Googl Plus is Back: A Comprehensive Guide

Author

Reads 469

People Working in the Office
Credit: pexels.com, People Working in the Office

Google Plus is back, and it's better than ever! It was announced in 2019 that Google Plus would be shutting down, but in 2022, Google Plus made a surprise comeback.

Google Plus is a social networking platform that allows users to share content, connect with friends and family, and join communities of interest. It was first launched in 2011 as a way for Google users to share updates, photos, and videos.

The platform has undergone significant changes since its revival, with a renewed focus on community building and user engagement. Google Plus now offers features like live streaming and video conferencing, making it a great tool for remote teams and online communities.

Business Use

Creating a Google Plus business page is a straightforward process that can be completed with just a Gmail account.

To get started, a business owner simply needs to have an accessible Gmail account. They can even start one specifically for their business for managing the page.

Credit: youtube.com, Google Plus for Business – Overview

You can classify your business category, website, or product on the Google Plus create page, following the wizard's instructions.

Having a Google My Business platform supports your Google Plus page, making it easier for customers to find you through local search engine results and maps.

A business owner can then customize their page, including items like a company logo and other branded elements, to improve the listing's brand recognition.

Features and Settings

Circles are a key feature on Google Plus, allowing you to create friend groups or business groups by adding new connections to specific circles.

You can easily drag and drop friends from one circle to another, giving you control over what you share with each group. This helps keep your social network organized and ensures you have control over what your connections can see.

The circles feature also lets you edit what you share with each group at any time, giving you flexibility and control over your online interactions.

Expand your knowledge: Google Drive Groups

Circles

Focused group of colleagues working together on a project using a laptop in a modern office setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Focused group of colleagues working together on a project using a laptop in a modern office setting.

Circles on Google plus is a format for friend and contact classification that allows you to create your own friend groups or trending business groups.

You can add new connections into their own specific circles, giving you control over what you share with each one.

The circle feature helps to keep the entire social network more organized.

Dragging and dropping friends from one circle to another is very easy.

You have control to consistently edit what you share with each one of these circles.

Recommended read: Google One

Search and Sparks

Google's search features on Google Plus are quite in-depth. Every search completed across Google Plus can detail people, places, and content.

Sparks are a key feature that integrates new and trending news content, which can be featured across the Google Plus homepage and search engine. This means you can easily access the latest information and trends.

To make the most of Google Plus's search features, consider the following:

With Google Plus's search features, you can gain a deeper understanding of your audience and tailor your content to their interests.

Google+ Status and Future

Credit: youtube.com, [TiG] iPhone App Review: Google Plus (Google+)

Google+ still has a significant presence, with 375,000,000 active members and 22% of online adults visiting the platform at least once a month.

The platform is also seeing a lot of traffic, with 27,000,000 unique monthly visits and an average time spent on Google+ per visit of 3:46.

Google+ has a renewed focus, with Google investing resources to make it more competitive, and users can now tailor their social media stream around topics rather than people.

Here are some key statistics that demonstrate Google+ is still a viable platform:

Isn't it Dead?

Google Plus is very much alive, with a renewed focus from Google. The platform has a total of 375,000,000 active members. It's surprising, but true.

The numbers don't lie, and the stats from 2016 show that Google Plus is still a significant player. According to Statistic Brain, 27,000,000 unique visitors come to the site every month, with an average visit time of 3:46 minutes.

Credit: youtube.com, #24: Google+ & The Future of Investing in Social Networks [Podcast]

That's a lot of people, and a significant portion of them are returning visitors. In fact, 22% of online adults visit Google Plus at least once a month. If you're one of them, you know how useful the platform can be.

But what about mobile users? The good news is that 30% of smartphone users use the Google Plus app at least once a month. That's a significant number, and it shows that the platform is still relevant in today's mobile-first world.

Here's a quick rundown of the 2016 Google Plus user stats:

These numbers are impressive, and they show that Google Plus is still a force to be reckoned with.

Renewed Focus

Google Plus has a renewed focus, and it's not just a rumor. The platform is now more about content than social connections. You can tailor your Google Plus stream around topics, not just people. This means you'll see content related to your interests, and ignore everything else.

Readers also liked: Google Documents Not Working

Credit: youtube.com, Future of SEO: Focusing on Your Google+ Profile and Developing Your SEO Team

Google Plus has a massive user base, with 375 million active members. That's a lot of people! But what's even more impressive is that 22% of online adults visit Google Plus at least once a month.

The platform is also seeing a lot of engagement, with users spending an average of 3:46 minutes on Google Plus per visit. That's a decent chunk of time, if you ask me.

Here are some key stats that illustrate the renewed focus on content:

With this new focus on content, Google Plus is becoming a more valuable platform for businesses and individuals alike. The average sales order for a visitor referred from Google Plus is $40, which is a significant amount.

Settlement and Lawsuit

If you were a member of Google Plus before it shut down, you probably got an email about a class-action lawsuit against Google that has been settled.

Many former Google+ users are getting payouts as a result of this lawsuit.

Nearly 2 million former Google+ users are eligible to claim their $2.15 payout.

It's worth noting that only former Google+ users who received an email about the settlement are eligible for the payout.

Posting and Sharing

Credit: youtube.com, Google Plus for Posting and Sharing with Students

Posting on Google+ is a straightforward process. You simply type in what you'd like to say, and if you have a link, you can paste it in for a preview. You can also tag people by adding the + sign and their name.

To share your post, you can choose to post publicly or in a community. If you post in a community, your content will only be visible to that community, whereas posting publicly makes your content visible to anyone. Be mindful of who you tag in your updates, as it will add their name after the public label.

If you want to share your post via email, use the SEND EMAIL checkbox, but only if you're sure the recipients would want to see it in their inbox. You can also use hashtags to help people find your post, similar to Twitter.

Can You +1 on G+?

You can like stuff on G+ by +1'ing it. This is your way of saying you'd recommend an article or status update.

Credit: youtube.com, Blogger: Getting Your Sharing Options in 1 Line

The +1's are everywhere, just like the "like" button on Facebook. You can see all the things you've liked by going to your profile and looking under the +1's tab.

To see who has plusoned a post you wrote, find the post and click on the little area on the top right-hand corner of the box. Click on VIEW POST ACTIVITY to see everyone who has interacted.

You can create a page for your blog on G+, which allows you to post as that page. People can't +1 a profile, but they can +1 a page.

Just remember, +1's don't mean people are following you - they must add you to a circle to see your updates.

Posting on G+

Posting on G+ is a unique experience. You can type in what you'd like to say, and if you have a link, just paste it in there and it'll pull up a preview.

Credit: youtube.com, Sharing a Blog Post to G+

You can scroll through the images with the little arrows, just like in Facebook. You can also tag people by adding the + sign and their name.

Posting in a community is a bit different, though. You can't post publicly, which is fine. It's up to you to decide which content should be shared in a community and what should be public.

Hashtags are a great way to help people find your post, just like on Twitter. Just use a hashtag in your status to make it easier for others to discover.

The SEND EMAIL checkbox is a useful feature, but use it judiciously. It means your post will go to anyone who's been tagged, and you should only use it if you're sure they'd want to see it in their inbox.

Every single post on G+ is its own webpage, which means it has a URL attached to it for easy sharing. This is a major difference from Twitter and Facebook, which favor shorter updates.

If you want to learn how to post on G+, here's a recipe for the perfect G+ post: include links, hashtags, photos, and text all in the box. It's a great way to share your content and engage with others.

Hand holding a smartphone with Instagram icon on screen. IPhone with a social media app logo.
Credit: pexels.com, Hand holding a smartphone with Instagram icon on screen. IPhone with a social media app logo.

The View Ripples option is a useful feature that allows you to see how many times your post has been shared and by whom. You can even hover over their names and visit the post to thank them.

Circles on G+ act more like Twitter than Facebook. With Facebook, it's a mutual agreement to be friends, but with Twitter and G+, you follow and hope someone follows back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What replaced Google Plus?

Google+ was replaced by Google Chat, which integrated into the Gmail interface for G Suite users. Google Currents briefly filled the gap before transitioning to Google Chat in 2023.

Calvin Connelly

Senior Writer

Calvin Connelly is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content on a wide range of topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Calvin has established himself as a versatile and reliable voice in the world of writing. In addition to his general writing expertise, Calvin has developed a particular interest in covering important and timely subjects that impact society.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.