Google Buzz is only 5 days old and the industry is ablaze with questions. What’s its relevancy? Is this Friendfeed 2.0? Will this take over Twitter and Facebook?
It’s too early to tell which way the pendulum will swing but the general consensus is, it’s JUST ANOTHER social network.
I disagree with the general consensus and here’s why;
1. Google Caffeine – Google is rolling out its turbo infused search engine at an undisclosed time in the future. This search engine is not only twice as fast as the current Google Search but it has an important feature no other search engines do – Social Media Integration.
Along with typical links brought up in a Google Search, Google Caffeine searches include links to public status updates and relevant social media from Facebook, Twitter and now Buzz.
It is my personal speculation that Google Buzz interaction will be the primary social aspect tied to Google Caffeine’s searches.
This could create not only massive implications for Search Engine Optimization in Google Search but it also gives many late adopters who haven’t yet switched to Gmail the incentive to do so.
Read Mashable’s article to learn more about Google Caffeine.
2. Accessibility – Google Buzz is still learning how to walk, the privacy concerns are being addressed and new features are being added. In these early days there will be a lot of noise but as the noise dies down; its value will become clear.
I believe accessibility, though a simple concept may be what cements Buzz’s value. The ability to socialize through the most intuitive email client not only adds value to your daily blahzay email correspondence but also adds value to Google’s entire product suite.
3. Google Wave – Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure of test driving Google Wave but I hear the learning curve is steep and adoption may not be an easy road. Buzz seems to create a fluid path of utility to Google Wave.
4. Mobile vs. Mac/PC – As laptops continue to be the primary tool for conducting professional work, the Mac/PC experience will remain very different from the mobile experience. Perhaps this is what may save social networking sites? Bite sized information and sharing with close friends is easily facilitated by the mobile experience.
As it stands, should I be interrupted by a Twitter or Facebook alert while working. First, I must check my email to determine its importance, then log into their website or third-party app to interact. This creates an added step and frankly a pain in ass for utilization. Buzz’s advantage in the real-time market is simple, there is no additional step. If I’m working, I’m usually logged into my Gmail account from there I’m free to click and follow a person or a conversation via Buzz. This is a deceptively simple but dire benefit.
5. Selectivity – While Twitter’s popularity contest of click and follows led to opening up your network and connecting with others you never would have, Buzz is a game of “who do I really want to hear from?” Because no one wants spam in their mailbox, you automatically screen for noise and spam.
Chris Penn sums it up best here .
Welcome to World 2.0, I believe Buzz is Google’s next step in creating a new web experience. It will be about connecting with people you want to hear from and building relationships by socializing on the web. In our busy “there isn’t enough time in the day” lives, social commentary in our inbox might seem like a waste of time but we forget that connecting with others is integral to the core of human society.
It’s still very early in the game but as a proponent of strategic innovation, I’m watching this one closely.
PS: Dear Google, if you could truncate Buzz streams so I only receive new Buzz’s in my inbox instead of all the responses within a stream that would be super! Thanks!
