The numero uno search engine – Google continues to lead the global search industry. There is nobody who uses the World Wide Web without deploying Google at some point. Very handy in finding information from the endless maze that is the internet. Google continues to constantly launch several products to ensure its continued dominance of the market.
‘Google Plus is the future of the social media’, a tech savvy colleague of mine said at a social media strategy meeting several months ago. I flinched given the audacity with which he made the claim. As I write this, Google Plus stands comfortable on the first runners up medal platform in the social media network ranking. I have seen people become less active on Facebook and in some instances switch to twitter then unto something else. The reason is obvious. They are looking for something beyond what they presently have. They may not know exactly what it is but they can identify it when they see it.
Owned and powered by Google, G+ was launched mid 2011. Its 500 million registered users figure (as at last quarter of 2012) places it behind Facebook but ahead of Twitter and YouTube respectively. Google Plus is an evidence that consistent hardwork has the promise of paying. It is the fifth in the social media attempt of Google Incorporated. First was Orkut, which today is only used in Brazil and was launched in 2004, then came Google Friend Connect which only lasted for four years and Google Buzz which managed to hang on for a year before Google Plus was launched. Before the Buzz, there was also Google Wave which had very low tide and petered out. It was initially deployed the same was Gmail was deployed – invitation only. You needed an invitation from a user to get on the platform. Currently with about 15 features, Google Plus continues to seek new ways of social interaction. It is mobile based and can also be used on the internet.
The huge leap of Google Plus in so short a time is definitely a concern for number one social media giant – Facebook. Will Google Plus be a plus for Google in the future? Given the interconnectivity with other regularly used applications and its spread of risk, the answer may be a yes.
The Circle on Google Plus allows users put their contacts in different classes – the nerds, friends, acquaintances for instance. It comes with only three pre-labelled circles and others can be added. The circle is a reflection of our real life situation. It should show how one would relate with people in real life scenarios. One is not likely to discuss family issues with business contacts for instance. Unlike Facebook where everyone sees all you share. Google Plus Circle allows you to decide which of your groups should see what. This categorisation is the uniqueness of circles. The Spark lightens up the kind of information that is brought to a user. It brings the chosen interests on users to them automatically. It however has a snag. The streams from sparks may get too much and become irritating. Journalists would likely find this feature helpful in hounding for news. The Hangout is one of the reasons Google Plus is preferred by a lot of users. The ease of video chat it provides and the convenience of doing so with a number of people and also sharing documents while doing so makes it beautiful. Companies and groups can use this tool for conferences and it can also be recorded for others to see and use as they deem fit. A webcam and a microphone are though indispensable to enjoy this service. On Google Plus, it is also possibly to huddle. It means to chat with people on a group basis.
It’s like a sprawling empire. With a Gmail account, a user automatically enjoys the benefit of a Google Plus account. Surprisingly nonetheless, Google Plus appeals to more males than females. Maybe it’s in the design! The public posts on Google Plus are also indexed for search making it possible for anyone to find you or the things shared. And we know how people find things! Through Google of course! For anyone interested in ranking, Google Plus is it.
The truth be told though, Google Plus has a feel of complexity in its use and it would take a little while for familiarity with it for one to settle to its use. Its beautiful interface and the continuous changes should however solve this for late bloomers. Given the initial means of use which required invitation, Google Plus at the earlier stage looked like a social media for technology savvy people only. Google Plus on closer examination takes from Twitter and also from Facebook. As on Twitter, you can get mentioned and there is the hashtag feature and as on Facebook you can get to share and there is a stream as against a timeline and people can be tagged. It has profiles while Facebook has walls. In place of groups, Google Plus has communities. There are no friends on Google Plus, just followers and circles. And the friends are then integrated into this.
Google Plus takes social media writing to the next level as one can put words in italics, strikethrough a text and even make a text bold. On the latter for instance, putting an asterisk before and after a word makes the word bold. *Food* when written like that, would make the word emerge bold upon posting. Looks geeky, but then, that’s the Google that has a Plus to it!
Given how powerful Google is, Google Plus seems here to stay and its late heads start notwithstanding, it may truly be the number one social media in few years to come. Its thick social layer explains the growth. Even if Google Plus does not eventually thin the gap it currently has with Facebook, what is certain is that it would continue to be a social media power. Given its almost 30% share of global internet user as against Facebook’s a little more than 50% share. The virtual future of who would be number one is still bleak. But then, Facebook would also not rest on its oars and what users would continue to have would be value for time spent online since competition can only make both of the better.
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‘Sola Fagorusi
Sola Fagorusi is a youth development advocate, freelance writer, accomplished debater cum coach. The Obafemi Awolowo University graduate has about 10 years experience in social entrepreneurship which straddles leadership, good governance cum anti-corruption and adolescent reproductive health. The Leap Africa alumnus is also a trained peer educator, a DESPLAY alumnus and co-facilitator. For 2 years now, he has been a technical consultant and lead judge on the Intra-Faith Peace Youth TV Debate Project facilitated by Youngstars Foundation and the British High Commission. To read his full profile, click here
