Is Google+ the new Facebook?

For more than 5 years, Facebook has held a monopoly over all the social networks. Launched in February 2004, it has single handedly destroyed the likes of Hi5, MySpace and the lesser known Orkut.
The only networking sites which have managed to survive are Twitter and LinkedIn, which quite frankly serve a completely different purpose and have never been able to match Facebook's popularity. As of July 2011, Facebook has more than 750 million active users, making it the 3rd most populated "country" in the world. Arguably, Facebook has changed the way we are. You write on someone's *wall*, you *like* someone's status, you *facebook* someone (I'm pretty sure we've all used "I'll facebook you"). It truly is more than just another social networking website. Granted, my knowledge on Mark Zuckerberg and co. is restricted to the movie "Social Network", but I think one of the main reasons Facebook was such a hit was that it connects with people, figuratively speaking. Zuckerberg, himself only 27, knows what people want and gives it to them. The founders of Facebook are young, ambitious and get into the mindset of people. It has worked very, very well for them and for the users of Facebook.


But now, after years of being the leaders of the social media, I'm sure the Facebook "daddies" would be a little apprehensive of the new phenomenon called Google+.

Google+, as you guessed it is a social networking website designed by Google. It is still in the trial beta mode, and will be launched shortly for the public at large. Right now, one can only become a member through invites. It caught my attention yesterday, when I heard the Google CEO Larry Page announce that Google+ has already attracted 10 million members on its website. This was a staggering figure.

So what's new that Google+ has, which Facebook doesn't?

1. Google+'s homepage is very similar to what Facebook's users are familiar and comfortable with - like updates from friends, photo uploads, events etc.With Circles, Google has tried to set itself apart from Facebook. While your information you post in Facebook is shared immediately to those who are in your friend list, Circles allows one to choose people we want to share information with. There is some information you WOULD NOT want your mother or your boss knowing. Google+ allows you to do that. In fact, users can make groups for sharing information such as parents, close friends, casual acquaintances, and so on.


2. With an instant upload feature, one can easily upload pictures that he is taking with his camera (of course when he so wishes). This is in sharp contrast with Facebook where uploading of photos and videos takes an eternity and members get bored. The slogan “share just the right things with just the right people” says it all. 

3. “Hangouts” is a new feature that allows you to disclose your location to chosen friends and then wait to see who drops by to join the fun.

4. Sparks is the feature that allows you to post your likes and dislikes and the app automatically sends you latest and exciting news and offers on your likes. It could be on music, books, fashion or a category made by you. 

5. Huddle is another feature that allows users to chat instantly with many friends at the same time unlike windows that are created in Facebook chat. All friends drop down to a single chat and you feel you are in the midst of your friends. Unlike Facebook, you do not jump from one window to another or reply wrongly to your friends.

There is also the use of Web 3.0, which Google+ is introducing to the world. I'm not sure how different it is to Web 2.0 but it'll certainly be worth a look. Privacy is another big advantage which Google+ has over Facebook.

Only time will tell if Google+ can take on the might of Facebook, but it certainly has attractive features to lure potential members. I reckon Facebook will not give up without a fight though. With features like Skype video call and Chat members side bars, you can see they are trying hard. We'll just have to see which giant prevails.