Prediction. Google+ WILL be bigger than Facebook

Posted by Hayden Allen-Vercoe on July 04 2011
Filed in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media Analytics, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Marketing Events, Social Media Research, Social Networking

Google+, the new social network from Google is on its way. The question here may be what is the point of Google+? Surely we have enough social networks already?

Maybe it’s worth thinking back to Google’s failed social projects to date – Google Wave and Google Buzz – so why are Google bothering? Do they not know when they have been beat?

Facebook is a monster, a big monster. 600 million users worldwide and growing, the most popular of all social networks. My first impressions were Google should concentrate on maintaining their daily one billion search requests and I don’t think I’d be alone here…

Or maybe not.

A friend of mine recently bought up the fact that Sony had the monopoly on portable music devices just 11 years ago. Who’s shifting more these days – Sony or Apple?

Do not be too quick to dismiss Google+, this is Google coming out with all guns blazing…This is all out ‘social war’.

Early screenshots show a remarkable resemblance to Facebook. I’m sure this is deliberate. This is Google’s Facebook. With benefits.

The same as Apple’s iPod, this new social network promises some really nifty user friendly features.

Google+ offers everything that Facebook currently delivers, but it’s the little extras that will see if this really will compete.

The first feature of interest on Google+ has to be ‘Circles’. You can share conversations with different groups within your Google+ network. As Google say “The easiest way to share some things with college buddies, others with your parents and almost nothing with your boss”….I ‘Likey’.

‘Hangouts’ also brings more to the party, literally. “Let friends know that you’re free for a video hangout, any time, anywhere. Then catch up, watch YouTube or… just hangout”, Google+ cornering the teen market in one swoop. This could be the most important social feature for users tempted to switch.

‘Sparks’ brings out the best of Google search –

“A feed of only the things that you’re really into, so when you’re free, there’s always something waiting to be watched, read or shared”

. Stumble Upon should be worried too.

So we are looking at a fresh take on social networking, from a company that has failed in the past. Google’s huge online presence and it’s abilities to learn from its mistakes makes Google+ one to watch. Very closely.

Start watching those impressive Facebook stats dropping. Not everyone is happy with Facebook, the ever changing interface, not to mention privacy issues. Google+ promises a tighter security than its Nemesis.

Is Facebook concerned? You bet! Makes you wonder if this was the real reason behind their anti-Google campaign, conducted by PR company Burson-Marsteller, which Facebook paid for.
Currently Google+ has been made available to a select number for testing, I guess it doesn’t want a repeat of the mass rollout issues it had with Google Buzz.

Clearly, Google sees this as their big chance to take on Facebook and they want to get it perfect. When will Google+ be available to everyone? All Google are saying is “it won’t be long before the Google+ project is ready for everyone”.

In the meantime, you can register with Google+ here. https://plus.google.com

So back to my prediction, that essentially Google+ will have more than 600 million users. It’s a huge statement, but I believe Google have finally managed to create something to compete and conquer Facebook.

RIP Facebook? What’s your take?

Jones Lang LaSalle Preferred Social Media Supplier status achieved

Posted by Hayden Allen-Vercoe on October 20 2010
Filed in Blog Consultancy, Blog Network News, Online Marketing Tips and Advice, Online PR, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media Marketing, Social Media Marketing Events, Social Media Training, Social Networking

Every now and then we like to blow our own trumpet and this is one of those rare occasions. We recently entered a pitch to win a place on the prestigious Jones Lang LaSalle Shopping Centre and Retail park social media supplier list.

Not only did we achieve this status after a four way pitch, but we’ve also been given the chance host the Social Media Marketing workshop attended by the shopping centre big wigs.

Possibly a little daunting to many, we’re absolutely relishing the opportunity to share some of the many secrets we’ve learnt over the past 5 years working with some of the biggest brands in the world.
After the event we’ll be sharing our presentation right here so keep a close eye!