As previously mentioned, Google recently employed several social media marketing experts to lead their social media team. As of today, Google publicly announced on their official blog about their new product, Google Buzz.
Google Buzz is their latest attempt at social media, and will be made available via Gmail and through a mobile browser. Although Google’s previous social media attempts (Orkut and Google Friend Connect) haven’t really taken off, some have said that Buzz may be a threat to Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare.
Gmail Buzz
Over the next couple of days, Gmail users will see the Buzz option underneath the Inbox link. This option will allow you to see Buzz posts or updates from users you email and chat with. Just like Facebook, photos and videos can be shared with your contacts or the rest of the world within the Buzz interface. Buzz can also include other updates from sites such as Twitter, Picasa, and Flickr.
Another feature about Buzz is that each particular post or item you share will have its own unique URL, and all posts can be set as public or private. Thus, it can be shared with users who may or may not have Buzz. And just like the Facebook updates, users can reply and add comments and it will appear in the inbox as a live conversation.
Mobile Buzz
Google Buzz for your mobile allows you to update your status and keep in touch with your friends while away from the computer. The mobile application also identifies local spots and allows you to read the “buzz” about these particular places.
Google has actually made Buzz available from several access points.
· Buzz.google.com – Offers options such as more information on location, ability to post and read updates from friends or people around you, and updates about a specific nearby location. You can also attached photos to your buzz location.
· Google Maps – “Buzz Layer” allows users to read and post updates.
· Google.com – A slimmer version of Buzz.Google that displays a text box.
· Voice shortcut – Users can update their location simply by just speaking it via Google App/Widget.
Google Buzz and other social media networking sites have adopted features that can be seen on Foursquare, a location social media outlet. However, Foursquare has the advantage over Buzz because it has a game element that allows a person to become “mayor” if they continuously “check-in” at a particular place more times than any other user.
One of the concerns about the inclusion of Google Buzz within Gmail is that the feature will interfere with work. In fact, there are many users that use Gmail as their primary and for work. Hopefully users will have the option to opt out of Buzz if it becomes too much of a social distraction.
What do you think? Do you believe that Google Buzz may become more wildly popular than Facebook and Twitter over time? Or will only a small percentage, a dedicated group, adopt the application?
Written by Chris C.