As well as announcing their latest figures on Android, Google also revealed some details on their new social network, Google+ in their recent earnings call, and Google+ now has over 90 million users around the world.
Google opened up Google+ to everyone just four months ago. The last figure we heard on Google+ numbers was back in December, where we heard that Google+ had around 62 million users, although these figures were estimated.
Google+ Growth and Features
Google+ is still quite a way behind the world’s largest social network, Facebook, which is reported to have over 800 million users and is expected to hit the 1 billion mark sometime this year. Despite this, the rapid growth of Google+ is noteworthy. In just a few months, the platform has managed to attract a substantial user base, indicating a strong interest and potential for future growth.
Google has been adding a number of new services and features to Google+ over the last few months. These include the introduction of “Circles,” which allows users to organize their contacts into different groups for more targeted sharing. Another popular feature is “Hangouts,” which enables video chatting with multiple people simultaneously. Additionally, Google+ has integrated with other Google services like YouTube and Google Photos, making it easier for users to share content across platforms.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While Google+ has made significant strides, it faces several challenges. One of the main hurdles is user engagement. Unlike Facebook, which has a highly active user base, many Google+ users are not as engaged. This could be due to the platform’s late entry into the social media space, where Facebook and Twitter have already established strong user habits.
Another challenge is the competition from other social networks. Facebook continues to dominate, and Twitter has carved out a niche for real-time updates and news. To compete, Google+ needs to offer unique features that set it apart. The integration with other Google services is a step in the right direction, but more innovative features will be necessary to attract and retain users.
It will be interesting to see how many users Google+ will have by the end of the year and whether they will be able to make a dent in the massive amount of users of Facebook. Google’s strategy seems to be focused on leveraging its existing ecosystem to boost Google+ usage. For instance, Google has been integrating Google+ with its search engine, offering personalized search results based on Google+ activity. This could potentially drive more traffic to the platform.
Moreover, Google has been actively promoting Google+ through its other services. For example, users of Gmail and Google Drive are often encouraged to join Google+ and connect with their contacts. This cross-promotion strategy could help Google+ grow its user base more rapidly.
In conclusion, while Google+ has a long way to go to catch up with Facebook, its rapid growth and the continuous addition of new features make it a platform to watch. The integration with other Google services and the unique features like Circles and Hangouts offer a different social networking experience that could attract users looking for alternatives to Facebook and Twitter. Only time will tell if Google+ can become a major player in the social media landscape.
Source Slashgear
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