Google Plus launched five months ago. The fastest-growing social network: 40 million users counted in the month of October. Google Plus continues to move forward; new features and improvements keep coming.
One new feature is Google+ Pages, which allows companies to start their own page within Google Plus. However, it is still considerably smaller than Facebook. Facebook users are connected to their circle of friends, family, and colleagues. On Google+, you have specific groups, such as photographers. These groups are very active on Google+, but for the average visitor, that is not of interest. Many people who have now become Google+ users may have been lured by the idea that Google+ looks very much like Facebook. But isn't Google Plus being underestimated by this?
What is the difference?
Google Plus is a social network in some respects, but not in others. You can potentially use Google Plus in conjunction with other Google applications. Think of the search engine, email, intranet and extranet, and blog. Of course, there are many more possibilities. Essentially, Google+ is a social website where it is possible to use other Google services as well. So, you can personalize it for your family and friends, but you can also engage in complete marketing communication.
Is Google+ really a social network?
Yes, but not just a social network. Google+ is also an online platform. So the social aspect is just one component. Google+ takes Facebook as the starting point for what constitutes social. People can connect online with both acquaintances and strangers. But what happens when Google+ continues to grow and more friends, family, and colleagues join? At that point, you will see that Google+ becomes more of a social network. Of course, the network continues to grow and grow. Those who successfully use Google+ indicate that the social interaction is of high quality. So, essentially, you could say that users themselves ensure the quality remains high!
What does Google actually want to achieve?
That was the question I was asking myself. Google's goal is not to become a second Facebook, but they do want to beat Facebook. What is very interesting is that Google's revenue is higher than Facebook's, namely $38 billion. Even though more people spend time on Facebook.
Ready to see how Snowflake works?
So Google+ is indeed a social network, only much more extensive in concept than Facebook. Being social isn't just about contact and sharing things with your friends. Being social is also about meeting new people, collaborating, discussing, doing business, and much more! Google+ makes this possible.
I think Google+ is going to grow a lot and might even become bigger than Facebook. Still, I think some people will stick to Facebook only, because they find it too much to keep up with, for example, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+... Perhaps this varies from person to person. What do you think?