Thread: Google+ vs. Facebook

I've recieved an invite and spent a little time messing around on it, it's very different from facebook in some aspects and has some interesting features which set it apart from other social networking sites.

I don't think it will be the end of Facebook though, there are a lot of people out there of many different age groups who use facebook, and I think a lot of people are going to stick with facebook due to it's familiarity, as Google+ works in a different way and takes a bit of getting used to.

Hard to predict what is going to happen, Google+ works in an innovative way, I just think that it's came around too late and Facebook is already too big for Google+ to become as popular, at least not in the short term anyway.

It feels similar to FB, that's for sure. I like the drag and drop into circles (groups), and some of their other concepts. Just another SEO medium for me.

Originally Posted by Talisman

It feels similar to FB, that's for sure. I like the drag and drop into circles (groups), and some of their other concepts. Just another SEO medium for me.

Yeah I'm also wondering about the SEO opportunities it will offer. My guess is that it will do OK as a social network but it's kind of like Bing against Google, they're too late to the party to overtake Facebook.

Originally Posted by domular

they're too late to the party to overtake Facebook.

You're never too late. Think Netflix to Blockbuster .... Apple to Microsoft ... Facebook to Myspace ...

As soon as you think you are firmly entrenched is when you are in trouble.

I agree, never say never. I think for Google plus to knock out Facebook at this point will require the 15 years of consistent effort that it took Apple to make a dent in Microsoft.

The only real advantage I can see in "plus" is the ability to segment your updates to your different groups. Guessing that it would take Facebook about a day and half to implement something similar, unless somehow Google can patent that technology, which I doubt since Facebook already has groups/lists.

My prediction is that for a long time "plus" will be just an SEO / Marketers echo chamber.

It was one thing for Apple to out-innovate a stale old company like Microsoft, but for Google to dramatically out innovate a Facebook, which is anything but stale, it's like two F1 cars racing from East coast to West coast and the Facebook car is already in Las Vegas.

From a purely user standpoint, the ability to differentiate my circles is HUGE. MY biggest beef with FB is having my "buddies" be on the same privacy sphere as "family." I originally hopped on FB as a way to stay in touch with my buddies, not with the family. Now I know I can set privacy features for each user... but Circles is taking it to a whole new level of awesome.

Maybe this will spur Facebook to improve this feature, which will keep me a loyal user.

I am starting to see more and more status updates saying "add me on google +". It will be interesting to see what will be happening in the next couple of months. One word is clear in my head. "Opportunity"