Image via WikipediaHow exactly will Google+ fair in an open market for social networking, let alone in one dominated by the uber behemoth facebook?
Although Google have had a bit of knowledge garnered from its earlier social networking incarnation, Google Buzz, there is still a lot going against it.
Familiarity
Let's face it, people are accustomed to being, well, accustomed. It's hard to break people away from rituals and habits they've become used too. Unless if you are a current daily user of Google and it's offerings, which includes its menu/navigation system, expecting the average user, who expects just the social experience and nothing else, to learn a new system, is a bit too much. Unless Facebook were to inadvertently orchestrate an incorrigible faux paus, Google+ will be facing a long, hard, uphill struggle against wooing users over.
Target audience & History
In following with familiarity, Facebook started off as a focused network catering to college students in one institute then to other institutes and which was finally opened to the general public. People who already knew each other were simply allowed a place to connect and collaborate. These connections are always expanding, but the bulk of connections were created early on. As with any migration from one system to another, very few people would be happy with the downtime associated with not being able to just communicate with their peers, family and so on. Unless if Google+ has a full on import like what Wordpress offers to blog users wanting to completely switch their blog from another blogging site, lock, stock and barrel, this is another hindrance for Google+.
Like begets like?
Although in the feel, somewhat, and layout, Google+ closely mirrors Facebook, unless and until Google+ offers something groundbreaking in terms of user experience, networking tools etc. there will be little pull to motivate people to move to it. Just having similar appearances would hardly draw people to another brand unless if there's substantial value to be gained which would at the least offset the hassle of moving or more than make up for it. Sure the privacy concerns are vital to most users, but at this early stage it's hard to say how effective the Google+ circles are, if indeed they do not prove to be an encumbrance to the overall social experience.
Monoply much?
This is a doozy; most people don't realise this, but based on what they search and view based on the results, Google further ascertains what search results are pertinent to you. What this means is that based on your browsing habits, Google screens what it thinks is important to you. It might be a good thing, but, more than equally, it might not be. I wouldn't like results screened or otherwise influenced, nor do I want most of my browsing routines crystallized into some user profile.With Google+ this means your social network, search engine, email, and any other Google service you're signed up for, are connected with just one user id. Integration into the Google machine itself doesn't warrant any alarm bells but I for one would like some segregation of my online activities. Whether it be for a bit of comparative anonymity or feeling like all your eggs aren't in one basket in case of hacker attacks on the company or just natural downtime.
There can only be one, can there?
Facebook has had it ups and downs, taken its lumps, faced its competition and come out on top all but obliterating the rest. It has had tenure. Google has a lot to offer and is an internet powerhouse to boot. Of course no matter how ardent the support or criticism, only time and trial is telling. It will be interesting to see how Google+ fares against Facebook, if it manages to get out of the pre and postnatal phase that all contenders inexorably have to course through.
Image via WikipediaOne of my all time favorite Disney releases was on the big screen. The Lion King was on those movies that became a classic even when it had just come out. From the theme to the soundtrack it was instant love.
