Google Plus for Restaurants, why it's going to be better than Facebook, Twitter

Here we go again another social media site or so I thought. Google plus to me is the next evolution in social media. In Google fashion they found a way to unify several of the services we already use in Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Not only have they succeeded they’ve also improved it over the other social media sites.It’s been that most of us will open a Facebook account for our personal contacts, linkedin for business, and twitter for both; yet, there have been times when a business associate “friends me” on Facebook, I accept not to be rude, and it never fails one of my college buddies makes a comment that’s not business friendly. Right now, I have family, friends, and business associates in what I call a social toss salad. There are times you want to post a message for family only; unfortunately, post are visible to all your friends. This has been my biggest hang up with Facebook. Google develops an awesome tool to group my friends and keep my post private to the groups I select. Best part is that no one is aware of the group they belong to as far as they’re concerned they are just part of my social network.

Let’s review some of the Google plus features

Sparks it brings content to you automatically based on your interests. Each topic will get its own “Spark” page and provide links to related articles, videos, and photos.

Hangouts are virtual rooms where you can video chat like Skype with people in your circles. Yes, they integrated their own Skype! Google has always had Google talk, but this version is better. You can also do a conference with your circle.

Huddles allows you to send group messages to your circle. If you have an android device there is an app you can download at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.plus&rdid=com.google.android.apps.plus&rdot=1 send messages from your phone or create a huddle, and everyone can chat.

What you can do with Google plus

If you’re using an Android you can upload your photos instantly and share them with a circle. This is great when you’re in your restaurant and take a spontaneous picture and upload it for your followers.

How do you get Google plus?

It’s by invite only. They did this when they launched Gmail too; however, you can visit the Google plus home page https://plus.google.com/up/start/?continue=https://plus.google.com/&type=st&gpcaz=d559b008 to request one. Eventually, everyone with a Google account will have Google plus.

Try the demo at http://www.google.com/+/demo/

Out the gate and already developing tools for Chrome

With only 2 weeks out the gate developers are already developing cool tools for Chrome with Google plus. Chrome is the web browser created by Google, so it’s only logical they will have tools integrated with Google plus to enhance the user internet experience.

Google plus solved the privacy issue that Facebook has been plague with since their inception. Google plus uses circles to keep your posts private. Like I mentioned earlier I don’t want the public to read posts that my college buddies think are funny, but unprofessional to my business associates. Circles work more like a filter and allow users to keep certain posts with the right circle of people.

When Facebook first started we went from 10 to hundreds of friends making our Facebook home page noisy as hell. It’s the same issue I have with Twitter. There are people who are proud they have thousands of tweets and somehow feel that spitting out everything that’s on their mind is relevant and somehow elevates their status. Actually it’s more annoying, and after a while they get ignored. I rather read tweets with substance, then to hear people verbally vomit everything that comes out their mouth. Yes, you can unfollow these people or block them and you can do the same with Google+, but the biggest difference is that all those noisy tweets can now be filtered by groups, especially the inappropriate posts.

The final word is still out; however, we find it to be a very compelling experience. Google Plus invites will roll out to users over time; the first stage is being called a Field Test. Users will send feedback to be collected before fully rolling it out to the public.

If you’re using it, we would like to hear your thoughts. Will millions of users leave Facebook, Twitter, and Linked in for Google+?