Google + (Plus) Facebook – (Minus)

Google has opened up its Google Plus -  or Facebook rival – Social Network to everyone after successfully testing it for the last three months.

The Social Network was previously only available by invitation.

It will be interesting to see how it performs against Facebook.

Facebook is by far the most successful  online social network with an estimated user base of 750 million.

Facebook is just about to release some new features.  It looks like an interesting battle is ahead.

At Scoosh we like the potential of ‘hangouts’, ‘broadcasting’ and how Google+ seems more organised than Facebook, but the huge number of users that Facebook has may give it the momentum to remain top dog.  How many people are willing to change a Social Network?  Time will tell.

It may also be a smart move by Google to present a serious rival at a time when Facebook has still not gone to IPO.

What will the potential share price be if there is a rival knocking on the door, with the bank balance of Google?  The last thing Google will want to see is a successful IPO giving Facebook  deep pockets. If Google+ takes off there will be downward pressure on the initial Facebook share price offering.

How will this affect your business?  Well, that still remains simple.  We have been informing clients that you need to use social media. It is where your customers are.

The products may change; where MySpace, Friends Reunited, Bebo, Friendster and others fell away -  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn took over.  It looks like Google+ is going to make the big three, a big four.