If you’re read anything about Google+, the company’s latest foray into the social realm, then you’ve probably heard about Circles. Here’s my early take, which I shared via a LinkedIn answer on the topic the other day:
From my initial view of Google+, Circles are what Facebook needs but doesn’t have: a way to share based on real life versus the digital world.
You can create as many circles as you want–and share information across Google+ in multiple ways (public, or with one or more circles). As a result, this is the first platform that starts out with the premise that all people aren’t equal. So, for example, you might want to share an article that’s about politics with your family, a not-suitable-for-work cartoon with friends, and a great article about finance with your colleagues. I have, for example, set up a couple of broad categories around business/small business and communications/marketing. I can see people setting up circles around friends, colleagues, intramural sports teammates, book club members, etc., over time.
As someone who thinks that the private realm doesn’t belong online, I’m unlikely to share ANYTHING that I’m not comfortable with everyone seeing. But I think Google has been thinking about how people share. If they have any ambition of being “the next Facebook” (note: I’m not sure Facebook is going anywhere soon), being able to easily create “share” categories is a good first step.
Personally, I think Circles is just one of the interesting elements of what Google is doing with Google+.
Have you set up Circles yet? What do you think?
I actually have 6 business reasons I think you should watch Google+.
Sign up for my latest newsletter (sign up form in sidebar–or click through here if you’re reading this in RSS) to read my 6 reasons to watch Google+. As a bonus, I have five beta invitations to Google+ to give away to the first five people who sign up for the newsletter and then e-mail me your Gmail address and tell me why you want to test out Google+. (You have to have a Gmail account to use Google+.)
Photo by J Ronald Lee (Flickr).
Have you grabbed a free copy of Your Social Media Checklist? Download it today to get 9 tips for being findable and attracting the right customers for your business.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Google>Facebook.
I never looked into social networks (i think FB is just stupid) but with Google+ i am genuinely interested.
I like the idea if clean , healthy place to meet other people with similar interests. (but without all the childish stuff)
Luke recently posted..Good online schools
Hi Luke,
I think the value of any network (online or off) depends on both who’s in it and the effort you put into it.
To your point, Google+ Circles seems to give the user a way to filter in (as well as share with) the people you want and to ignore anyone you’re really not interested in. That said, I figure if you set your “circle” too narrow you miss the opportunity to discovery interesting people and things. Part of why I like the idea of being able to share with (and filter for) 1 circle, multiple circles, or everyone.
It will certainly be interesting to watch how Google+ evolves.
I don’t think google + circles will be a success for the reason that it can get really hard to divide your friends and other people that are part of your life in different groups. I mean if i just met someone so i should add it in a special circle and share only limited information to him. That would suck. Dividing is not at all cool i guess..
karan recently posted..Navigate In Firefox Using Mouse Gestures!!!
Hi Karan,
Thanks for weighing in on this. It’s interesting that you think that the grouping feature will be a barrier to entry. I see it as an asset, because you always have the option to group everyone into a single grand circle. Plus, people don’t know what circle (or circles) you’ve created and put them in–just that they are in a circle.
I actually like that I can create separate circles for friends (who might also turn up in a second, business focused-circle), business associates, and so forth.
While Google+ is off to a fast start thanks to Google’s user base, it’s still an open question whether it catches real fire or not.