It’s been in the news lately, on twitter, people are discussing it on Facebook.  It’s the next “it” thing, said to rival Facebook.  Google +  promises to be a social media one stop shop.  With the credibility of Google already built right in, and the ease of the Google toolbar-  sharing through social media avenues will be much easier.  However, since Google Plus is so new, there isn’t much happening on it right now.  So, I am torn as to whether or not I like it.  Perhaps, if it takes off, it will rival Facebook- but that is a big IF.  Many of the people that I know are sticking with Facebook because they have spent too long building up their social networks on Facebook and don’t want to lose all they have invested.  Others have created Google Plus profiles, just in case it takes off and everyone moves over, but are still spending more time invested in Facebook and not putting any effort into Google Plus.

There are certainly some positives to Google Plus though.

Privacy is much easier to manage- it states very clearly what is being shown to whom. You can  restrict information based on public, within social circles, or keep information just for yourself.

You can keep people separate.  Have you ever been somewhere with a large group of people  and someone you barely knew kept interjecting their opinions into your conversations, and you thought “who is this bozo and why does he keep talking to me?”  well, with the “friend everyone” mentality of Facebook, some have said that is sort of what Facebook has turned into.  With Google Plus, you can restrict your status updates to just specific circles.  So if you want to discuss something business related, you can send it out just to your business circle.  If you want to make plans for Friday night Margarita night, you can send that out just to your circle of friends.  It shrinks the sphere of social networking again.

However, with just a few people taking a dive in the Google Plus Pool, I’m not yet entirely sold on Google Plus.  I think it’s going to be a wait and see situation.