Please feel free to provide any feedback or comment.
Note: This entire article is completely author's point of view. This is not intended to hurt anyone, biased or advertise about the product. Thanks for your time.
