Image credit: bdtechie.com
Can Google+ score a knockout in the social media ring between itself and Facebook? If you ask the hundreds of millions of Facebook users, they would say it’s highly unlikely.
But, that doesn’t mean that Google+ can’t win a few rounds. Google+ has features that trump Facebook making the user experience much easier.
Posting
With Google+’s circle categorization, users can easily select which people they want to view a post. Once Google+ introduced this feature, Facebook did as well. Because Facebook rolled out this feature so late, it is not as user-friendly as Google+.
Select viewership according to circles:
Here is how Facebook answered back to Google+
You can specify to whom you want to post on Facebook, but the process is not as streamlined because you do not have the organization of circles. If you create friend’s lists you will have a little more control over who sees your posts.
Streams
Streams allow you to filter the content on your main feed. Categorize how you want to organize content by creating multiple circles. On the left side of your screen you will see this:
Choose a circle and view only the content posted by people in that circle. With Google+, you can read the content you want without scrolling through pages of unwanted posts.
With Facebook, you can delete posts and categorize them by “most recent” or “top stories” or view more posts from those you designate as “Close friends” and less from those you designate as “Acquaintances”. Facebook recently introduced Interest Lists which allow you to add People or Pages to lists and aggregate their content into groups. These lists will display on your news feed in a shortened format. However, this feature does not allow you to control all of the content you view in your news feed.
Rankings
Since the Search Plus Your World (SPYW) Google update, marketers have been flocking to Google+ in droves. Why? Because Google is now showcasing Google+ profiles on the first page of searches when users are signed in and taking advantage of SPYW. Google created the SPYW search interface to tailor content directly to users’ search activity and behaviors. And it rewards users of its social platforms with first page results if they are top engagers.
Hangouts
Hangouts are basically group chats on steroids. Chat in real time with anyone on Google+ and get notified when someone in your circles starts a hangout.
Hangouts are valuable because you can opt to start one directly from a post:
Once you leave a post to start a hangout, Google+ will automatically post a comment allowing others to join the video chat room.
Facebook launched video chat to compete with Google+, but the feature is more difficult to use. To video chat, you must physically add people by signing into chat. You cannot start a video chat room and invite people like Google+.
Posts
Editing
Google+ allows you to edit your posts once they are published. Facebook does not have this feature. To edit a post in Facebook, you must delete it and repost with the updated information.
Control
On Google+ you have complete control over your posts. Remove the ability to comment by clicking “Disable comments” or click “Lock this Post” to prevent anyone from sharing the post. If you make a mistake and want to open up comments again, simply “undo” the option at any time. Facebook does not offer this feature.
Your Life; Your Choice
Your choice will depend on where your audience hangs out and also your personal preference. For me, both networks offer value, although I spend the majority of my time on Facebook. I guess you can say I am a creature of habit.
Which social network do you prefer? If you are on Google+, let us know in the comments below.
Jenna Scaglione is a content writer, internet marketer, and a lover of family, friends and life. Jenna enjoys learning, growing and discovering the newest and latest trends on the internet. Known as "Lady Content", she lives in sunny Socal where she helps her clients around the world increase brand awareness on the internet through content writing and social media.
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