Google just released their new Google Plus Communities. This is the social networks group feature to go along with the other social features for Google Plus. We will explore the community feature in this week’s Social Networking Minute.
I recommend you log onto your Google plus account as we go through the video below, so you can quickly get started with the new Google Plus Communities. They are simple to join, interact, and create. Perfect place to make some great connections.
Social Networking Minute: Google Plus Communities
Google Plus Communities Review
First, here is the Social Media Community I create on Google Plus from the video.
Second, this is a cool feature to the site. It might be one of the best they have used to help people connect with each other on the social network. My only question is what took them so long to create Google communities. It just seems like something you would create at the start to help people connect with each other.
The feature actually makes more sense than the convoluted Google Plus Pages, which are confusing to navigate and understand with the Google Plus Local interface.
I hope this helped you have a greater understanding of how the Google Plus Communities work. Looking forward to seeing you in a community sometime in the near future. What are your thoughts on the new communities?
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Hi Andy
I just am loving the G+ Communities – I’m part of ours and developed my own this week. The beauty of it is that we can create like-minded folks to share and have conversations with a specific niche and also meet new people.
As a social media fan, I’m liking this platform better than Facebook Groups. I don’t have to spend time “leaving groups” that I’m added to each day. Here, we can be more selective.
I’ve been thinking about the use of G+ and the effect it has on our social standings with Google.
By using G+ with communities, hangouts, etc. do you think that it will get the attention of Google to rank one higher?
I’ve been reading reviews, but i just wanted to know your feelings about it. Thanks, Donna
Donna,
Facebook ruined groups when they allowed people to be added to groups. I was thinking about that for rankings. Very possible! Google has become obsessive about G+, so I would not rule out them ranking their own communities higher at some point. I think the communities will have to provide quality before they do this, however.
Andy
I am excited about Google Communities. I think that it is the beginning of probably a number of new roll-outs that Google will be doing over the next 13 mos to drive market share on social media networks. Interesting to see that they rolled it out while Facebook is mired in problems:)
I really love G+ and what it brings to the table…thanks Andrew!
Martin,
When is Facebook not mired in problems these days? I think that the Google Communities was probably the best addition to the site yet.
Andy
Although we have a Google + account, we really don’t use it very much (if at all) so I’m just a little confused whether Google Communities is a purely social networking media or can it be used as a networking/marketing media? I know that the old Google Groups started out as a type of social networking outlet and quickly degenerated into nothing but spammy marketing messages.
I believe that Google Communities is a cross between Google Groups and Google Plus. Probably a lot less spammy, but there will be social networking and marketing at the same time. Whenever you join a bunch of marketers then you will have some in the group specifically out there to market their product.
Well, I don’t use Google+ very often, but I know that it has a huge number of opportunities, the Communities is one of them. Thanks a lot for explaining all its possibilities
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Julia,
Google+ is becoming part of the marketing mix. You might want to take a second look.
Andy
Great hangout and the news has got me so excited. Brilliant stuff. Thanks
Thanks Candice! Did you join the community I created. would love to connect with you on there.
Got to say I am loving Google communities. Great for me and so many other bloggers because I am always looking to connect with more and more people. Was a little bit skeptical at first, but I have been seeing excellent results from Google communities. Andy, I will be looking up your social networking group as I am always trying to learn more and more about stuff I don’t know a whole lot about.
Garen,
That is awesome! I am impressed with Google Communities so far as well! And I have been pretty critical on Google Plus, because they have not been a stellar example of social media. Might be their best move yet. Love to connect on google+.
Andy