Maybe the question shouldn’t be, “Is Google+ dead?”, but “Was Google+ ever alive?”
Now, don’t confuse this question.
I’m not asking, “Do you use Google+?” or “Do you like Google+?”
Take a look at these statistics and tell me what you think:
[Click for Larger]
Things are looking grim.
Thoughts?
[via Browser Media]
Jonathan Assink says
IDK. I think Google needs to just focus on the long game. Have their network, and keep tying together all the pieces of Drive, Gmail, Google+, etc. Facebook and Twitter aren’t fool proof, they can still screw up their services and if Google is standing there waiting with a fully functional platform they stand to reap all the benefits.
Also, would be interested to know what that Google+ valuation is now vis-a-vis Facebook’s current value.
Eric Dye says
That would be interesting.
Google is putting together an impressive collection of tools, I just don’t know if the general populous needs it or cares.
I like it!
Chris Walker says
This reminds me of the time when I was trying to convince my friends to leave MySpace to go to Facebook. I think that people will eventually get tired of Facebook and will check out Google+ as the better alternative. And they will stay there when they discover that everything in Google+ plays nice together. I think that you will see a bigger push for people to join Google+ in the near future, especially if they open the API for it.
Eric Dye says
Oh, yeah. An open API would be huge.
I agree with you — people will get tired of Facebook.
Alex Humphrey says
I would say the difference between MySpace and Facebook is the advertising. MySpace got bogged down with hacked accounts, lousy advertising, ugly design, and (ultimately) the false assumption that nothing could ever be bigger or better.
Facebook does a really good job of changing with the times, keeping their system fresh (with regular redesigns and updates) and connecting to other networks. You can log into almost anything with a facebook account, that’s HUGE.
And social networks that compete with facebook (like pintrist) do so by being completely different in every way. Compare that to Google+ which is basically facebook designed differently. When the world gets tired of Facebook, I doubt they’ll move to Google+, unless Google does something completely original. Don’t forget, Facebook was originally limited to college students and completely revolutionized social networks with their timeline that told you everything your friends were doing on the site.
Eric Dye says
Good points, Alex. If people do get tired of Facebook, it doesn’t make sense for them to migrate to the same type of service. Google+ needs an attention getter for sure.
Marcus Williamson says
Ha! I will say though, Google is a fighter. I liken them to Joe Frazier. Bruisers. They may not win all the time but they’ll fight til the end. Ya never know with Google.
To answer those questions: I really don’t use Google other than for Email/Maps (Soon to use apple’s version though)/Youtube. Right now I don’t enjoy Google+ but who knows what the future holds.
Eric Dye says
True. Plus, I think the more people using an Android will only hook more into Google+ over time.
Sheldon Curry says
I’ve been busy for the last couple of months setting up web presence. I have a G+ acct., but it sits dormant, waiting for me to get around to it. I think there is potential, especially for small group video meetings, but you have to go through the process of explaining G+ to fellow users. Get the same thing done quicker with Skype. Jury’s definitely out. The only folks I know who use it consistently have self interests.
Eric Dye says
Same here. You have a few die-hards, but most people don’t use it …. yet? 😀
Joanna says
I tend to think that unless there is a dramatic new innovation that gets people flocking it, Google Plus is probably on a downwards slide.
I think one of the reasons Google Plus failed to gain a foothold relates to the type of people that users tend to follow on various social networks. On sites like Pinterest and Twitter, many users predominantly follow people they don’t know in person. On that type of site even if your friends don’t make the move you can join without them and still enjoy the site. On sites like Google Plus and Facebook, people seem to primarily friend people they know in person. That means that if your friends aren’t on it, the site is a bit pointless. Unless a critical mass of friends are already there or are willing to take the effort to move over together, people probably wouldn’t bother with Google Plus.
Eric Dye says
Good points, Joanna.
It’s going to require a collective migration of people groups for Google+ to move past Facebook.
Tyler H says
whoa whoa whoa. hang on. everyone who is honest knows that very few people care about google plus. i don’t want to talk about that.
in 2050 a father and son are going to be talking about google? and pulling random statistics out of the air about how much time people spent on it versus facebook? What was popular in 1974? do you know the number of people that visited the most popular website in 1974? come on.
I call shenanigans!!!
Eric Dye says
LOL! Shenanigans, indeed.
Lincoln Parks says
I think its a little bit too early to say that here. I know the stats are speaking volumes. However, think of they have something brewing with Google Hangouts and for marketers right now its a great ground to build business in niche areas at the moment. No its not Facebook, but I think this is a little premature don’t you think?
Eric Dye says
Yes. It is a little premature. I think we’ll have a better idea in a few more years.
Greg says
I don’t believe Google Plus is dead or even on the slide. I’m an amateur photog and the photography community is HUGE on G+. The interaction is completely different than it is on FB or Pin. Overall, the interaction is deeper and more thought out (IMO). Unlike FB, the photographer circles introduce people to other like minded people worldwide.
It’s a different type of engagement – fewer baby pictures, no annoying game invites and better quality stuff.
I still say the shift is coming.
Eric Dye says
It’s great to hear about those who are finding Google+ to be awesome!
Matt Orley says
Crickets
(my standard response for any article about G+)
Derek Archer says
HA!
Eric Dye says
LOL!
Alex Humphrey says
I think Google+ is dead. I use Google for almost everything else besides social networks and I can’t think of a single reasons to use the program over Facebook. Honestly, it doesn’t integrate in any way that facebook doesn’t, and there’s nothing particularly cool about it anymore.
I loved it at first, thought it would be great, but facebook quickly took things back over and, let’s be honest, squashed the competition.
Daniel Berman says
I for one appreciate not having to look at four columns of content and ads stuffed into as many places as possible. In terms of a social contract at least Google+ is actually working to understand me in terms of making search and Identity results more relevant. Facebook is simply trying to get me to share as much about myself as possible in order to sell the data to advertisers.
Granted the argument could be made for Google doing the same thing. However at least Google is providing more of a service to me than just free social connection. Since I have to prioritize, Google+ seems to offer more value.
Eric Dye says
Unfortunately, many Internet users have bad taste, so the better service doesn’t always win out. :-/
Eric Dye says
I don’t know if I would say it’s dead, but it certainly is on life support. The cool factor is huge.
Scott says
Your aunty and uncle who have trouble posting pictures on Facebook as it is are not going to be switching social networks anytime soon if at all, ever! Facebook is not perfect and will never be, but it’s success is because everyone uses it. Why jump ship to another social network if not ‘everyone’ is on there? Google+ is mostly for tech savvy people only, that’s the general demographic there. For those kind of reasons, Google+ is not going to be replacing or even seriously competing with Facebook anytime soon.
Eric Dye says
You’re right about the user base. A good deal of Facebook’s users barely made it onto Facebook and know how to use it. The chance of them “jumping ship” to learn something new is slim.
Frank Ramage says
I think Greg is on to something… If G+ became a place for serious (e.g., pro/am) vertical communities, it might get traction. That’s been my thought, as far as actually using it … Valuable relationships only.
Eric Dye says
That’s the key, Frank. “Valuable relationships only.”
John Kim says
These statistics have little say on the user experience. The more people isn’t always the more merrier!
Much to say, these days I use google+ moderately but more so than facebook because I am tired of seeing reshared memes, fairly little status updates, and lots of unpleasant gunk all over the place. Facebook is still the king platform for social networking, but Google+ fits for my more professional connections (there’s linkedin for that but I’m still learning).
In time, the more quality service will ascend to the survival of the fittest.
Eric Dye says
Interesting observations … and you’re right about more not always meaning merrier. As it was said in another comment, valuable relationships on ANY social media platform is key!
Clay says
I really like the experience of Google+ and want it to work in this world, but it’s just not happening. I committed to it for a couple months and barely got any interaction of substance in return. I’ll still root for G+ but wouldn’t bet on it any time soon.
Eric Dye says
That’s how I feel, too.
Douglas Porter says
Google Wave, Buzz, Video, iGoogle…
Wave might have worked it they put a tab for it in Gmail like they did with Buzz so I knew I had a new notification. I liked Wave.
I’m waiting for Facebook to come out with a new design or to push too much advertising that annoys everyone enough to move to Google+.
Apple has had the same problems: Ping, Game Center. It’s not always a bad product, but that there is already something else. (Or just not enough time to use it all)
Eric Dye says
Good points, man.