Google Plus and How It’s Interrupting Social Media
Social media is not a new concept, but Google Plus is quickly changing the way social media is used. As the newest site to the family of social media applications, Google Plus quickly became the fastest growing social media websites available. Since its beta was released in June 2011, approximately 250 million people have jumped on board, with 25 million people joining Google Plus in the first two months alone. Like we do with all SEO NJ customers, this is a huge part of local NJ SEO strategy.
Google Plus brings along some of the features social media fans have grown accustomed to, with several new ones that will entice users to spend more time on the Google-owned site. With their newest developments, Google Plus is actively interrupting their social media competitors and more users switch over to the newest social media site.
About Google Plus
Google Plus brings along some features of their predecessors, including adding friends to your page, having an instant feed, and uploading pictures. However, they also have implemented dozens of new features, including video hangouts with multiple people, easy business promotion, and advanced settings such as only letting certain people view status updates. With their newest features, Google Plus’s main competitors are having to adapt to the changes which is ultimately affecting social media as a whole. Google Plus is quickly revolutionizing the way social media is handled.
Integrating Google Plus Features
Since Google Plus was released in 2011, there have been many changes at other social media sites. Their competitors are quickly jumping on the bandwagon and incorporating some of the features Google Plus has introduced. With this, includes the enhanced privacy features and the ability to choose who sees your status updates, photos, and videos. Google Plus lets you separate your followers into different groups, so that when you post a status update, it is only seen by certain “circles.” If you want to speak about a personal matter that isn’t appropriate for your boss’s eyes, you can hide it from your circle containing co-workers and colleagues.
Live Video Chat with Google Hangouts
Google Plus is affecting social media in a variety of ways, including their simple video feature, the Hangout. Google Plus hangouts are a way of video chatting with your friends and family through Google Plus, in an easy, user-friendly manner. Not only can you video chat with one person, but a group of people can have a “hangout” which is far beyond what video chat services like Skype and Facebook applications will offer.
Less is More
If you have spent any time on Facebook, you know how distracted it can become. The site is a wealth of information, but sometimes can be overwhelming. Google Plus has done the opposite and made their social media site with a simplistic look and more
natural feel. While not as user-friendly for its newest users, it has an interface that is easy on the eyes and simple to navigate once users get a hang of it. Your page won’t be loaded with game invites and other uninteresting news stories taking up your feed.
Benefits for Businesses
Google Plus has also opened the door for businesses to improve their success with the help of the social media site. One way is through the +1 button. Google Plus’s +1 Button gives Google users the ability to promote websites and businesses they enjoy by clicking this button either on the website itself, or on the Google search engine results. The button is an easy way to have your business promoted by past customers or consumers that enjoy your site. Google Plus is paving the way for other social media sites to improve their business promotion features and tools.
REFERENCE:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/03/google-plus-fastest-growing-social_n_917389.html