For the just-introduced Google Buzz the expression “early days” is particularly apt.
I’m still digesting Google Wave. So, for me, at present there’s already plenty on my Google menu of new applications/functions.
From what I can tell, Google Buzz is a direct competitor to Twitter with a little of FriendFeed thrown in for good measure.
For now the world of Google Buzz appears more restrictive than Twitter in terms of who you are able to easily “meet” online. Google Buzz seems more focused on who you already know. In other words, who you already email through your Gmail account and who you are already connected to on other social media sites.
A person’s Google profile seems key to what is and is not imported into your Google Buzz account. (If you want to see what a Google profile looks like, check out my public Google profile.)
Bottom line? I can envision the time 5-7years from now when Google will have swallowed the entire social networking world. After all, Google has already gobbled up the mammoth YouTube.
And now Google appears to have its jaws set on eating Twitter, followed by whatever, followed by whatever.
Is this good for those of us who use social media site for marketing? One monster application for all?
I remember the economics class I took many moons ago at Michigan State University taught by Walter Adams. I learned that monopolies are not a good thing.
Thus I’m left with the question: When Google has a monopoly on social media sites, will we be living in the belly of the whale?
P.S. Here’s a link to the BusinessInsider.com post “WARNING: Google Buzz Has a Huge Privacy Flaw”
© 2010 Miller Mosaic, LLC
Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller on Twitter) has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is an Internet business consultant whose company’s website is www.MillerMosaicPowerMarketing.com. If you liked this article, you’ll love her FREE report on “Power Marketing’s Top 3 Internet Marketing Tips” – grab your report now at www.millermosaicllc.com/free-report
Comments
Frankly speaking, Google is great as a search engine, but I'd rather Google remain Google and Twitter do its job and people go to Facebook for what each one does.
I have a fear that one day, we become dependent on Google for lots of what we need online. Then, it would decide if we could breathe and how we should breathe. I hate to see such a day.
Rahman --
You said this so well -- that's what I'm afraid of. I do think it would be a mistake to let Google elbow everyone else out of the way and totally take over the social networking space.
Phyllis
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