What is Google+?

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Google+ is Google’s best hope to take on, if not eradicate Facebook from the face of the Earth.  Facebook was the first of the large social networks, and probably will be around for a long time.  However, that being said, Google+, Google’s new social network does offer some things that Facebook does not, even though Google+ looks like a clone copy of Facebook in Google clothing.  Perhaps having the two compete will be good for the end user, since one will have to outdo the other in order to keep the users?  We will have to wait and see.

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Here are some of the things that Google+ offers that Facebook does not.

Circles

Now this functionality is long overdue.  Do you really want to have everything you share with your wife, available to all your friends, acquaintances, and employers?  It is a good tip to never post anything that you are not proud of, but the answer is still probably “no”.  Circles allow you to create your own social circles within Google+ and share content with those groups selectively.

Hangouts

Hangouts appear to be the new wave of private chat rooms, where you can invite individuals or entire circles or individuals to your hangout for group discussions and synchronous video watching!

Sparks

Google takes its targeted advertising to a whole new level with Sparks.  Sparks works as a search engine, where you type in something you are interested in, and Google+ returns results based on the topic you entered.  Does anybody else see this as another future Google revenue stream?  Perhaps prioritized results based on advertising rankings like Adsense/Adwords.  I hope not, but who knows…

Huddle

Google+’s Huddle is  Google’s mobile group chat service, and has a chance of being the most similar to what Apple’s upcoming iMessage, which makes it easier to communicate with entire groups of friends at the same time.  One thing to mention is how much easier it is to use this than Google Talk, especially when it comes to inviting new people to the conversation.

Quitting

Last but not least, a feature that Google+ has that Facebook does not.  The ability to close your account!!! Have you ever tried to close your Facebook account?  Facebook has the option so buried and convoluted, that it is next to impossible to leave Facebook altogether.  Facebook has the option to deactivate your account, which is relatively easier, but all that does is allow other users to interact (mentions, invites, etc.) with your account without your knowledge!  Google+ has a visible option to close your Google+ account if the social networking site is not your cup of tea, which gives it a big +1 in this writer’s opinion.  After all, should everybody have the freedom to leave?

Finally Google has made a decent attempt to take on Facebook.  Google+ is currently not available to everyone, but with the promising way Google+ works at the moment, should be available TBD.

For now, check out Google’s +1 Presentation, and see what they have to say.

What is your opinion?  Is Google+ a Facebook contender?