Google Pages are being rolled at as I type this. Google Pages are really like a combination of Google Places (Maps) and Facebook Pages. They are designed to allow people to set up causes, business profiles, fan areas etc.
Pages will be created within Google+, which is Google’s new social media and social networking site. The options that I am currently aware of include (my thoughts on these added in the brackets):
- Local Business of Place (maybe location data in Google profiles will link to Pages).
- Product of Brand (probably ideal for digital media, websites, blogs etc. with no street address).
- Company, Institution or Organisation (although maybe this is good for websites?).
- Arts, Entertainment or Sports (I guess fanzines will go here along with sporting personalities and music pages.
- Other (no idea, anything else I guess).
In Google’s words, creating a page brings you closer to your customers, fans and followers on Google+. It really makes it sound exactly the same as Facebook Pages. However, will it really be as good?
One of the main benefits of Facebook Pages is that it allows you to set up a business page without it being linked in any way to your personal profile. For example, I have a page for Essex Portal where I post site updates and details of events in Essex, but visitors to that page do not see a link to my personal profile so I do not get pestered and spammed by random Essex based business who want to get me to like all their stuff.
At the moment I have no idea if Google Pages will keep your personal Google Profile separate from your Page. I get the impression that Google is very much a supporter of free but open and transparent communication, meaning that the creators of Pages will be publicly broadcast.
“A number of pages are already available (see below), but any organization will soon be able to join the community at plus.google.com/pages/create.”
Features of Google Pages
Some features that we do know are in the pipeline are:
- Hangouts – Google Hangouts are a way to quickly set up video conferencing with a group of people. 10 people can currently be active in the conference in one go but more can listen in. They are by invite only. They will provide a great way for communities and clubs to talk online and could eventually replace Skype.
- Circles for Pages – Pages will have Circles too, so a social group could have different circles for management and other sections and only share the information with specific people.
- Google +1 buttons for Pages – Seems that Google Pages will have +1 buttons so that you can get people to shares your Google Page easily.
Google Pages
Google have explained more about their Google Pages on their blog: Google+ Pages: connect with all the things you care about.
The Muppets Google+ Hangout!
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy invite you to chat with them in a Hangout!
(it won’t help you to understand Google Pages!)
