Social Media for Business

Chapter 12 Google+

Key areas we will cover in chapter 12:

• ✓ the advantages of Google+
• ✓ deciding if Google+ is for you
• ✓ creating a Google+ page
• ✓ Google+ functions.

Google+ is a social media platform that sits somewhere between Facebook and LinkedIn. Owned by Google, it has great search engine capabilities, particularly for a bricks-and-mortar business. I debated whether to add this chapter in since the platform has not been a huge success for Google, but it does have some benefits for you, so let’s explore it.

Quick facts on Google+

Here are some interesting Google+ facts:

• It was launched in 2011.
• There are over 2.5 billion registered users worldwide but 90 per cent are thought to have never used it.
• It once stipulated that if you wanted any other Google product, such as Gmail, you had to open a Google+ account too, which is one reason it has created such a large user base.

Advantages of Google+

With Facebook being your coffee shop of conversation, and LinkedIn being your boardroom, it’s hard to see where Google+ fits in — and that has meant its growth and active user base has been slow to catch on.

It’s just like when a new bar opens up in your town. Until your mates start ...