Feb 12
2
Most people are familiar with Google at this point. It is a very popular search engine. Google’s social platform, Google+, has a tool called Google Circles, which enables the users to categorize people into different groups or lists.
The purpose of Google Circles
The intended purpose of Google Circles is to allow people to share their content with the most appropriate people. It also allows people to follow other people’s content if it is deemed interesting and valuable.
The privacy aspect of Google Circles
Whoever is a member of one of your Google Circles is not able to see any of the other members of the circle. They are not able to tell specifically who is in the circle or how many people are members of the circle. Google Circles mimics real-life relationships. When it comes to a circle of friends (or even a circle of business associates), you are very selective about who you will allow to be a part of your circles. The people whom you choose for your circles are people you respect and admire, close friends, potential business partners, and people with whom you have some sort of emotional connection. The members of the circles have no awareness of the other members of the circles. If they eventually have an awareness, it is usually not detrimental; however, in the beginning, it is up to the person who is forming the circles to have control over who is a part of them.
Circles are circles and groups are groups
There are several differences between circles and groups and it is important to understand that they are not interchangeable. The following are ways to differentiate circles from groups:
In groups:
- All of the members of the group are aware of who the other group members are.
- All of the members of the group understand the objectives of the group.
- All of the members of the group know the name of the group.
In Circles:
- A Google Circle is an exclusive group of people. With Google Circles, there is nothing public about it. You can think about it as an extremely exclusive “country club.” Along with the privacy, unfortunately, the concept is difficult for some people to understand because of its complexity.
- Circles can limit who has access to any given content and others who have not been given access to that particular content will see “Limited” at the top of the post.
- With Google Circles, you can control who you want to share specific information with, whereas you can’t control it with groups.
- With Google Circles, you are able to keep the number of people at a comfortable level for you. If you feel that someone is worth adding to your circle, it will be a decision that you have not made lightly or quickly.
When you first set up your Circles, you can drag people from your lists in Google+ to form your circles. It is as easy as click and drag. The uniqueness of it is in the control that it allows you and the owner of the circles.
Conclusion
Google+ Circles is an excellent organizational tool. To have the capability of not only forming circles of people (for business and personal use) but then being able to control who is allowed to receive your content is amazing. This is a unique feature that will help you and your business to prosper more and more toward your journey of ultimate success.
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About the Author. Michael Cohn is the founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CompuKol Communications LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in IT and web technologies.
Mr. Cohn founded CompuKol Communications to help small businesses and entrepreneurs increase their exposure and reputation on the Internet. CompuKol consults, creates, and implements communication strategies for small businesses to monopolize their markets with a unique business voice, vision, and visibility.
Prior to that, Mr. Cohn spent a significant amount of time at a major telecommunications company, where his main focus was on initiating and leading synergy efforts across all business units by dramatically improving efficiency, online collaboration, and the company’s Intranet capabilities, which accelerated gains in business productivity. His expertise includes social media marketing strategies; internet marketing; web presence design; business analysis; project management; management of global cross-matrix teams; systems engineering and analysis, architecture, prototyping and integration; technology evaluation and assessment; systems development; performance evaluation; and management of off-shore development.
Mr. Cohn earned a Master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.
Mr. Cohn is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
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I have not done my homework on Google +. Thank you, Michael, for giving me this information.
The people in your Circle did not and may not see the name of that Circle. But never use any joking or insulting terms for the name of any Circle because if you share that Circle they will see it.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Brand & Communications Management
Discussion: The Power of Google Circles
G+ looks like is not going anywhere. The latest figures provided by google are inflated- its not looking positive at all."If I’m forced to sign up for + as part of registering for Gmail, YouTube or search, should that count as a registration? And if I then do a search or check my Gmail, should I be counted as engaging with +?"
I guess a well known brand (name) with an instantly recognizable and colorful logo is insufficient to justify taking on the extra social workload of being there.
My original forecast for G+, subject to its incremental 'we will be better then FB' strategy, was 20% tops (if everything goes well). This includes all social media addicts (business and otherwise), 1st to market second chance contenders and unknowing new entrants starting here instead of elsewhere (FB).
If we assume the 90 million active users provided by google as correct, its just over 10%, I say don't bother with G+ unless you have a very specific reason for being there (all my friends and/or contacts are there), you have time to spare (i like to repeat my message as many times and in as many ways as i can), and/or you are a social media addict (I can't help myself).
Posted by Marco Monfils
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Publishing and editing professionals
Discussion: The Power of Google Circles
Been with Google plus for some time. Less intrusive, more grown up than Facebook. Good one.
Posted by nigel foster
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: The Content Wrangler Community
Discussion: The Power of Google Circles
Thank you for bringing clarity to the difference between groups and Google Circles. I'm sure many people starting out with Google+ aren't aware of the difference.
Posted by Peter Curtis
Just a little bit sick of the changes that both Facebook and Google are making – annoying when things are working well and the their changes are not for the better. My Fb page is certainly suffering and now the Google Friend Connect is being discontinued on my website and I will have to look at Google+
All very frustrating!! Keep up the good work CC. Love Marie xxx