Third Time Lucky for Google Social?

We have so far seen two failed attempts (we use the term ‘failed’ based on the fact that both platforms bowed out with little more than a whimper) from Google to take on Facebook’s superiority in the social sphere. First there was Google Wave but we found ourselves waving by to this almost as quickly as we were welcoming it and then there was the buzz about Google Buzz.

This though struggled under a storm of privacy issues. So, with the launch of Google+, have they finally got it right?

“Very Exciting”

Well it is hard to say at this early stage but what Google+ does do is seemingly incorporate some popular issues about sharing social content. It has the usual services – sharing pictures, messaging, comments and it introduces a video chat service – but this all sounds very similar to Facebook.

Alas, four key features are thought to help make Google+ more functional. Circles, Hangouts, Huddles and Sparks. These are all designed around grouping together content with groups of people and a way to perhaps ensure the information you receive is more tailored. Nicole Green, Social Media Manager at homejames, said,

“This is very exciting, although it is in its early stages. Challenging Facebook is no easy task but it looks like they have taken on board some of the criticisms of past attempts.”

Encouragingly for Google, Facebook has seen numbers wane a bit recently; could the tide be turning?