Getting started with Google+

Social Media is booming. Sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter play a huge role in today’s pop culture. Almost anybody who’s somebody has got themselves a Facebook and tweet at least a few times a day. So naturally, when anything becomes a huge hit, imitators follow. There are many site hosting companies attempting to leech of the success an influence of Facebook, but nearly all come across as cheap imitations. But one company is just now attempting to jump into the social media market, and they have the track record to make a splash.

Google is no stranger to the internet. As the world’s most widely used search engine, Google has its hands on nearly everything that has to do with the World Wide Web. It seems that almost anything they touch turns into gold. Gmail, Google Maps, Google Shopping, Images, Videos and much more, Google has as impressive a track record as anyone. And that is why there are such high expectations for its first venture in to the social media market.

Google Plus has been drawing rave reviews from almost everyone who’s gotten the chance to use it. It’s a social network much akin to other social networking giants like MySpace or Facebook; the user creates a page for them and via that page they can socialize with any other user on the network. It’s a common formula that has seen little improvement since its debut. But Plus offers a few innovations that have impressed many using its network.

Circles
The most notable addition to standard social network protocol, Circles let you group friends based into separate categories, such as friends, family, colleagues and more. Doing so separates what they can see on your page. You can post something and mark it as family only. Many blog hosts could for example post something for their readers, and keep private family messages separate. Circles eliminate the more common public/private system that is limited in scope.

Sparks
Another great addition is Sparks. Sparks automatically presents you with web content based on your selected interests. Each interest you select will have its own sparks page, which will provide you with the links to your content.

Hangouts and Huddles
Taking from the realms of Skype, hangouts let you video chat with your friends in an easy, efficient method. You can chat with one friend, or a whole room of them. Similarly, Huddles is a group messaging application that lets you message the people in your circles. Huddles also has a mobile app, so you can message on the go from your phone.

Android Compatible
Seeing as how Android is a Google invention, it was expected that they would work together seamlessly, and that they do. Obviously, you can check messages and more, but you can also take a picture on your Android-powered phone and upload it instantly to Google+, and it includes a twitter like stream of update from all of your friends.

Right now, Google Plus is invite only, but not exactly private. Anyone who has been invited to Google Plus can invite others, in other words, you don’t need an invite offer form Google itself, anyone will do. Eventually, anyone with a Google account will be in on the network, it’s only a matter of time.

Google Plus is an awesome social network, and many believe it will give Facebook a run for its money. Whether or not it does, Google Plus should find a user base from at least the hardcore Google fans out there. It’s simple and easy, yet deep and complex, just like every other Google innovation that users have fallen in love with.

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