6 Reasons Why I Like Google+

After using Google+ for a few weeks, I decided to share some of the reasons I like it so much, and hope that it will be an attempt at social networking by Google that will stick around for the long haul.

1. No automated updates.

Thus far, you can’t feed your Twitter, Facebook, or other updates into your Google+ stream. This means that if you see an update by someone on Google+, they actually made it on the network itself. Less noise, less spam.

2. Forced organization from the start.

I love the circles! You could just create one generic circle to throw everyone into, but I’d bet that since you have a few different default circles to start with, it gave you the idea to create better circles for friend categorization. There’s nothing like selecting my blogging circle for just my blogging friends’ updates or my photography circle for theirs.

And even better? I can send updates to one circle or the other, multiple circles, or just make them public. It’s genius!

3. Block tagging by specific people without unfriending them.

Unfortunately, photo tagging has already begun. In the same way that people tag photos on Facebook just to get your attention even if you’re not in the photo, so people do on Google+.

But here’s the cool part. If you go to that photo, you can remove yourself from the tag (just like Facebook). But after you do so, at the top, it will ask you if you want to block the person who tagged you in this photo from being able to tag you again. So if you have a tag-crazy friend who you like, but don’t want to be tagged by anymore, now you have the solution!

4. You’re always reminded of notifications.

If you’re logged into your Google account, anytime you’re checking your Gmail or using Google search, you’ll see your notifications on people adding you to their circles, commenting or +1ing your posts, resharing, and so forth. So you don’t have to actually go to Google+ to see if anything new is going on.

5. You can find more people to follow and see their stats.

Google+ Statistics has a huge list of people sorted based on their following or followers. It also includes a tidbit of information about them based on the info they added for their employer. (Hint: If you haven’t listed your employer, or don’t have one to list, add yourself as blogger or founder of your blog. This will show up under your name on this list which will make it easier for people to identify you.

6. The Android App.

If you have an Android, then definitely get the Google+ app. It’s better (in my opinion) than the one for Facebook, especially when it comes to sharing your mobile photos with your network.

Do you like Google+?

Now it’s your turn – how do you like the Google+ network?

And if you’re just getting started, don’t miss my how to get started with Google+ guide on Social Media Examiner!