Google has updated its social network Google+ with a new tool letting businesses and brands create their own profile pages to interact with customers. The move is similar to services offered by rivals Facebook and Twitter, and also puts Google+ in competition with leading business social network LinkedIn. The free tool, called Google + Pages, […]
Google has updated its social network Google+ with a new tool letting businesses and brands create their own profile pages to interact with customers. The move is similar to services offered by rivals Facebook and Twitter, and also puts Google+ in competition with leading business social network LinkedIn. The free tool, called Google + Pages, has attracted a number of high profile brands at launch, including Burberry, Pepsi, Barcelona football club, Angry Birds, O2, Save the Children, Mumsnet and the Muppets.
“Super excited we are launching +pages today,” posted Google CEO and co-founder Larry Page on his own Plus profile. “Now everyone’s favorite brands — companies, not for profits — can get their page on Google+.”
Brands can be found by using another, related new feature, Direct Connect, which involves searching Google plus for a brand name with a “+” directly in front of it, like “+Google,” for Google’s own brand Plus page.
“So far Google+ has focused on connecting people with other people,” wrote Google SVP of engineering Vic Gundotra in a blog post announcing the news on Monday. “But we want to make sure you can build relationships with all the things you care about — from local businesses to global brands — so today we’re rolling out Google+ Pages worldwide.”
Google says the service offers more than a ‘shop window’.
It says organisations can benefit from adding a “+” link to one of the adverts listed on the firm’s results or to another marketing campaign.
The page owners can then monitor how many people are clicking through to their Google+ page and where they clicked from.
However, Google says it will not pass on individual IP addresses or any other personal data.
Organisations will be able to use the site’s Circles facility to match different information to different groups. They can also set up video chats with up to nine other users using the network’s Hangouts service.
Google says more than 40 million people have already opened an account with its network
“Facebook still has more than 10 times the number of users,” said Ian Maude, head of internet at Enders Analysis.
“Google+ is growing very quickly. However, there is an awful long way for it to go before it becomes a major threat to Mark Zuckerberg’s business.”
View a video detailing the launch below:
