There’s talk among many social network users about Google+ taking over the social networking world from the current king- Facebook. Some users may find that they’re happier using the new site, while others prefer to stick with a more familiar social networking experience. While it’s still too early to tell how it will all play out, we have some good indicators and solid information about the performance of both networks so far.
Google+ specifically lists in the terms of service that all users must register using their real name, making fake or non-human profiles totally absent from the service. This means that authors are not allowed to register using pen names, that teenagers are not allowed to register using nicknames, and that the average user cannot register using a made-up or fictional name to protect their privacy.
However, it also means that every user on the social networking site knows exactly who they’re interacting with at all times. Users attempting to register an account with a celebrity name, a politician’s name, or another well-known name must subject themselves to a verification process. Overall, this requirement adds credibility to the Google+ service and fosters a stable environment with minimal “trolling”.
Unlike Facebook, Google+ also has very few applications and games. This, by default, makes the social network more professional and more business oriented. Those looking to network, make business connections, promote their body of work, or build a business following may have better luck on Google+ than on Facebook. Whether this lack of applications and games is a symptom of infancy or a reflection of the target demographic is yet to be seen.
Google+ also features group video chats known as “hangouts”. This feature allows multiple users with webcams to connect with each other seamlessly and talk to each other with steaming video. You can schedule a chat with several friends at the same time and sit around and speak with them as if you’re in the same place. These hangouts can be used for business conferences, visiting with family, or simply hanging out with friends. This feature has yet to have any competition from Facebook, but a feature like this may be in the works.
Another advantage of Google+ is that it allows you to keep groups of friends private from one another. Facebook currently allows your friends to see a list of your other friends. This means that if someone friends you, they can then go down through your friends list and see who you’ve added. They may then send them a friend request, message them, or interact with them in other ways. If you prefer to keep your online interactions private, Google+ may be a better option for you. You can add online friends to social circles, without them being able to see one another, and without them being able to see what circle they been added to. This circle system in Google+ allows users to separate friends into categories that help organize the entire experience.
Google+ also allows you to see what strangers are saying about a topic that you’re interested in. Whether you’re following them as a friend or not, you can search interesting topics then read the conversation about that topic. You can chime in if you wish to, or simply read the news stream. You can also request to follow the people who were discussing the topic. They then have the option to choose to follow you back, or not. This allows you to share your information, and gives them the option to share theirs with you if they want to.
In short, Google+ is not necessarily taking over Facebook, however it is providing some serious competition. Business users are finding it especially well-suited to their needs, and even casual users are finding that it has some extremely useful features. The social network was only recently launched, so we’ll have to sit back, enjoy the ride, and wait to see just what happens next.
image: google.com
