Future of Google+
Recently, everybody is buzzing about Google+ and people are talking about how new circles, cubes and squares are so cool. The real question remains, will Google+ fail or succeed? Only time can predict that but my prediction is not in favor of Google+. Time will tell.
Let's face it. Facebook announced that is has 750 Million active users. Who knows how much is that true but let's say, they have over half a billion active users. Google also has almost every user out there and that number may also be 750 Million.
So who is Google actually targeting? Facebook users? Twitter users? LinkedIn users? Gmail users?
How many of us really want to move to a new website? Probably not too many if this is just another Facebook like website. Many of us already do not like Facebook and moving to Twitter or LinkedIn.
Twitter users are not likely to go to Google+. They are totally different animals.
LinkedIn users are more professionals and focus on their business only. So there is definitely a no there.
Unless Google does a great (or even greater) job at the user interface and usability, they are most likely to fail. This is not their first attempt on social media. Some failed products like Orkut and Google Buzz are already out there.
Google also do not do good job marketing their products. They think, everything can be done by word-of-mouth like Google and Gmail did. They need to do better job at user interfaces. Recently, Yahoo has done a great job at their new mail interface. Gmail interface still sucks. Sometimes I get so confused with Gmail interface, I hate it. As soon as I get Office 365 setup, I am going to leave Gmail.
I am not sure how successful Google+ will be? I see new users who are joining Gmail or other Google products, will probably be forced to Google+. Some frustrated users who do not like Facebook and have no interest in Twitter and LinkedIn, will go to Google+. Some users will move to Google+ to have one more account, just to have it. I hope Google+ is not just another product by Google that will diminish slowly like Orkut or Google Buzz.
Over the years, however, Google+ has an advantage. It has seen what people like and what dislike after watching Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn grow. May be, Google+ will focus more on that and give people what they really like and ignore features they do not. Google+ is adding business profiles.
Time will tell. If it succeeds, this will not be the first time, my predictions will fail. I wrote about iPad and thought who would buy it but apparently I was wrong.
Have you looked at Google+ yet? Are you willing to move to Google+?
Time will tell!
Manas PatnaikPosted Jul 12, 2011, 1:35 PM
I enjoyed your analysis and point of view. Adding something, , Google+ clearly targets Facebook, although it has the almost same user as FB. However, I sense the google+ as a product will add value to Google . The essence here is complete ecosystem offering along with your strength. We have seen downward spiral of Nokia, which failed to do so. Although i am not yet a used of G+ but the concept looks exciting with Cirlces, hangout (something like group among friends) .Along with Youtube, search reachability, chat, GoogleDoc it seems they are on a run. Furthermore, Google seems to have learned the failure they received with google buzz, and they are ready to wait to make it big. And also I feel the product quality. Size does not guarantee adaptability, as you aforesaid Yahoo's mail is far better than Gmail, but the way you market it or convey to the end user still I remember the how the Gmail account was a prestige issue long back when it got lunched.Following same the Twitter and FB gained popularity. So may be the Prestige Marketing is doing the trick here. Apple does always associate so called prestige along with their product. and they always have a profitable product in their hand. Gesture based Kinnect as technology excites me more than Ipad but hardly people have shortlisted it as next buy, most of us want a IPad in our hand even though not sure how it will help us other than reading digital newspaper at the breakfast table. All I want to say G+ is a product with great latitude and longitude and can hit Facebook directly. If they pick the proper way of marketing along with a positive vibe in web media and bit patience this will turn the table in their favour. Fingers Crossed.
Blocked AccountPosted Jul 12, 2011, 3:11 AM
Nice analysis sir. You are right.