Most comparisons out there for Google Plus (G+) surround its comparisons to Facebook and how it is going to be a Facebook killer. Of course I have found myself spending more time with G+ but more so because its new and fancy and there is a lot of learning and connecting to do as an early adopter kind of a guy. I don’t think we can have 3 players in the game, its too much. But just one isn’t enough either. That said, here is why I think G+ will kill Twitter, and G+ and Facebook will coexist as sister social networks.
Facebook vs G+
The more I’ve been thinking about features, users, functions, and aims the more I am convinced that G+ is a Twitter killer, not a Facebook killer. For me, Facebook is more of an extension of real life. I only friend people I know, have met, or have interacted with online enough to genuinely say, “oh yeah I know that guy”. There is very little “following” of big names and super stars (aside from brands and celebrities with the use of Pages). I don’t think G+ is going to move a lot of the non-savvy group that has used Facebook for a while. Their families are there, their friends are there, and they are comfortable with it. And let’s be honest, despite Google’s huge brand recognition and global appeal, Facebook just has some flavor and character to it. Heck, there’s a movie about it.
Twitter vs G+
Now I love Twitter, I do. I’ve built Twitter tools galore (TweetBeep.com and others that have since been retired), and have used it for my go to drop off point of information, news, and status updates. The appeal for Twitter was its all about people I don’t know following me, and then following lots of people that I don’t necessarily know but that give lots of good info or are fun to listen to. This also ends up making Twitter a bit noisy and spammy. Enter G+ … now I get an open (non-2-way-friend-thing) community where people can freely follow me, and I them. I now get G+ Circles that reduces the noise, and even lets me aim before I fire out what I have to say. The spam part is still to be determined, but it’s one thing Google knows best it is spam.
I agree that three seems a little much. I haven’t received a coveted invite to G+ yet so I’m not qualified to comment on the features yet, but I appreciate what you have said.
If G+ ends up being a better Twitter in many ways I’m all for it. Now I just need to get that invite.
Josh
Totally agree! That was my first thought as well when I first started adding people to circles. It’s like twitter lists…but so much better.
You hit the nail on the head when saying facebook is more “personal” in that you friend people you actually have some sort of relationship with.
I’ll definitely use twitter less once more people are allowed to jump into Google+.
Cause right now, it’s Google- ….minus a BUNCH of people. ha
Can you clarify – are you planning to scrap tweetbeep.com? Your sentence on this blog suggests that you might. Just wondering.
Thanks!
Anthony Magnabosco
I completely agree! I find myself posting tweet like updates on my G+ account and using Facebook more as my personal niche between my friends and family.
What I want to know is when is Google going to take G+ to the next level. The wizards there obviously want to take over the social media world (who doesn’t?), so when are they going to update and change G+ to more of a Facebook friendly format?