If you’re anywhere close to the tech industry, you’re aware of the newest “social networking platform” that is Google+. 
Some believe Google+ has the potential to hurt Facebook and some disagree, saying there will still be a place for Facebook and Twitter. Either way, with growth numbers like 20 million users within the first three weeks of launch it’s something to pay attention to.
But while individuals seem to have been able to figure out how to use the service, one feature obviously missing is how businesses can effectively leverage the platform. It seems the big question is what will Google produce to compete with Facebook Pages?
According to PCWorld, Google says it’s working on developing Google+ Business Profiles to address this issue. In the meantime however, “Google has asked businesses to refrain from jumping on the Google+ bandwagon just yet.” Now the question is how long will businesses have to wait for these Business Profiles…
At Viralheat, our job is to track and analyze conversations relevant to YOU and help you better understand your audience and customers. Facebook Pages have given us a way to monitor conversations relating to brands so naturally we’re anxious to see what Google+ Business Profiles have in store.
Assuming Google does develop a similar feature to “Pages,” here are a few ways we think your brand can make the most of it at first glance:
- Identify your influencers and create relevant circles for them — exclusive content, calls for feedback, etc., anyone?
- Treat it like the hybrid of Facebook and Twitter that it is — you don’t have a character limit for updates (but don’t abuse that), post often but not too often (no one likes a polluter) and share relevant content to engage your community (pictures, videos, links)…
We’re currently compiling feedback and will share more thoughts soon!
Do you think Google+ and Facebook can and/or will co-exist?
How has Google managed to filter out “junk results” in their search engine ? Pretty well in my opinion. Facebook is however in my opinion, very polluted today and it is off-putting for me.
I believe in the future people will have both and I also believe that Google+ has the power to “myspace facebook” so that Facebook becomes todays MySpace. Will MySpace and Facebook ever not exist, time will tell but Google+ has achieved 20mil users, several factors quicker than both Twitter and Facebook.
I do not know the secret behind the usages for business however, but as long as the general consensus of Google+ is “clean” and free of “spam” (like all the app/game notifications on FB) I think it will continue to grow and become more attractive. Google will probably figure it out but today what is missing is intuitiveness and a clear stance on what G+ really is?
Thanks Tomas! I definitely agree that what’s missing is WHAT G+’s place is, in the space. If it’s going to be successful, I think that needs to be clarified soon.
I would also like to see how well they can filter out “junk” once there are more people using G+ as regularly as they use Facebook…
Hi admin, I’m also interested in this. (Take a look at the latest post on my site for details.) This was a really interesting read, you have definitely given me some food for thought!
My blog is Anxiety disorder.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.