Google+ now open for businesses
Search giant Google opened to businesses and brands the doors of its upcoming social network Google+ with two new features: “Pages” for businesses and organizations; and “Direct Connect”.
Google said that while Google+ connects with all kinds of people, there are also other things people connect with – such as sports reams, coffee shops and TV shows.
“So far Google+ has focused on connecting people with other people. But we want to make sure you can build relationships with all the things you care about—from local businesses to global brands—so today we’re rolling out Google+ Pages worldwide,” Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering, said in a blog post.
Gundotra said this means Google+ members can now hang out live with their favorite businesses.
On the other hand, he said businesses can benefit from having Google+’s doors opened to them.
“For businesses and brands, Google+ pages help you connect with the customers and fans who love you. Not only can they recommend you with a +1, or add you to a circle to listen long-term. They can actually spend time with your team, face-to-face-to-face. All you need to do is start sharing, and you’ll soon find the super fans and loyal customers that want to say hello,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gundotra said a second feature, “Direct Connect from Google Search,” allows Google+ members to add pages to their Google+ circles from Google Search.
He said users can go to Google and search for [+], followed by the page they are interested in (like +Angry Birds).
“We’ll take you to their Google+ page, and if you want, we’ll add them to your circles,” he said.
While Gundotra said Direct Connect works for a limited number of pages for now, “many more are coming.”
“With Google+, we strive to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software. Today’s initial launch of Google+ Pages brings us a little bit closer, but we’ve still got lots of improvements planned, and miles to go before we sleep. So stay tuned,” he said.
Twitter-killer?
Meanwhile, an article on tech site The Next Web said Google’s latest move may be meant to kill micro-blogging site Twitter, which gained widespread adoption among celebrities, TV outlets, journalists, and teenagers since it started in 2006.
It noted Google has visibility that neither Facebook nor Twitter has.
“The Google Apps offering is where Google+ really can destroy Twitter limb from limb. If someone complains about a brand on the platform, the brand can go directly to them and discuss the issue. The email will sit in a Google Apps account, which is a more official and professional way to interact with a customer. It’s easier to track, and can be fed into a CRM solution like Salesforce. Oh yeah, they have Google Voice too,” it said.
Also, it said Google has an Analytics product at its disposal that it can plug into Google+ at any time. In contrast, it said Twitter has been piloting an analytics package, but not much has been seen or heard about it as of late.
It added that with Google+ integrated into Gmail, it makes sharing information and getting updates simple.
“Will people get tired of visiting yet another site like Twitter or downloading yet another app? It’s too early to tell, but at the end of the day, everyone likes things to be easy,” it said. — TJD, GMA News