One of the characteristics of any conversation about Google+ is a view that not many people actually use it – mostly the “users” versus “active users” argument – and how it will fail as it’s not like Facebook or Twitter as a social network.
Speaking as an “active user” since Google field trialled Google+ in mid 2011, I’d agree with that latter point – it isn’t like Facebook or Twitter.
Don’t take my word for it, though – hear what a voice of Google has to say on the matter.
The Drum reports on Google UK’s head of agency sales, Matt Bush, speaking at an event during Social Media Week London this week:
We don’t want to be another Facebook or Twitter, which is why we haven’t really been bothered about trying to tell that story too radically because we can see that the numbers are going up, and engagement is going up.
Critically, we are not a platform that is about connecting you with your friends. That’s not necessarily what we are trying to add.
What it is about is trying to offer people the information they want at the right time and searching for information or people that you care about or take information from, when you want it most. That’s the overarching strategy.
According to The Drum, Bush also said:
[…] the next set of user figures released for Google+ will “blow your mind”, although he admitted that the platform still “had work to do”.
Some credible-looking metrics about Google+ were published earlier this week, suggesting Google+ now has more than 1 billion users. No satisfaction yet for the critics, though, on a breakdown of “users” vs “active users.”
Stay tuned for the official word.
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25 responses to “The over-arching strategy for Google+”
The over-arching strategy for Google+ http://t.co/NemHLrGkxu
Hobson: The over-arching strategy for Google+: One of the characteristics of any conversation about Google+ is… http://t.co/auDr3R3KK1
That’s not what they planned, though, is it?
Dean Whitbread Isn’t it? You have inside info on that? Do tell :)
I recall the noises upon launch. This smacks of revisionist PR to me.
How to re-write failures as intentions..
I see the glass more from the half-full perspective…
I’m not saying that it’s positive or negative; just that Facebook/Twitter-killer it ain’t..
I guess what bugs me (and stops me giving it another try) is the way every Google service is slowly ratcheting me into +
YouTube comments – now that is interesting. You can surely say that their “Real” ID stance is an over-arching strategy.
Google+ does not want to be Facebook. It aims to “offer people the information they want at the right time”: http://t.co/CnFepYZ0t6
Ivan Pope your choice not to participate is the best option therefore ;)
Overall, I like Google+ a lot and the integration of all that Google offers me. On balance, I’m a happy active user.
Dean Whitbread you’ll love this: “YouTube’s new commenting system aims to push Google+, nothing more” http://www.ghacks.net/2013/09/25/youtubes-new-commenting-system-aims-push-google-nothing/
Actually the idea of bringing order to YouTube is not a bad one. But I think Reddit have exposed the myth that largely unmoderated, anonymous commenters are a bad thing.
I like Google + professionally. and functionally – I like that it’s SO clear about where your info is going (I have work to do on FB to get the same level of sensitivity). There’s not mass adoption yet, so the network’s not there to make it really valuable. But I wouldn’t jump off too quickly – I jumped off Twitter way too soon and missed its growth – for a long time I was stuck in the ‘it’s all about what you had for breakfast’ place because that had been my experience of it. Any network is about the people, not the platform, perhaps. Facebook does awful things with your data, but we’re all still here.
We’re all here despite the drawbacks because this is where the conversations are happening with people across the board.
The over-arching strategy for Google+ http://t.co/o6fDPTxfuy
MT @jangles: The over-arching strategy for Google+ http://t.co/9pCLETpnHT
The over-arching strategy for Google+: http://t.co/l9G9G6DFzw via @jangles
The over-arching strategy for Google+ http://t.co/lENhfckysp @jangles #socialmedia #networking
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The over-arching strategy for Google+: http://t.co/wG95EAW0al
I’m on Google + but I haven’t visited for a while. I clicked the link in this article and I was greeted by a ‘Find your friends’ panel. If they’re true to their word about not aspiring to be another Facebook, why not greet me with a ‘Find your information’ panel?!
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