Google+ Project. Their attempt at being social

[Chunkford]

Announced earlier today, Google has gone 1 step further with their social plans and introduced a new platform called Google+ Project.
http://searchengineland.com/googles...e-google-social-network-finally-arrives-83401

It seems interesting, but I can't help thinking it's going to take a lot more than this to get a fair share of Facebook's traffic, and more importantly how to use it to generate business from.

Your thoughts?

 

[gilchrist]

The Plus 1 introduced by Google is not only a attempt for becoming social. It may be a ranking factor from back end. Let google see how many people really like you and want to see you in rankings.

 

[Chunkford]

This isn't the +1, this is something completely different

 

[crossdaz]

Announced earlier today, Google has gone 1 step further with their social plans and introduced a new platform called Google+ Project.
http://searchengineland.com/googles...e-google-social-network-finally-arrives-83401

It seems interesting, but I can't help thinking it's going to take a lot more than this to get a fair share of Facebook's traffic, and more importantly how to use it to generate business from.

Your thoughts?

I don't think Danny was very impressed? There is another mention here which has a bit more information.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/40779/google-takes-on-facebook-google

I'm not on facebook so don't really know how similar it is but the Circles thing looked like a positive for me. If this kind of feature wasn't available on facebook then I'm surprised as it seems a logical thing to do?

It's going to appeal to people who are not using facebook (yes, there are such people) because it's not facebook. Whether it gets traction from the masses is hard to say - I guess we'll be a lot wiser in 5 years time?

The one positive for google is that they don't need this to take off - they already have a profitable business. The negative for facebook is that they need it to fail.

 

[Chunkford]

Na, Danny didn't come across as very enthusiastic. It's missing the wow factor I think. I mean it looks like it has the minerals, but it's missing something. Like lamb without the mint gravy.

 

[GreatSEO]

Lamb without the mint gravy - Now that is a sin



Dave

 

[crossdaz]

Na, Danny didn’t come across as very enthusiastic. It’s missing the wow factor I think. I mean it looks like it has the minerals, but it’s missing something. Like lamb without the mint gravy.

I know what the gravy is: crawlable links

 

[RadiusBPO]

Will all the people who still have only hotmail, AOL or any other ISP email address be able join Google+ like they can join FB?? Probably not so FB win there.

Circles lets you share to a few people, isn't most of Social about trying to either boast about your great life or complain that kids are screaming or you hate your job? In all cases most people want everyone to see that.

Can't see where it will inspire a community like FB pages do, looks like we each make our own circles and there is no room for fun pages.



...And whats the hell up with the url being below titles now? I thought they were trying to devalue the benefit of an exact match domain!

 

[thetime22]

Beat me to it.

 

[ColinC]

I will be patiently waiting for my invite to Google+. I think it looks really good and no doubt will be incorporated into Google algorithms soon, if not already!

 

[Andrew Baker]

From what I've read and watched so far, Google+ has a great UI and some excellent social features.

The problem Google face is most Google users don't have their social connections within their contacts or profile. Convincing users to spend time using the project will be challenging if there is no-one to engage with.

I think the success of the Google+ Project is implementing simple integration with Facebook & Twitter so social connections can be easily migrated.

 

[RadiusBPO]

From what I've read and watched so far, Google+ has a great UI and some excellent social features.

The problem Google face is most Google users don't have their social connections within their contacts or profile. Convincing users to spend time using the project will be challenging if there is no-one to engage with.

I think the success of the Google+ Project is implementing simple integration with Facebook & Twitter so social connections can be easily migrated.

There's almost no way FB will allow that

 

[thetime22]

So now there is Google+, and Google +1. Kinda confusing don't you think?

 

[RadiusBPO]

So now there is Google+, and Google +1. Kinda confusing don't you think?

What is it actually called?

Google Plus, Google Addition, Google Add?

 

[Curious]

So now there is Google+, and Google +1. Kinda confusing don't you think?

Yes. And in Danny's article I read that the two aren't automatically corrected at the moment either.. So if you +1 it isn't connected with your + account. Which seems daft.

And am I the only one that isn't really convinced by all of this? It seems to hinge a lot on people transferring info into G and really starting to use their profiles etc. And if they're going to use a phased roll out then I can't see it really gaining traction that easily or quickly..

 

[GreatSEO]

So next brand move for Google must be

google places = google+2
analytics = google+3 etc etc

Dave

 

[lari]

I'm also playing around with Google+ atm and the most fun I've had so far was importing my entire Facebook friend list through Yahoo to Google+. ;-)

http://www.internationalmarketingguys.com/2011/06/how-to-import-facebook-contacts-to.html

 

[thetime22]

Here is a promo video for Google+ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwnJ5Bl4kLI&feature=youtu.be

 

[I, Brian]

Google is miffed that Facebook won't share it's data with it - so Google creates a social network site so it can directly grab more data on internet users.

Well, there's an incentive to sign up!!

 

[Saija Mahon]

I'm very intrigued by this new launch as well - looking forward to seeing what impact it will have - however I suspect it's there to ultimately tie in with the Google +1 feature, perhaps the social platform will be integrated with search results (a bit like what Facebook is doing with Bing at the moment).

This will inevitably impact the search results rankings and also the amount of clicks on particular listings (kersching for Google!)

Also, perhaps internally in the Google + social platform - you can buy ad space based on each 'circle community' and what their interests are...

Food for thought for sure
Best,
Saija

 

[UKSBD]

I think it's all geared towards profiles, the small subtle changes they are making to Google Profiles almost on a weekly basis all points to a Google Profile page being like a facebook page.

Last night they moved stuff out of the left hand pane in profiles.
I wouldn't mind betting so as to make room for a new sidebar.

If they combine Profiles as it is now with wordpress like self editable sidebar where you drag and drop stuff in to it will be the killer move.

All they have to do then is make more people aware that they already have a Profile page (if they have any other Google account they already have one) and then encourage people to use it the same as they use their facebook page.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I think it sounds pretty good. I guess it'll all depend on how it actually works.

Steve

 

[lari]

Looks like we managed to jam the invite mechanism already!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/107117483540235115863/posts/PhJFJqLyRnm

If Google thinks we are already over capacity you can only imagine how many people rushed to send invites...

 

[Andrew Baker]

Testing out the features of Google+ this morning, first impressions very slick UI, just need a few more connections and I can see this becoming quite a useful product (project)...

Andrew

 

[UKSBD]

All they have to do then is make more people aware that they already have a Profile page (if they have any other Google account they already have one) and then encourage people to use it the same as they use their facebook page.

They set up a new profile button page in the past few hours
http://www.google.com/webmasters/profilebutton/
Another way of encouraging people to use their profile more.

 

[Chunkford]

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to think it might actually work.
The reason... it integrates into their biggest asset, the SERPS

 

[Consultant sea]

Is there likely to be a business version/idea of this or is it just a matter of creating [email protected] and making the info about your business? Is this likely to work with google apps where you have [email protected] hosted on google?

 

[Chunkford]

It doesn't work with Google app account AFAIK
And no there isn't any business option, but I'm sure this will happen over time.

But of course, you can use it to self promote, and the +sparks looks interesting to gain fellow people who think alike and to drive them to a blog etc

 

[OldWelshGuy]

The reason many of us are not that impressed is that we did it years ago when Google announcd their first social network called Orkut !

This is the only Google invite that I have ignored.

I don't trust Google any longer , their quest for world domination is getting a little bit creepy.

I don't like the way they do things on your computer without asking, such as automatically updating the toolbar, while at the same time overriding your privacy settings (but not telling you that).

I have got to the stage now where I block all google cookies and use different machines to do different things, as I am sick to the back teeth of Google riding roughshod over my privacy settings.

I honestly don't think Google can be trusted any longer with our data. The way they grabbed passwords etc while the google streetview cars were out, yet only deleted them AFTER it went to court. WHY SO?

Some kid attempts a hack grabs some personal data and is arrested. Google hack into your private networks, grabbing packets of data illegally, yet they don't even get a fine, just told to behave or else (they will be told to behave again)

 

[debbidoo]

I honestly don't think Google can be trusted any longer with our data.

Interesting comment, OWG, and I agree. I started this thread a few months ago after one of my clients was contacted by an AdWords management company owned by ex-Google staff, using a combination of contact details that has only ever been used for setting up an AdWords account. I wrote to Google's security team a couple of times and never received a reply (other than an automatic "thanks for getting in touch" message). I also blogged the full story, if anyone's interested.

What's really worrying about that particular story is that the client later had his card cancelled by the bank and reissued with a different number, due to suspected fraud. I have no idea whether this is in any way connected to the AdWords thing, but Google's failure to respond to my emails has made me lose a lot of faith in them.

No idea whether Google+ will be any good (will give it a try I suppose) - but my first thoughts when I heard about it were along the lines of "yadda yadda yadda"

Agree also with James' comment about Google's attempts at world domination getting a bit creepy. Variety is the spice of life, and I don't want my entire online activity being owned by Google, thank you very much.

 

[terryuk]

I think a profile Google could be it's down turn, a few million accounts to be created soon no doubt and jam it up a little. Will get abused.

I am liking the new look though

 

[crossdaz]

I honestly don't think Google can be trusted any longer with our data. The way they grabbed passwords etc while the google streetview cars were out, yet only deleted them AFTER it went to court. WHY SO?

Some kid attempts a hack grabs some personal data and is arrested. Google hack into your private networks, grabbing packets of data illegally, yet they don't even get a fine, just told to behave or else (they will be told to behave again)

Wasn't it google who reported they had gotten the data by accident?

 

[Chunkford]

Accident!
How the hell can you accidentally grab passwords etc when taking photos of streets! :|

 

[golddust08]

Dose anyone have a invite for a poor man looking for hand outs?

 

[crossdaz]

Accident!
How the hell can you accidentally grab passwords etc when taking photos of streets! :|

I think they were mapping wi-fi hotspots or something like that?

As I understand it they realised what happened and reported the matter themselves. If people were broadcasting their open wi-fi connections to all and sundry then maybe they should be grateful this happened?

I'm not saying Google are pure as the driven snow but considering most organisations are as secure as their most bent employee then Google is high up on my list of ones not to worry about.

 

[Chunkford]

I think they were mapping wi-fi hotspots or something like that?

As I understand it they realised what happened and reported the matter themselves. If people were broadcasting their open wi-fi connections to all and sundry then maybe they should be grateful this happened?

I'm not saying Google are pure as the driven snow but considering most organisations are as secure as their most bent employee then Google is high up on my list of ones not to worry about.

That makes sense. I suppose killing two birds with one stone comes to mind

They couldn't be worse than ...cough...Sony...cough...PSN....

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Google admitted the error AFTER the story was broken when the underground picked up on what they were doing .

Google kept the data, and didn't destroy it until the courts ordered it. they have a more serious problem though as they got away with it in the UK, but then continued to 'accidentally' do the same in France !

Now as we all know the french are not as 'understanding' as us brits, and they nailed Google with a 100,000 Euro fine.

oh ands to all those who believe this was innocent, they syphoned down everything from IP addresses to BANK DETAILS! and they did this for FOUR YEARS . Surely no-one can be so naive as not to realise what they ahd done?

The fine was levied against Google for acquiring personal data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks from 2007 to 2010.
The private data -- which included passwords, personal e-mails, online banking information and Web browsing histories -- was siphoned by Google's Street View cars and bicycles, which photograph 360-degree images of streets for Google's online maps.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/03/google-street-view-fined-france.html

 

[I, Brian]

Just logged in - interface is a bit cold, and some issues need tweaking.

However, it immediately becomes apparent that Google has only set this up for advertising purposes.

Automatically checked box when you sign in (you need to uncheck to opt out):

Google may use my information to personalise content and ads on non-Google websites

There's a little question mark to explain, and if you click you end up on a help page which explains more clearly:
http://www.google.com/support/profi...ge=guide.cs&guide=1364508&answer=1152622&rd=1

+1 on non-Google sites and your web activity

When you click the +1 button, you're explicitly signalling interest in displaying, sharing or recommending specific online content, including ads. So if your friend chooses to +1 an ad, page or search result, you might see that +1 on other websites. Google stores your +1's to personalise the web, for example, by showing them to your social connections and others who may find it relevant.

People sharing ads??

No - Google saying that they will personalise ads for you according to all the likes on your social connection.

Complete fail, seriously, but no doubt Google's trick of limiting access - as they did with Gmail - will ensure headless chickens will flock to sign up, while simultaneously pretending they want to protect their privacy.

People get upset when they see CCTV cameras watching them, yet don't worry at all when a multi-billion dollar multinational offers them something spurious for free in return for all their personal information - and their friends!!

 

[Chunkford]

I managed to get in too yesterday, and first impressions was WTF?? Totally confused!

So I thought I need to add friends to it so I used the yahoo trick and got my facebook friends email address added. But I was still confused.
I added some to a circle and..... yep still confused.
So I found some other people by looking at their circles. I added them to a circle and I then I started to see stuff in my feed. Hum, OK.
This morning, I've managed to actually get some friends to join up, and I'm still confused.
It's not what I expected. To me, it's more like Twitter, with a splash of Facebook.

 

[I, Brian]

What I found freaking is that it's already suggesting the names of my writers as friends.

And that I've only been on an hour before someone has added me (automatically) as a friend without my saying so. This is going to be such a paradise for spammers.