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Direct Connect with Google+

Google+ is the newest way to share, connect and communicate with others on the web.

Innovative yet simple, Google+ is already considered Facebook’s biggest competition. However, since it was only revealed in June of this year and opened completely to the public in September, some say it has come too late. 

Nevertheless, Google+ has already seen over 3 million visitors from the United States and nearly 7 million from France. In total, 40 million across the globe have created an account. 

In terms of function, Google+ can be said to incorporate aspects of both Facebook and LinkedIn. This is because Google+ skillfully combines social networking with professional networking, while allowing the user to keep them separate domains. Overall, Google+ combines 4 main sections: Home, Profile (similar to Facebook’s “wall”), Photos, and Circles.
Google+ Home includes your Stream, Chat and Hangouts. Each user is able to filter the information shown in their Stream (any combination of Friends, Family, Acquaintances, etc.). Pressing key “Q” will take your directly to your Chat, a convenient Google+ keyboard shortcut among several others. 

Social network privacy? 

The most distinctive feature of Google+ from similar sites is undoubtedly Circles. Google+ Circles allows each user to create, literally, circles of distinct groups of contacts. This makes it easy to separate friends from family and colleagues and thus to share information with a group without visibility to others. Another benefit is greater security. Google+ users can of course upload their own photos and share them with Instant Upload, edit and tag! More filtering can be done to determine which contact circles can see which photos.

Another unique feature of Google+is Sparks. Sparks is a simplified search and sharing engine for photos, videos, articles, and so on, based on users’ specified interests. Research any topic and you’ll find results from across the web, in over 40 languages, allowing you to strike up a conversation with a stranger. 

Google+ is even good for business! 

With Google+ Hangouts, contacts can enjoy free video chatting for up to 10 people – a great way to cut communication costs! This includes screen sharing. Thus far, Hangouts have been celebrated for strong connectivity issues, unlike those encountered on Skype. Each time a Hangout is created, the contacts included in that particular Circle are informed and can thus join in the videoconference. 

Anything else? 

By 2012, Google+ will even allow for the multi-administration of a company’s account, greatly increasing functionality for enterprises and their exposure on the social network. 

Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts is one such user. As of now, there are 2 specific Holiday Inn destinations with Google+ profiles, in addition to the original Holiday Inn. Soon they will be able to merge under one brand but remain separate as entities.

Want to join? plus.google.com/up/start/

C. MCMANEMY

Google+ home

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/le-net/google-plus/

Google+ Circles

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/le-net/google-plus/

join Google+

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/le-net/google-plus/

Google+ search

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/le-net/google-plus/