How Google+ Addressed Useful Network Features

While my first look at Google+ was focused on the organization use case, I've had the opportunity to think about other features that would make it more useful for me.

Many others have reviewed and compared the new network with others like Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr by now.

A little over a year ago, in a post where I was comparing Twitter to modern TV, I wrote a list of things I'd like to see Twitter do:

• better speed and reliability (both still an issue)
• a more powerful search feature to identify industries/interests
• better ways to create lists for filtering content (than manually)
• bulk subscriber management options (so basic -- why can't I search and select my own followers?)
• some sort of Inbox sanity for DMs (no spam filters -- really?)
• anything location-based that you don't need to be a programmer to figure out
• the ability to control the experience of my business profile (portability and design will also set Twitter apart from the rigid Facebook)

It's early days, and many Googlers participating in the network actively, as well as their teams, are collecting feedback from users as quickly as it comes. They also designed an intuitive way of signaling what the comment/request is about by letting you highlight that part of the page.

Rather than taking the approach of divining what will be, let's take a look at what they have already addressed off my Twitter wish list above:

• speed and reliability -- while it was better when fewer people were kicking its tires, so to speak, it is still holding its own

• powerful search feature to identify industry/interest -- it's Google, I would be shocked if search were left out of this. I put in "financial services" in the search box, and it served me with Google Profiles that match those keywords. Once again, this makes it harder for Google Apps customers. As for search in general, it seems to favor information that is contained in Google Profiles vs. in streams/conversations. I submitted feedback about this

• better ways to create lists for filtering content (than manually) -- right now, everyone is busy building circles and labeling them. Will Google tag and learn from those? This is another piece of feedback I submitted

• bulk subscriber management options -- circles take care of this in part. You have the ability to move people around in them easily, and filter streams based upon how you organized them. I still haven't found a way to filter by two circles without creating a third circle that combines the people in the first two. I should be able to check more than one on the sidebar

• spam filters for DMs -- this is something I haven't come across yet. I have sent a couple of test messages directly to people, and I have not received any directly to me

• location-based has been taken care of -- you can add the location when you send a message (see the symbol, a key, you can select)

• ability to control the experience of my business profile -- portability and design already set Google Profile apart. I'm hoping the team will address the ability of Google Apps customers to have business profiles as well.

What other useful network features that are lacking in Twitter and Facebook would you like to see the next social network address?  This is valid whether you're testing Google+ or not.

 

If you enjoyed this post from Conversation Agent, subscribe, share and like it. Sign up for my Premium Newsletter.

Comments

[Melody]

Hi Valeria! I just found you on Googleplus! I too really want a better way to search on twitter, and I wish I were not limited to 500 on a list, or the number of lists. There have been many times I've wanted to search my own lists by region: Hypothetically (sorry for this example), but if I hear that Starbucks is testing sugar free mocha sauce in Nashville, then it would be great to be able to search through my Starbucks partners and Starbucks enthusiasts list for just people in Nashville. If there is a way to do that, I don't know how to do it.

So far I am totally enjoying googleplus! Looks like you are too! It feels strange that it is still so small. Does anyone know how many googleplus users there are?

Enjoy your weekend!
~Melody

[William Mougayar]

I'm personally sitting on the fence regarding Google+. Not totally convinced yet that the required effort that goes into it is proportional to the returns.

I'd like to see Google be more innovative, instead of copying/aggregating others. They have a ton of data on us & I'd like to see them give it back to us in terms of analysis and insight.

[twitter.com/howardgr]

Valeria,
Great initial impression. I think there's a lot to Google+. I've shared that here: http://harbrooke.com/2011/07/why-you-should-pay-attention-to-google/ and look forward to your comments.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Google+ already feels like FriendFeed at the height of its popularity -- and in such a short time span. See and be seen ;-) I'm enjoying it in smaller circles and doses.

Search continues to be a tough nut to crack everywhere, it seems. Easier to ask people on the ground what is going on.

[Valeria Maltoni]

better filters and better information. I agree.

[Valeria Maltoni]

thank you for sharing the link, Howard. Glad you're enjoying it so far.