On 28th June 2011 Google rolled out the beta version of its highly anticipated social networking site, Google Plus. It is no secret that Google has long been wanting to get a slice of the social networking market. So, what exactly is Google Plus and how does it compare to Facebook? In this post we are going to look at Google Plus Versus Facebook and examine some of their major differences.
Simply put, Google Plus has integrated many of the best features from our favorite social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, in one convenient package.
Photo by Mike Volpe - CMO Hubspot
Google Plus versus Facebook – A Brief Comparison
You’ve probably seen some of the cartoons poking fun at the rivalry between Facebook and Google+. While they’re all in good fun, there’s a grain of truth to them as well. By all accounts, Google is trying to oust Facebook as the King of Social Media – and if any company is up to the task, it’s Google. But is Google+ a contender? Let’s compare the two and see.
Once merely a hangout for college students, this powerhouse has become the goto network for family, friends, and even businesses and government entities. You can chat with your grandmother in Sydney, play a game of Bejeweled, post pictures of your wedding, and encourage people to sign up for your mailing list – all without leaving the site. Not only that, but Facebook has it’s own advertising network, making it easy and cost effective to get your business in front of your target audience.
Facebook also allows users to set up both private and public groups where you can dish about common interests and invite others to join the discussion. You also have the ability to set up “facebook pages” which are specifically designed for businesses and other entities.
Google+
1. Sharing Information
The new kid in the social media market has a lot to offer. Unlike Facebook, Google+ is not an all or nothing venue for sharing information. It allows you to pick and choose who can see your content, making it a bit like your Facebook wall with groups mixed in. Not only that, but Google+ gives you a lot more sharing space, whereas Facebook limits individual wall posts to 420 characters.
Although Facebook allows you similar sharing controls with lists, these are far from easy to find and use. Facebook is in the process of introducing easier controls over sharing of information, probably in response to Google+’s success with Circles, so it will be interesting to see how this all pans out, but for now, Google+ gets my vote on this one.
2. Hangouts
If you prefer to mingle face-to-face, Google+ has you covered with a nifty little tool called Hangouts. Using your web cam and mic, you can chat in real time with co-workers, friends around the world, or even total strangers. Whenever someone in one of your circles starts a Hangout, it will show up in your stream, so pull up a chair and join in.
3. Streams
‘Streams’ is probably the thing Google Plus does best. It offers you a way to filter the content you see. If it’s your day off and you don’t want to hear about work, click another stream. Feel like reading about a particular topic? Make a circle dedicated to it, then choose it from the “streams” list. You’ll hear only what you want, when you want. No more miss-mash of information sorted only by time of creation.
4. Google Rankings For Your Profile
And finally, probably the most exciting (and most speculated about) feature of Google Plus is the way your Google profile will quickly climb the search engine rankings. Use your keywords in your profile and get ranked in Google.
5. Personal Accounts Only….For Now
At this point in time, Google Plus is only available to private individuals, but business accounts are on the menu for the future, so watch this space.
Summary
In the battle of Google Plus versus Facebook, which one is the better choice? Well, it depends on your needs and how you choose to manage your social networking. One thing is certain though, Google Plus is a true contender in the highly competitive social media marketplace. If you’re not a member yet, you should make it a point to get on board, because Google Plus is going to play an important role in social marketing.
In my next post I will be walking you through how to get started with Google Plus and talking you through some of the Google Plus features in greater detail.
Are you already using Google Plus? If so, I would love to hear what you think of it so far and how it is stacking up against the established Social Networking sites. Please leave me a comment below…..and don’t forget to share and Google+ me 
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: suejprice
August 25, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Hey Louise
I love the cartoon! – it took me a bit to get serious again and read
Great post thanks and you cleared up a few things I have still had questions about with Google+
I joined of course but have not spent enough time there so thanks.
I think personally at the moment we need to be in both places.
I look forward to you next post.
Sue
Sue Price@residual income recently posted..What is Diversification? – Part 4
Hi Sue…glad you liked the cartoon…it appealed to me also! I agree that we need to be in both places at the moment and it will be interesting to watch how things develop at both Google+ and Facebook. A little competition is always healthy
Louise
Twitter: LorenGreig
August 26, 2011 at 3:00 am
Hi Louise,
Great post! I always enjoy your informative summaries and comparisons! Google+ seems to have taken the best of Facebook and Twitter… I especially love the many capabilities of Google+ sharing; the visibility of it’s platform throughout all Google properties; and, I’m certainly excited about the keyword/seo aspect for increased rankings in its search engine. Being involved with Google+ is an opportunity right now and it’s fun to watch and see what unfolds as it moves forward!
Loren recently posted..Anchor Text For SEO
Hi Loren
I agree, it’s always exciting to watch the new kids on the block pull the best features from existing platforms and make them better. As I said to Sue, a little competition for Facebook is a good thing and it will be interesting to watch the two platforms evolve and battle things out.
Louise
Love the cartoon! It is interesting to see how the Google versus Facebook duel will work out.
Andy Nathan recently posted..Social Networking Facts: And Only The Facts
Yes it will Andy…I wish I had a crystal ball
I like Google+ because it’s more targeted than the general sharing option Facebook has. I use both platforms and each has its own advantages… I think it’s just depends of preference.
Anne Reese recently posted..How to calculate your BMI
Thank you for your comment Anne and I have to agree that both platforms have their advantages. The one thing to bear in mind is that both continue to evolve and Google+ is of course still in its infancy. It will be interesting to see how things develop.
Louise
Twitter: tortugabackpack
September 1, 2011 at 4:37 am
As a marketer, I’m reserving my judgment until I see how effective Google+ is for my business. I don’t need another personal social network.
A lot of tech people have been seeing great engagement. I’m curious to see if that holds up for businesses and my niche (travel). The good thing is that the Google+ team knows this is an issue and is working hard on a business-specific product, so I’m optimistic.
I like the streams option the best. There are people who keep updating their profiles in every 2 minutes and I get fed up and bored of their status messages and updates. Facebook does not have this option. I do not want to block friends, but do not wish to get silly updates!
Hi Louise, great post! I joined Google+ since I was asked a few times but haven’t paid a lot of attention to it yet since the playing field for social media and networking is so full! But your explanation of the differences and what Google+ really offers is helpful. I especially like that you have more control over what you share and with whom, because I definitely have people that want to know about some things and not others and other friends that what to know about other things and not the things I’d share with the first group and vice versa. I also like that with Streams I can have a more relevant view of what I want to see – so when I’m feeling nerdy and just want info on comic books, I can get that, vs when I’m all markety and want info from my associates on that. Thanks for taking the time to explain it. I expect I’ll be spending a lot more time on there now. – Rob
Rob Wilson recently posted..Scolding as a customer service tool
I am currently on Facebook but Google+ seems so much better from what you have just written. Great post.
Hi Bob…I think Facebook will be doing all it can to keep up with Google, as we have seen from the latest changes announced just a few days ago. We will probably need a presence on both sites.
Louise
Honestly, I am a facebook user for the longest time. I love to use this social networking site to interact and communicate to my friends in the other places. Just a month ago, I have heard about this google+ and curious what’s the use of this site. But then after reading few blogs about this topic including this blog post of yours, I might give a try to use this site. Anyway, thanks for differentiating between this two.
Tony Tate recently posted..“EDU-CAUTION!”
I think Google Plus needs more privacy settings. Anybody could add me to their circles and I hate this! Facebook notifications are better in this case.
I think Google Plus needs more privacy settings. Anybody could add me to their circles and I hate this! Facebook notifications are better in this case.
Google Plus seems to be at a developing stage. I guess Facebook has begun with emails and this would stump Google for sure, because the advantage with Google+ is the notifications on gmail!
We have grown used to facebook. Google+ should have come when people would have got bored of facebook. I guess Google came up at the wrong time!
We are mostly addicted to Facebook. Google need to come up with new things to divert our attention. Till now it is almost similar to facebook. Lets see what comes next.
Hi Louise,
This is a great comparison between Google+ and Facebook. I can see that Google+ offers a lot more features than Facebook. The issue now is, are the private individuals and businesses ready to shift to another networking site and leave their established page? Also, are there enough target audience for Google+ at this moment to build relationship with? But we can’t tell in the future right?
Simply loved the cartoon…. Really funny but a fact .. People have gone crazy behind facebook and now google plus is on way to rule people’s mind… Lets see how much competition google plus will give facebook….
Soon its gonna be a big fight between facebook and google plus…. people are diverting but still sticking on facebook as it has become a daily or say all time necessity for each and every person involved in social networking…. but we all know how facebook ruled on orkut soon google plus will rule on facebook….
The day when Google+ was launched in the market everybody thought that this site is somewhat like face book and Google has launched it just to beat the traffic over face book. But now after reading this blog I understand that Google+ has got much more valuable information and data to provide to us than face book. I think that soon there will be a lot of traffic over Google+ as well.
{ 2 trackbacks }