I was lucky enough to get into the first round of Google+ invites. I’d been burned in the past by Google’s attempts at social (wave, RIP.), but being the Googlephile I am, i expected that this time they would get it right. All the signs were there – i had read interviews and articles explaining that there was something special in the works, that Larry Page was shifting their entire focus towards social, and i’d seen the slides of the early “Circles” concept. I was sure they were going to get it right this time.
I was right.
It’s been a while since i’ve seen such unanimous approval of a Google product, Chrome to be exact – that Google+ is a social product is an especially rare achievement given how protective we are of our social experience. The only critisicms i’ve read have been not against G+ but rather to social in general… “Do we need more social?” I’ll let the market decide that one – but if i had anything to say on it. I’d say, “maybe”. I’d say – “maybe not more… but better, more open, less spammy, less janky, less farmville and more actually… social.”
That’s what Google+ holds over Facebook – and expands on Twitter with. Communication, sharing, expanding your network, exploring new connections. I’ll let you read all the in-depth tech analysis’s for the full explanation of asynchronous friending / following – but in layman’s terms – this ain’t your father’s social anymore, and i’m curious how to he masses will adjust to to an even more abstract concept of the social web.
That Google have created an incredibly clean, friendly and intuitive interface will bring it far, but users will also need to step up to the plate as well. I’m not worried it’ll happen, slowly perhaps, but as Facebook buckles under it’s own weight, and users get sick of sharing everything w/ everyone (Hi mom…) and constantly hiding app spam, people will start embracing circles, smart filtering, and following.. gone is the “wall” and “friend request” here to stay is the Circle.
TL;DR – The Queen is dead, long live the sexier Queen.
