Google Plus: My Early Thoughts

by David Shaw on 30th Jun 2011 · 147 comments

You may have seen the hype over the past 24 hours about the launch of Google’s venture into the social networking arena with their Google+ Project.

I gained access to it earlier today and have played around on it for a few hours now and I thought I would share my early views on it.

What Is Google Plus?

It seems to me that Google have gone for an approach that is a mix between Facebook and Twitter. It is a social network that allows you to connect with friends and share content.

What I Like:

There are a few features that I am really loving at the moment.

Circles - Circles is the name that Google appears to gives its friends feature. Rather than having a bulk of ‘Friends’ you have a collection of Circles. These can be split into areas such as Family, Friends and Work Colleagues and are a way of grouping your contacts. The joy in this feature is that when you post updates on Google+ you can direct them at only the relevant people. This means that you have better control about who sees your updates.
Hangout - This could very much be a Skype killer! This feature allows you to ‘hangout’ with people via webcam. It is a difficult feature to put into words but it is essentially a webcam chat room where you can connect with people chat and share content/videos. I think this will be a useful tool for bloggers who want to interact with their followers. They can simply set themselves to ‘hanging out’ and their followers can link up for a chat.
Huddle - This is like a group msn chat that makes it easier to have a conversation as a group as everyone can see the updates and will know exactly what is going on.

These are just a couple of the features that I have had a play with so far.

One obvious feature that is currently missing for me is a ‘Facebook Page’ alternative. If Google can add that then I think it will have a good shout of pulling me away from Facebook and performing most of my activities via Google+.

Conclusion

I think it is a very bright start by Google and it has the makings of a brilliant service. Is is better than Facebook? At the moment I would have to say potentially! I think it all depends on whether Google+ can attract the less tech savvy people. At the moment is very much being taken up by bloggers, internet marketers and businesses, if it can reach out to the average Joes who are more interested in sharing photos and videos then it has a fantastic chance of taking off.

Subscribe to my newsletter

Receive all the latest Blogging, SEO and Social Media news directly to your inbox.

Tagged as: Facebook, Google, Google Buzz, google plus, Skype, Social network, Social network service, twitter

Get all my latest Blogging, SEO and Social Media tips delivered directly to you! Subscribe to David Shaw Blog via RSS, via e-mail or Follow Me On Twitter.

Article by David Shaw

David has written 102 awesome articles.

If you like This post, you can follow David Shaw on Twitter.

Subscribe to feed via RSS or EMAIL to receive instant updates.

{ 147 comments }

Graham Lutz June 30, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Sounds awesome – You have an invite you can send me?

Graham Lutz July 1, 2011 at 2:01 am: I haven’t seen an invite yet! What’s up dave?

Missy Twitter: SuperBlogga June 30, 2011 at 8:32 pm

I would like an invite as well. Can one join multiple circles or just one?

Missy

Ian Fry June 30, 2011 at 11:05 pm

Hi, Can I have an invite please?

AJ June 30, 2011 at 11:07 pm

I would like an invite, if your handing them out!

Josa June 30, 2011 at 11:08 pm

I would like an invite, too.

Dmitry June 30, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Can I also get an invite please??

Eppie Vojt June 30, 2011 at 11:09 pm

If you’re still inviting folks, I’d appreciate the hookup. Thanks, man!

Benny June 30, 2011 at 11:11 pm

I’d like one if you have any left David!

Raphael June 30, 2011 at 11:32 pm

Google+ seems great, someone can send me a invite?

raphachicoli@gmail.com

Jack June 30, 2011 at 11:38 pm

I would very much appreciate an invite to Google +, thank you in advance

Chris June 30, 2011 at 11:44 pm

Bring on the Plus please!

Scott July 1, 2011 at 12:02 am

Hey, can i get an invite please?

Vanya July 1, 2011 at 12:02 am

vanqaaa@gmail.com Thanks so much!))

mike July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

ninjachubbs@gmail.com thanks

Travis July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

Heya,

If you have an invite left I would love one thanks.

travche@gmail.com

Sean July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

could you send me an invite please

mycroftholmes July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

I’d like and invite to Google+ please. Thank you in advance.

Foad July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

i would love an invite

foaddarwich @ gmail.com

Thanks!

Jeremey July 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

I would love to try it. Been waiting awhile for this.

Michael July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

You think it will actually over take facebook? I’m not sure. michael.c.hadley@gmail.com (if you have any invites left)

Sidh July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

if you can spare it, please send me an invite..thanks.

Yuri July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

yuri.warczynski@gmail.com Thanks )))

Thomas July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

I’d love an invite…

Denis July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

denisbraguini@gmail.com

Thank you
@denisbevacqua

Mike July 1, 2011 at 12:04 am

I’ve been dying to try this as well. Still got an invite left?

Thanks man

Kevin July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

Would like an invite if you have any to spare, thanks!

Araceli July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

chelifly <—- this is a gmail address please send an invite

Kulisz July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

Can you invite me?
kuliszfcb@gmail.com

MG July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

Could you invite me to G+ please? Thanks!

miklos.gaborATgmailDOTcom

lilith July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

Hi there, I’d be happy to hop in google+’s beta

Werner Jakobsmeier July 1, 2011 at 12:05 am

Hey,

wondering if you could invite me to Google+, would be much appreciated:

wjakobsmeier@gmail.com

Thanks in advance.

Kerensa Morrison July 1, 2011 at 12:06 am

I would love an invite!

kerensa.morrison@gmail

Behram Shah Bashir July 1, 2011 at 12:06 am

Seem as good as facebook. Key word “seems”. As I have not tried it out yet.
An invite would be nice:)
Thanks!

Julie July 1, 2011 at 12:06 am

Great article on Google+. I use Skype a lot so the Hangout might just work out for me!

What most are saying is Google is trying to ‘dethrone’ Facebook with their new social site.

Can you please send me an invite???

Thanks
sMiles

Sydney Hunte July 1, 2011 at 12:06 am

I’d like an invite as well!
sydwhunte@gmail.com

Syd (@EduNut) July 1, 2011 at 12:07 am

Invite please? )

Syd (@EduNut) July 1, 2011 at 12:08 am: theedunut@gmail.com

Adrian Hodge July 1, 2011 at 12:07 am

Would love an invite

Ammar July 1, 2011 at 12:08 am

Plz send me invitation to Google+

Julius Solis July 1, 2011 at 12:08 am

I would love to have an invite! Thanks, man!

st3v July 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

Any more invites left? Thanks!

Gera July 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

I’d love an invite also! geraldoquintas at gmail

Thanks!

Luc July 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

Thanks for the info in the post! I’m anxious to see how this all plays out. Do you have any more invites? I’d love one, thanks!

david mcgovern July 1, 2011 at 12:11 am

any more invites?

Emily July 1, 2011 at 12:11 am

I would love an invite if you have an extra one!

jones July 1, 2011 at 12:11 am

really would want to test it out, could you please send me an invite. Thanks

Nazarena Dos Santos July 1, 2011 at 12:12 am

it’s an interesting project. i liked your review, would you send me an invitation?

david mcgovern July 1, 2011 at 12:14 am

thanks for being so generous!

Kimberli Baker July 1, 2011 at 12:15 am

Very curious to see what the fuss is about… Google handle is kimberli.a.baker

Thank you!

Stephan July 1, 2011 at 12:15 am

Love to get invited. Very curious.

Eric Twitter: mrshift4 July 1, 2011 at 12:16 am

Sounds legit.

Anymore invites?

Tom July 1, 2011 at 12:17 am

Hey could you please send me a google + invite? tomcarnegie3@gmail.com

It would be much appreciated!

Mike July 1, 2011 at 12:17 am

Would love an invite, thanks man. mbmsports@gmail.com

DUMA CORNEL LUCIAN Twitter: web20education July 1, 2011 at 12:20 am

Please send me a invitation pr.lucian@gmail.com . With consideration Lucian

Luke July 1, 2011 at 12:21 am

turna.saurus@gmail.com

Thanks in advanced bud!

Kevin Douglas July 1, 2011 at 12:21 am

Sign me up, good buddy! uncannykev at gmail dot com

Andrew July 1, 2011 at 12:21 am

Would love an invite. Thanks so much.

TheUglyKoala July 1, 2011 at 12:22 am

Took years before I got a Facebook account and now here I am chasing after a Google+ invite.

What has happened to me:)

Your site looks interesting David, thanks to Benny Hsu for pointing it out to me.

theuglykoala@gmail.com

Tom July 1, 2011 at 12:26 am

Thanks so much

MattyVanIsle July 1, 2011 at 12:27 am

It’s good to hear people’s thoughts on what I think will finally be a successful social media alternative for Google.

Good thinking adding a Follow us on Google+ button.

I’d appreciate an invite if possible… mattyvanisle@gmail.com

Thanks!

MattyVanIsle July 1, 2011 at 12:59 am: Thanks for the invite, David!

Still getting the Keep me Posted page, but I’ll keep trying.

Guillermo Hernan July 1, 2011 at 12:28 am

Interesting. Would you send me an invite? Thanks.

Fredrik Larsen July 1, 2011 at 12:30 am

Invite would be so nice!

scott July 1, 2011 at 12:34 am

Awesome! Will you please send me an invite?

Bob July 1, 2011 at 12:38 am

Invite niceness! Thx!

Josh J July 1, 2011 at 12:43 am

Really looking forward to google+ I would be very appreciative of an invite if you have anymore left. Thanks!

Jeremey July 1, 2011 at 12:50 am

Thanks for the invite. It wouldn’t let me connect though. Anyone else having the same issue?

Trey Rohm July 1, 2011 at 12:50 am

Will you please send me an invite?

Dan July 1, 2011 at 12:59 am

please send me an invite. I will reciprocate and share to as many as possible.
thanks. irieplanet@gmail.com

David Shaw Twitter: davidshawblog July 1, 2011 at 1:01 am

Hope everyone is getting on OK with their invites!!

seth July 1, 2011 at 1:01 am

An invite would be amazing!
sethbru.a@gmail.com

Peter July 1, 2011 at 1:09 am

Very keen for an invite
ohalloran.peter@gmail.com

Nala July 1, 2011 at 1:09 am

Great blog! Please send me an invite. bulldognala@gmail.com Thanks!

Pete July 1, 2011 at 1:10 am

I would be grateful if you had an extra invite.

Hdob July 1, 2011 at 1:10 am

Would love an invite

james July 1, 2011 at 1:10 am

Hi, can I have an invite please – jamesboyd508@gmail.com

Noah Twitter: nswint July 1, 2011 at 1:10 am

Me want nswint at gmail.com

Stephen July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

Would love an invite please.

Also nice post, just finished reading it and want to try it even more now

Matt SMith July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

WOuld love an invite to Google +!!! Thanks

Eddie Everhart July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

Please hook me up

moroii@gmail.com

edison July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

please send me an invite chanduiscool2003 at gmail dot com

Thanks a lot!!!

AL July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

Would love an invite. Thanks a million+

Sam July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

xRobinson777x@gmail.com

Nelson July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

Could you please send me a invitation. BTW Great Blog!
nelsonmaguna@gmail.com

Michael July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

Invite please? Thanks! michael.a9556@gmail.com

Sokolska July 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

The hole idea is very interesting, especially the “circles”. Could you send me an invite please?

Paul July 1, 2011 at 1:12 am

If you still have invites going, I’d be very grateful if I could have one.

ku July 1, 2011 at 1:13 am

i liked the concept too and e one can u plz send me one on want to try so if u hav
ku135sa@gmail.com
thanks.

Darren July 1, 2011 at 1:13 am

Sounds good, do you have anymore invites?

brad July 1, 2011 at 1:13 am

I would ery much like an invite if you could be so kind.

Lindsay Twitter: theboomerangkid July 1, 2011 at 1:14 am

I may be a little late here, but if there are still invites I would love one! thanks!!

Carlos July 1, 2011 at 1:14 am

Hi! that’s sound great can you send me an invitation please?

Zare July 1, 2011 at 1:15 am

Will you please send me an invite?

cece July 1, 2011 at 1:15 am

If you’ve still got Google+ invites, may I please have one?

Faraz July 1, 2011 at 1:16 am

Yes please, you can invite me via the listed address or ra4east@gmail.com

Thanks very much—really appreciated!

a553 July 1, 2011 at 1:16 am

If there are still invites, please send me one! a553r7fa1l3d@gmail.com Thanks!

Marcos July 1, 2011 at 1:17 am

Cool!! Any invites left?

Tomaz July 1, 2011 at 1:17 am

One for me pretty please thanks
tomaz.menic@gmail.com

vijay July 1, 2011 at 1:17 am

hi,

pls invite me for google plus.

my mail address is kvijay48@gmail.com

Roberto July 1, 2011 at 1:18 am

Please, invite me to Google +… thanks!!

email: rojo2k5@gmail.com

Garth July 1, 2011 at 1:19 am

Do you have anymore invites?

glowell24@gmail.com

Sulat July 1, 2011 at 1:19 am

Could you get one for me? Thanks a lot.

mo July 1, 2011 at 1:21 am

Do you have any more invites left thank you

AK July 1, 2011 at 1:23 am

Would be great if you can kindly provide me an invite. Thanks!

David July 1, 2011 at 1:25 am

Could I get an invite plz bud … Thx!

David July 1, 2011 at 1:25 am

Whoops forgot to had my email above descalade@gmail.com thx again

Ryan Norris July 1, 2011 at 1:26 am

I’d like an invite.

iestyn July 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

Hi David,

Could you invite me too pls?

iestyn July 1, 2011 at 2:17 pm: Oops .. forgot email iestyn dot polley at gmail

Thanks man!

armand July 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

thanks for the review.

I’d love a google plus invite as well. thanks

Douglas July 1, 2011 at 1:28 am

please send me one invite: douglas.fugazi @ gmail.com

Ryan July 1, 2011 at 1:39 am

mclelland (a) gmail (period) com

Victor July 1, 2011 at 1:39 am

I would really appreciate if you could send me an invite!! thanks a lot!

Flor July 1, 2011 at 1:41 am

hey, could you please send me an invite to join?

mi email is florrcampi@hotmail.com

thanks!

liuyongju July 1, 2011 at 1:43 am

I come from China,I have read your blog and the posts was very great. At the same time your blog theme was very cool.If you have Google+ invite please send me one I will be thank you very much.
xpliuyongju@gmail.com

kk July 1, 2011 at 1:57 am

hi, could you please send me an invite to join google+

kk July 1, 2011 at 1:58 am: my email= shuyunkk@gmail.com thanks.

Adam July 1, 2011 at 2:03 am

I’d love an invite if you can spare one for a total stranger.

I’ll pay the favor forward for sure.

bender July 1, 2011 at 2:05 am

I would appreciate an invite if you can spare it. sgnewman@gmail.com

Thanks!
b

Noah Twitter: nswint July 1, 2011 at 2:05 am

Thanks David. Google won’t let me in to play

Stacey July 1, 2011 at 2:09 am

Can’t wait to try this out. Would love an invite – thank you

Faraz July 1, 2011 at 2:11 am

Hey, haven’t received the invite yet, although your tweet said you’ve covered everyone up to a quarter hour ago. Fingers crossed!

ERIC DE LEON July 1, 2011 at 2:12 am

I need a #googleplus invite… pls help… repacol27@gmail.com pls

Ivy Iffert July 1, 2011 at 2:19 am

invite please? ivyiffert@gmail.com

Tim July 1, 2011 at 2:22 am

Invite please timscotney@me.com

Dunyas Twitter: Dunyas July 1, 2011 at 2:22 am

I could really use an invite please. Joseph.Reilly4@gmail.com

Igor July 1, 2011 at 2:22 am

Looking awesome dude. My anticipation patience for it is so hard to wait for. Invite!! #puppyeyes

LOP July 1, 2011 at 2:25 am

NIce article about google+, can i have a g+ invitation?

LOP July 1, 2011 at 2:25 am

I forgot, perezlo@gmail.com

Faraz July 1, 2011 at 2:27 am

Will try once more: faraziit@gmail.com

Liz | Two Weeks to Travel Twitter: lfroment July 1, 2011 at 2:29 am

I’ll join with the invite request! Please and thank you! liz.froment@gmail.com

Heath July 1, 2011 at 2:30 am

Hey would love an invite.
Thanks

Glenn July 1, 2011 at 2:59 am

sir , can you send me an invite using the email address I used from commenting this message?. I want to blog this Google + thing, ofcourse I will give you credit

Stacey July 1, 2011 at 2:59 am

The invite didn’t work for me :/

Thomas Twitter: robetx July 1, 2011 at 3:02 am

hi.. it’s really awesome..!! could u pls send me one invite.
“x.r.thomas@googlemail.com”

Alison July 1, 2011 at 3:17 am

Saw this RT by Benny. I’d like an invite if you have any left. Thanks!

Mary Ann July 1, 2011 at 3:58 am

yeah.. heard great things about it.. would appreciate an invite if you have any.. Thanks.

Mary Ann July 1, 2011 at 3:59 am

whoops.. the email is maryannmanavalan@hotmail.com

Faraz July 1, 2011 at 4:07 am

Has the invitation worked for anyone yet? I got mine from David a couple hours ago, but it so far it just ultimately leads to this page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/up/start/?sw=1&type=st

Stacey July 1, 2011 at 4:08 am: Hasn’t worked for me, either.

Anna Tan July 1, 2011 at 8:43 am

Hello David, please invite me… Thank you : )

Tom Meitner July 1, 2011 at 1:57 pm

Would love an invite if you are still passing them out (please):

tom.meitner @ gmail

Thank you!

Anonymous July 1, 2011 at 2:10 pm

invite plz
atif4all@gmail.com

Jonathan July 1, 2011 at 7:17 pm

No idea if they’re still available, but thought I’d throw my hat in the ring if you’ve still got one May I please have an invite, David?

Alex Twitter: alexiskenne July 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm

The google+ project has been a success for those who have used it. those who will criticised are those who haven’t seen the power of google+. After installing on my blog, a couple of days later i got more than 600 people in my circle, that was such an amazing results.

Barry Wells Twitter: barry_wells August 21, 2011 at 1:34 pm