What's the buzz- Google+

The social networking site started by Google known as Google+ was third attempt by Google to launch itself in this space which it had not yet been able to crack. 

Now they have been successful to an extent. They have tried in a very innovative fashion by introducing various features as well as combination of features which would help them in differentiating from other sites primarily Facebook. The fact that Google+  is not just an social networking site but it one of the services offered by Google so they decided to integrate it with all their other offerings like You tube ,Gmail etc.

 After few futile attempts Google realized that they needed not just a social networking site but a platform where multiple parties can benefit which would also help in differentiating them from others. The immense popularity of Facebook with having more than a billion active users has left many baffled including Google which led it to the launch of Google+. 

Vic Gundotra at the launch of Google+ in their official blog described the need for Google+ by stating that "We’d like to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software. We want to make Google better by including you, your relationships, and your interests. And so begins the Google+ project:"

The success of Google+ is highly debated with divided opinions among analyst because although there is surge among users with around 500 million but one is not sure whether they are active users or not. Although there are half a billion users but it accounts for only 2% of all social media sphere. But the reason why it is debated because Google shares the user’s activity on any of its platforms on Google+ which makes the users account busy with content but whether or not the user users actually view the site is still doubtful. They have also kept in mind the advertisers point of view which are always on scout of useful data to have a deep insight of customers.

Now this is where they score because since Google+ is an integrated platform which keeps a detailed account of every activity across Google other features this provides the most comprehensive information regarding the user covering every aspect. The various features of Google+ like circles which was a unique concept on its own.

Google+ Circles launch videos series

These are the circles or group of your contacts and hangout which  has been really attractive for many users because this feature help one to classify their contacts in a schematic fashion which eventually no other site offer. Features like circles and other has helped Google+  to attract more matured users as compared to Facebook where young more prefer to consume time. Many of the other sites don’t offer such features which would create a club of contacts although sometimes deciding upon a circle for some contacts becomes confusing. Other regular features like photo & video sharing are there but they are connected with new concepts of real time streams where your any activity regarding any content is immediately uploaded and also receive updated about your friends. Because of these features Google+ has been able to maintain growth in user base.

                        

Although it has not been as famous as Facebook but these features like integration with other platforms & real time updates has attracted many professionals who depend upon networking for their business. An example which throws light is that of New Zealand photographer Trey Ratcliff who has around 5 million followers on Google+ which he is able to keep track on.

Now this is the point many analyst are saying like Media works, a marketing agency quoted that no individual users are quite interested in maintaining their Google+ account unless you are a professional. Since it is an integrated platform the Google+ presence will enable professional firms to establish their presence on Google database which would help when one puts up a search their name would pop up first. 

       

The statistics released by many agencies including analysis by Global Web Index states that Google+ is growing faster than Twitter although later has caught up substantially. Now the problem here is that unlike Facebook story where there was one cause for its rise & rise which is craze the opinions for rise of Google+ is highly divided because the credit is not directly given to Google+ as in case of Facebook but instead due to external factors. 

Sad/True Story of Google+

Here external factors like Facebook Fatigue where people get bored of using Facebook especially with ever increasing piracy complications as well as it being a Google product which means if you a presence on Google product the whole world will know you if searched upon which is even reflected in the Google statement when they state that they want to give users a perfect Google experience.

Basically in the end business is about numbers and Google has achieved a potentially impressive number of half a billion users either way but now the future is tough & will depend upon their strategies. It has been proven great for business and marketing but let’s see if they can really transform the Google experience which they claim to for an ordinary user.