Google Plus has made social media better in 4 ways. So, let’s accentuate the positives about that other social network and be glad Google tried.
Google Plus has made social media better. In the 5 years since the search giant, Google, launched the social network, much has happened. I credit Google Plus with having an influences on many of these changes.
Bob and I recently dedicated a Social Monday Podcast episode to Google+. Was there anything positive to say? I mean, a few months ago, Google threw it off the proverbial skyscraper and now we’re left looking at the sidewalk to see which pieces are still intact and which ones will need to be pressure washed off the sidewalk (yes, the sidewalk did crack a little).
So, with all the apathetic(and maybe a few negative) feelings about Google Plus, I’d like to give several points about why we’re better off because it exists . . .
1) Live Video: Around the time Google Plus was launched in 2011, Facebook and Skype got together and introduced live video to the social giant. There have been some twists and turns in that relationship, but the concept was introduced and live video is now a social mainstay.
2) Google Hangouts: Hangouts and Hangouts on Air continue to be one of the best ways to hold conversation remotely. I’m now a big fan of Blab, but Hangouts gets a hat-tip when I think of participating in a video conversation. I still even use it from time-to-time.
3) The concept of Groups: I liked how Google Plus’ Circles operated. Facebook Groups as well as newer apps have introduced us all to the concept of a more private social experience. My friends at Social Media Examiner interviewed social media marketing experts to talk about their predictions for 2016. One of the major points was the rise of private spaces for social. I’ve noticed this trend with my own social media activity–I tend to post more regularly in private groups than on an organization’s public profile.
4) Rise of Pinterest and the Use of Images: Let’s face it–Google Plus is a more attractive platform than Facebook. I enjoy scrolling through the network’s feed to see the different image sizes that people have uploaded. When it comes to looking for recipes, I’ll go to Pinterest…If I’m looking for beautiful photos, I’m on Instagram. But, I’ll give some credit to Google Plus for stoking the fire for good-looking images on social.
As Google Plus looks to the future, I think this article from Social Media Today sums it up well:
It was quickly realized that despite efforts to make Google+ a place for users to accomplish practically anything online, it was overwhelming to have that many capabilities in one place. As of late, their focus has been on creating a better place for conversations to happen around a mutual interest rather than a one-stop shop approach.
Perhaps trying to do too much has been Google Plus’ biggest downfall. Maybe, after all the pieces have been picked-up, it’ll be a great success story of how a tech giant learned to find a niche. Social media is better for having Google Plus and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the future of Google Plus. Does the platform have a future in your marketing plans? Connect with me on Facebook and I’m also on Twitter.
Hear Bob Turner and me discuss Google Plus in our recent Social Monday Podcast episode.
