Google is now rolling out a new feature to its Google+ app recommendation engine, that will now take into consideration the applications that your friends within Google+ have upvoted. Enabling you to easily find more applications that your friends have recommended.
Enhanced Social Integration
Now when you visit the Chrome Web Store you can click on a link “From your Circles” to find out whether a particular application has been recommended by any of your friends. This new feature leverages the social connections within Google+ to provide a more personalized and socially integrated browsing experience. By seeing which apps your friends have endorsed, you can make more informed decisions about which applications to try out. This is particularly useful in a crowded app marketplace where user reviews and ratings can sometimes be overwhelming or unreliable.
“You can now share all of your favorite Chrome Web Store items with people in your Google+ circles by finding them in the Chrome Web Store and clicking the +1 button located in their store detail page.” explains Hui Guo, Software Engineer Google.
How It Works
The process is straightforward. When you find an app you like in the Chrome Web Store, you can click the +1 button on the app’s detail page. This action will share your recommendation with your Google+ circles. Conversely, when you are browsing for new apps, you can click on the “From your Circles” link to see which apps have been +1’d by your friends. This feature not only helps you discover new apps but also fosters a sense of community by allowing you to see what your friends are interested in.
For example, if you are looking for a new productivity tool, seeing that several of your friends have recommended a particular app can give you the confidence to try it out. Similarly, if you are into gaming, knowing which games your friends are playing can enhance your gaming experience by allowing you to join them or compete with them.
Benefits of Social Recommendations
Social recommendations can significantly enhance the user experience in several ways:
1. Trust and Reliability: Recommendations from friends are generally more trustworthy than anonymous reviews. You know your friends’ tastes and preferences, which can help you gauge whether an app will be useful or enjoyable for you.
2. Discoverability: With millions of apps available, finding the right one can be daunting. Social recommendations can help you discover hidden gems that you might have otherwise overlooked.
3. Community Engagement: Sharing and discovering apps within your social circles can make the experience more interactive and engaging. It can also lead to discussions and exchanges of tips and tricks related to the apps.
For more information jump over to the Google blog post for details.
Source: Google
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