Google Friend Connect
Google recently announced a new service that will motivate any website owner into getting more involved in the social media realm. Google Friend Connect was made to socialize the internet for every-day users. Users will be able to add profile information, videos, photos and other great “widgets” on any website that uses their service. Even better, the website owner doesn’t even need to know programming since Google will have a wizard type set up to install this new service on to any website.
Why is this a big deal? In my opinion, this opens the playing field for the average blog site and even though we will never be competing directly with the MySpaces and Facebooks of the world, it at least gives us the chance to provide social networking and the fun that goes with it to our viewers.
According to e-Week, “the key to Friend Connect is ease of use. Google has built a wizard-like page where a Webmaster can enter the name of his or her site, choose applications from a Google application gallery, and cut and paste pieces of code right into the site.”
Once Google Friend Connect is launched to the masses, there will be more and more widgets available that will allow you, the viewer, to bring your friends with you on any website you want. Social networking will definitely be altered once this service launches, in my opinion.
What are your thoughts? If you own a blog/website, do you have interest in using this service? If so, why? Please leave a comment below!
If you’d like Google’s video introduction of their new service, Friend Connect, please click on the video below:
Tags: Friend Connect, Google, new, Social Media, Social Networking
May 15th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
This is pretty cool. Everything is getting intertwined with social media. So Jeff, when are you going to just break out and start a social media consulting firm? Let me know
May 16th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Please – as soon as someone pays me for it!
May 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I found it odd that one of the questions on the application asks how the site-owner intends to use the service. I'd really have to see the software and play around with it a bit before knowing exactly what I intend to do with it. Also, the application form requires one specific url to be submitted as "the site" you intend to use the software with. I manage a number of sites, and until I become familiar with the software, I have no idea which if any or all the services would be best-suited for. I don't like having to pick just one domain when filling out these sorts of applications.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:05 am
I think we may try it just because I don't really understand what it brings to the table. I can see that it's good for google, and I love google, but until I see it in action, I'm just not sure. If you think about the value of the people's attention when they're reading your blog, it's massive. Google already knows a lot about us because of search. This supplies them with a lot more information. I think Google should pay Web site owners to install Friend Connect. Otherwise, installing it is like making a huge donation to Google because they'll own your memberships.