Expert Tip Using Google+ on IOS Device

Thomas Hawk · Top Commenter · Photographer/Blogger at Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection
Posting on Google+ every single day and finding an active, vibrant, engaging community -- more so than any other site on the web. The photographic community is on fire there and doing really amazing things with photography and art.

One thing that it think happens as people use G+ more is your private sharing significantly increases and none of this activity can be measured by things like ManageFlitter. In addition to my own public posts (mostly my photos, blog posts, public pols, etc.) more and more I'm using the site with smaller groups of people -- a conversation with a single person which sort of replaces the need for emailing them, we have a conversation going with about 8 people which is being used to plan a photowalk, a conversation with four friends discussing a specific photo that is being edited, a hangout limited to 300 invitees to ensure a good mix of friends, etc.

With easier privacy controls, I think people are seeing the value of G+ beyond just a place to post publicly, which I think is good.
Reply · 227 · · September 15 at 6:40am

Andrew MacDonald · Top Commenter · Concert Photographer at GIGATUDE
As a fellow photographer, I haven't had as much success with Google +, although I probably haven't put as much effort into harvesting and maintaining a community there than I should have. But I do agree, from following other photogs in the site, it's definitely a vibrant and active place for us to engage in.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 6:58am

Bill Sanders · Real Branding
I agree with Thomas. I'm actually using Google+ more than Facebook because it actually lets me control who I share with. So, while public sharing may be going down I'd like to see the numbers on overall activity. I don't think you can count Google+ out yet.
Reply · 13 · · September 15 at 7:20am

Franky Branc.
That is exactly what FriendFeed fans said too. Remember FriendFeed? Yeah, me either.
Reply · 34 · · September 15 at 7:21am
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Robert Scoble · Top Commenter · Chief Learning Officer at Rackspace Managed Hosting
I'm on Google+ every day at https://profiles.google.com/scobleizer.

But this misses a HUGE point: Google doesn't need a lot of people, nor does it need a lot of posts, to be successful.

Here's why:
...See More
Reply · 175 · · September 15 at 7:39am

Shel Israel · SM writer, consultant & nice guy at SI Associates
Still learning from you...at least in the world of shiny things.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 7:42am

Robert Scoble · Top Commenter · Chief Learning Officer at Rackspace Managed Hosting
By the way, I hope EVERYONE leaves Google+. Why? I am seeing signs that Google is handing out search result improvements to those who post and participate on Google+ (and I totally expect that to get much deeper integration in the near future). So, if you all leave you'll be giving me the biggest SEO gift the world has ever given ANYONE. Go ahead, leave! Shoo! Leave all that SEO to me. Thank you very much!
Reply · 58 · · September 15 at 7:42am

John Gotts · Candidate for Idaho State Representative - District 18 at State of Idaho
But Robert, if Facebook purchases Yahoo, which there is a rumor could be in discussion, then Facebook will also have a big piece of search.

What's amazing is that Yahoo could have bought Google for ten million and passed and then could have owned Facebook for a billion and screwed that up too. In a Facebook/Yahoo merger (new company called Facebook) do you see Google actually losing ground in search? Could Facebook give it a run for the money? And then you have the biggest group of HUMANS actually putting in their two cents on search results as you say and well... I think Google could lose that battle.
Reply · 6 · · September 15 at 7:43am
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Rob Lammle
Facebook is the people you went to high school with.
Google+ (and Twitter) is the people you wish you went to high school with.

I abandoned Facebook as soon as G+ came out. FB just doesn't offer me anything. I want new ideas and new experiences, which G+ has in spades. I think once people realize that social media is much more than just friends and family, G+ will be a major force.
Reply · 136 · · September 15 at 6:57am

Richard Blaney · Works at Vodafone it
In the meanwhile good luck there with an empty news feed!
Reply · 54 · · September 15 at 7:59am
Vinoth · Top Commenter (signed in using Hotmail)
Dude, you just called in the facebook fantards with your comment - Sheena Allana, Richard Blaney, Yahoowarrior, Shanmuga Subramanian and this new troll from Mashable, by the name salamando_. When they're together they turn into this ultimate creature! I call it, the Facebook Retards.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 8:04am

Colby Brown · Freelance Photographer at Colby Brown Photography
Richard Blaney - Haha..Empty newsfeed? Hilarious.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 8:12am
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Allen Taylor · Northwood University
This article is misleading. It says that PUBLIC posts went down. But anyone who has used Google+ knows that you can make a post that isn't public. You can share it with Circles, which is the whole point behind it and a feature that the other social networks have not been able to provide with any meaningfulness. So... perhaps PUBLIC posts have gone down while LIMITED posts have gone up. That doesn't constitute a decline in usage.
Reply · 80 · · September 15 at 6:27am

James Peter · Co-Founder & CTO at 89n
We posted a survey at the bottom of the article detailing the data. Public results are here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewanalytics?formkey=dGhSNXI4Z3VPNVpyQU1qNFRJZ3NxZ2c6MQ

So far 75% of people have seen less (or no) private sharing than when started using the service.
Reply · 6 · · September 15 at 7:04am

Robin Wauters · Top Commenter · Writer at TechCrunch
I wouldn't call it a misleading article - the stats cover the public post decline, the rest is mostly a question.
Reply · 7 · · September 15 at 7:06am

Chris Kowlessar · Brookdale
Not misleading at all. It's a valid statistic that represents the daily usage decline of Google+, a decline that all G+ members already know about. I haven't touched my account in a month, and neither has anyone else in my circles. Sorry Google.
Reply · 7 · · September 15 at 7:11am
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Chirag Deshpande · Senior Subject Matter Expert at Amdocs
Raise your hand if you went on to check your google+ profile after reading this. ;-)
Reply · 66 · · September 15 at 6:20am

Scott Grisak · Stark State
Ha! I read about this on Google+!
Reply · 43 · · September 15 at 7:33am

Steve McIlree
Scott Grisak Likewise
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 7:46am

Steve Bertolacci · Director of Search Strategies at For Rent Media Solutions
(hand raised)
Reply · 4 · · September 15 at 7:48am
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Paul Morrison · Scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Gauging the success of G+ by using the number of public posts is like counting the number of fish wrapped in newspaper to estimate the drop in New York Times subscriptions. Not even good for a rough estimate. G+ is all about posting to your circles. Scoble posts publicly. Great. Most people do not. The real power of G+ is selective broadcasting.
Reply · 58 · · September 15 at 6:25am

Robin Wauters · Top Commenter · Writer at TechCrunch
Horrible analogy :)
Reply · 10 · · September 15 at 7:17am

Isabel Walcott Draves · Harvard
Anyone who doesn't get what +Paul Morrison just said doesn't get social media. If you think all your contacts want to hear everything you have to say you're truly out of it.
Reply · 16 · · September 15 at 8:21am
bacteromancer (signed in using Yahoo)
Robin Wauters Horrible analogy for an horrible one-sided article :) ...I can smile too yah know
Reply · · September 15 at 8:52am
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Julia Thorne
I use G+ everyday; for me it's very different to Facebook and Twitter (Twitter? Hmmmm...I've logged in about twice since joining G+). On Facebook, I'm mostly connected to personal friends and family, as well as being a bit of a gamer. But Google+ has opened up a whole new world for me - I've found loads of people with similar interests (such as Egyptology, archaeology and photography) who I'd never have found on somewhere like Facebook, and am really starting to make new friends there. It's far more personal than Twitter; you can engage with people on posts far more than in separate, 140-character messages, and I really, really don't miss all the scams and spam that Facebook refuse to do anything to about.

Google+ is what you make of it - if you join up, add a couple of your mates and then expect G+ to spring to life for you, you're going to be very disappointed, but if, like me, you get yourself out there, have a bit of a hunt around for like-minded people, it really will open up a completely new and exciting side to social networking!
Reply · 45 · · September 15 at 7:03am

Lotus Carroll · Writer & photography at Blissfully Domestic Online Magazine
Exactly. This was very well said.
Reply · 7 · · September 15 at 7:44am

Ron Clifford · Newmarket, Ontario
I second that ! (what Lotus said)
Reply · 4 · · September 15 at 7:56am

Jaana Nystrom · Staff Writer at MediaTapper
Yup. What they said!
Reply · 3 · · September 15 at 7:59am
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August Sturm
I use Google+ all day. Facebook is for Narcissism, Google+ is a place for people who want to do things and change the world. :-)
Reply · 45 · · September 15 at 6:52am

Daniel Heisey
That's why I like fb!! Deeebo!
Reply · 6 · · September 15 at 7:19am

Graham J · Top Commenter
That's an odd assertion considering there are far less things you can do on G+.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 8:29am

Sam Spiller
and MySpace is for the pure of heart, but the real diehards use Friendster.
Reply · 11 · · September 15 at 8:46am
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Mike Elgan · CEO at Elgan Media, Inc.
I use it all day, every day. Can't stop!
Reply · 36 · · September 15 at 7:02am

Ben Greenwood · Top Commenter
I've noticed, Mike!
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 8:07am

Mark Del Monte
Your posts are one of the reasons I use it everyday. In my opinion G+ is all about content from the people you want to pay attention to, it has a very low signal to noise ratio.
Reply · 11 · · September 15 at 8:35am

Sharad Gaur · Software Architect at QinetiQ North America
when I open my Firefox default url is Google+....
Reply · 3 · · September 15 at 8:59am
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Gerard McGarry · Owner/Partner at Unreality TV
No. I jumped on and got the obligatory Google+ account, but real-world people I know aren't using it. So, back to Facebook. That, plus I just don't have the time for ANOTHER social networking site right now. Twitter + Facebook is about all I have time for. Plus, I can't understand why no-one else is a bit bothered about giving Google access to another important datastream!
Reply · 35 · · September 15 at 6:19am

Mark Stanley · Salesforce.com, inc.
exactly that
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 6:21am

Joni Johirul · CEO & Founder at Sentroe
This is funny Google + always compared to Facebook and twitter ... some say Google + is a combination of both.... real world people rather use 2 social network then just 1...... lol
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 6:47am

Robin Wauters · Top Commenter · Writer at TechCrunch
Same here.
Reply · · September 15 at 7:06am
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Rob Sandie · Lehigh University
I'm using it just as much as I use google buzz!
Reply · 31 · · September 15 at 6:24am

Michael Andreano · Easton, Pennsylvania
ha ha.. likewise..
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 6:32am

Erica Line
I've been slacking lately... :/
Reply · · September 15 at 8:09am
hobbsannette29147571 (signed in using Yahoo)
I just got a $829.99 iPad2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37" HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for. I use BidsOut.cÓm
Reply · · September 18 at 7:43am

Jason Greene · At a computer near you at Top Secret
I had almost forgotten about Facebook until I was forced to use it to comment on this dumb ass article. I understand that it takes most people a while to understand better technology and some never do, but I usually just ignore those people anyway. If Google+ doesn't gain all those on Facebook and Twitter I sure won't loose any sleep over it.
Reply · 22 · · September 15 at 6:52am

Ryan Lestage
Best reply lol. Google+ is fast better. This article it's typical techcrunch...bunch of anti google apple fanboys
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 7:28am

Graham J · Top Commenter
G+ doesn't do anything FB doesn't already do, and FB does a lot more. Why do you consider that better? (I'm a programmer btw, I fully understand the technologies involved)
Reply · 4 · · September 15 at 8:31am

Sheena Allana · Top Commenter · UC Davis
better technology??? LOLOLOLOL. That makes no sense.
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 9:50am
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Lotus Carroll · Writer & photography at Blissfully Domestic Online Magazine
I've been using Google+ for over two months, consistently. My use hasn't slowed down, but it has become refined. I do post a lot of things publicly, but use the Circles feature for the things that make sense: limited sharing of things I don't think are for everyone, communicating with a small group of people (like email), doing Hangouts with a limited group (an amazing feature that is so fun, btw!), etc. I'd think that over time you'd necessarily see an increased use of Circles for private sharing as users become comfortable with their settings and get their circles sorted out in a meaningful way.

I love the G+ platform immensely for all the things it is (an amazing place to meet NEW people, learn, share, collaborate and engage around a variety of topics) and all the things it is not (a place to be spammed by bots, porn accoun...See More
Reply · 20 · · September 15 at 8:12am

Claire Turner
I totally agree with everything you wrote. In fact you're one of the many cool photographers I "discovered" via G+. I barely check FB more because of all the crap in the feed and I certainly wouldn't have started following half the people I have had FB remained the only option.
Reply · 4 · · September 15 at 9:06am

Sarang Naik · Mumbai, Maharashtra
Frankly speaking, FB feels like a zombie land - apart from a few good friends, there don't seem to be any 'live' people present here. G+ on the other hand feels like a never ending party with everybody dancing on the floor and offering each other food and drinks :P It feels ALIVE! :-D
Reply · 3 · · September 15 at 10:05am

Scott Galinac
Much prefer G+ to Facebook... my routine now is G+.. then Twitter... maybe FB. But.. I'll also second the "public" vs "circle argument". Nearly all of my reading is done via private circles now... and will probably continue this way as people group their "followers" as uch.
Reply · 20 · · September 15 at 6:39am

Sandra Au
G+ first thing every morning. Use SGPlus to post to both G+ and FB. Only go to FB when I see FB feed on G+ stream and want to view friends & family photos and respond back.
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 9:11am

Mark Hunter
Why do we automatically compare Google+ to Facebook, as if it's an either or, like science OR religion...?
Reply · · September 15 at 1:32pm

Elis Diaz
Mark Hunter There can be only one
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 6:58pm
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Randall Beggs · St. Leo University
Google+ is the first Social Media site I open in the morning. The posts are amazing, and the folks are engaging.
Reply · 19 · · September 15 at 6:58am

Tartan Media Productions
They may very well be. But are your FRIENDS using it?
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 1:33pm

Randall Beggs · St. Leo University
Tartan Media Productions Yes, indeed! And I've made friends there that I will keep in my circles no matter the media site.
Reply · · September 15 at 2:16pm

Danu Prayoga · Top Commenter · Jakarta, Indonesia
Tartan Media Productions Somehow, my friends doesn't post Interesting stuff, so I'd better read posts on G+ and Twitter. Facebook is still good for communication though, since almost everyone is there.
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 2:19pm

Sam Castillo
I use it every day, more than I use facebook certainly. It isn't a fair comparison to compare it to facebook, they have two different purposes. Facebook is for friends and family, g+ is for interesting discussions with fascinating people.
Reply · 14 · · September 15 at 7:03am

Adam Branston
See, if it had come before Twitter, I might take your point, but tbh other than your posts, mine is just a graveyard. I don't need another Twitter, I've already got Twitter.
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 7:40am

Sheena Allana · Top Commenter · UC Davis
I'm sorry you don't find your friends and family fascinating. Maybe it's time to get some new friends.
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 10:00am

Sam Castillo
Adam Branston You're looking at it wrong. Spend some time finding interesting people, they then go out and find interesting stuff for you to read, comment on the stuff that interests you and find more interesting people through the conversations that follow. G+ works so much better than twitter in this respect. You can't have a conversation in twitter, you certainly can't follow someone elses. Everyone on my facebook is someone I know outside of it, I haven't made a single friend on it, I've never had an indepth conversation on twitter, or for that matter found new friends (connections really) though I know some people have. G+ does both side really, really well, I know lots of new and engaging people through g+, I'm very glad I put the effort in, and still do because it is massively rewarded.

Plus the interface is tons better than both fb and twitter.
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 12:31pm
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Dustin McGrew
So... what's the url to Google+? I forgot already.
Reply · 13 · · September 15 at 6:12am

Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. · University of Arkansas
plus.google.com
Reply · · September 15 at 7:07am

Nguyen Tan Dat · Phổ Thông Năng Khiếu - High school for the Gifted
Just look at the black menu bar when you Google
Reply · 5 · · September 15 at 7:11am

Victor Caballero · Top Commenter · Pasadena, California
ha. do need an invite?
Reply · · September 15 at 7:24am
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Jeff Clavier · Managing Partner at SoftTech VC
On Google+ every day, and like Thomas Hawk, seeing a great engagement around posts. I love Plus for the ability to post longer pieces, edit them, etc. Just need to integrate it in Seesmic and it will be perfect.
Reply · 11 · · September 15 at 7:08am

Andrey Tochilin · Director of Marketing at 500px
I've been looking for service like this for the last couple of years. Using it every day. Love it!
Reply · 11 · · September 15 at 6:57am

Aaron Viljoen · Adelaide, South Australia
Facebook ha! that's sooooo 2010.. Use G+ everyday, love it.
Reply · 9 · · September 15 at 6:57am

Sheena Allana · Top Commenter · UC Davis
What did you use for the first half of 2011? :P
Reply · 2 · · September 15 at 9:55am

Phil Bowyer · Founder & Chief Strategist at Phibble
Sheena Allana Twitter
Reply · 1 · · September 15 at 1:36pm

Damien Walker
Your article is based on dodgy data. Use of ManageFilter is hardly an indicator of the activity level in the whole G+ community. Sure, the graph shows a clear trend down, but it's a largely useless metric. I post daily, sometimes several times and the level of interaction and engagement has continued to grow since I joined in July. G+ rocks!
Reply · 8 · · September 15 at 6:57am

Amit Lavi · Top Commenter · Blogger at Amit Lavi - Social Media Observer
I sometimes try to check what's going on there but it's nothing. Only marketers which makes it feel like Twitter mostly. I think Google has made a big mistake by not releasing updates and creating interest on a weekly basis.
Reply · 8 · · September 15 at 6:42am

Amir Even-tov · Top Commenter · Netanya Academic College
פעם ראשונה נפלו בגלל הבאז, פעם שנייה נפלו למרות הבאז
Reply · · September 15 at 6:44am

Julian Bond · CTO at Ecademy
Then you're not following the right people
Reply · 7 · · September 15 at 6:48am

Steve S Davis
I had some spam accounts follow me and as soon as I realized they were garbage I blocked them and reported the spam.
Reply · · September 15 at 7:05am
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Phillip Laycock · Indiana
Still using it but I find that certain people seem to get all of the +1's, comments and followers. So, I am more apt to join those discussions than start one of my own as it garners less attention. I often like to make posts on the political and economic issues in this country. It seems however that there are not many that wish to discuss more than technology and photography on G+. Perhaps I need to discuss a topic with a 'y' at the end.

By the way, I find it interesting that I can only comment on this article using my FB profile. Perhaps if TechCrunch and others would step up their efforts to allow integration with other social streams we could avoid a social monopoly. Besides, anyone that has used Google+ will tell you that it integrates the best of the two powerhouses of the day, FB and Twitter. So, get on board and let there be competition rather than trying to quash it before it has time to get legs with articles such as this. I intentionally clicked off the Post to Facebook option. I have nothing against FB but I want competition as it brings choice and control back to the users.
Reply · 7 · · September 15 at 7:06am

Ardith Goodwin
I agree. The use of the FB social plug in here shows bias, which negates any impact of validity in the research for me.
Reply · 4 · · September 15 at 7:23am

Phillip Laycock · Indiana
Ardith Goodwin How did you get that G+ in your picture by the way?
Reply · · September 15 at 1:52pm

Ardith Goodwin
Phillip Laycock I used this site: http://turhan.me/+me/
Reply · · September 15 at 1:59pm