No Brands Allowed

Our resident Google+ fan, Lori Lewis, is back with an update about this new social media channel.  For those of you dabbling, it's a must-read: 

When Google+ launched a few weeks ago, the company’s group product manager, Christian Oestlien, pointed out that they haven’t created Google+ pages for businesses -- just yet:

“For now we are actively discouraging businesses to adopt profiles, but we have heard the feedback and will obviously do what we can down the line to build optimal experiences for all. This is just the beginning of a very long journey towards making Google more social.”

Translation: If we catch you creating a business profile on Google+, we will suspend your account.

It’s been happening sporadically and yesterday AllAccess.com was a high-profile victim.  All Access created its page just 5 days into the launch of Google+, way ahead of most brands.

They began building a new community, something beyond what you experience on Twitter and Facebook with All Access.  Then yesterday, this note:

When you go to the All Access Google+ page right now, you see this:

This is unfortunate for All Access and for many of you and your brands.  I have to give Joel and his group credit for stepping out here with Google+.  But clearly, Google is thinking individuals – not brands.

So here’s a suggestion for all you radio stations itching to get going on Google+: focus on establishing your personalities on this site.  Identify one or more key shows or DJs, and look for ways to create new online appointments and habits with the audience, using features such as “Hangouts” and “Huddle.”

Create unique experiences on Google+.  Don’t regurgitate what you’re already doing on Facebook and Twitter.  Find new opportunities, explore, and take advantage of Google+’s unique features.

But most importantly, hold off on creating station Google+ pages.  The last thing you want is to amass a ton of folks in your “Circles” and not have access to them until Google officially opens this up to brands.

(As of yesterday, you could put your name down to be part of the beta-testing of brands on Google+ but that link is no longer working, which may mean they have already decided on which brands will now be part of the beta process.)

For those who currently have a profile page, if you don’t already know of this tool – you can create a vanity URL for your page here.

For more on Google+, click here.

If you would like an invite to Google+, email me or leave your email in the comments section below with comments and questions.  We all knew that Facebook wouldn’t be the only social network of merit.  Now Google has something interesting going, but for brands, this may be a bit of a speed bump.

We’ll keep an eye on Google+ for you, and update as necessary.  Stay cool and have a great weekend. 

Comments

[TheKenEvans]

Another great blog. Cool info and executable items!

If you have any more invites could you send one my way? kevans1031 (at) gmail dot com. Thanks!

[Lorilewis]

Hi Ken! The invite has been sent. Looking forward to seeing you on G+. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot. -Lori

[RadioByrne]

Awesome post, and great advice about creating a personality profile that is unique from what's out there.

My email is chrisbyrne@hotmail.ca if you still have invites left. Thanks Lori

[Lorilewis]

Thank you Chris and will get the invite out now. Looking forward to seeing you on Google Plus. :)

[Webimax SEO]

I think you made the key distinction for businesses that are interested in getting involved in Google Plus. Chances are if you're looking in to it, you're already on Facebook and Twitter, so don't make this a third social platform to distribute the same message. Use different personalities, try different strategies, and take advantage of the new features. Make your Google Plus page a separate destination for you, not just a different place for people to get the same information.