Yep….I know I constantly harp on about Google and what they’re up to but this week they’ve announced plans which could affect every single one of us who are addicted to social networking sites. And, let’s face it, who isn’t?!

The world’s biggest search engine have announced plans to bring social media aspects to the already hugely successful Gmail service. Dubbed Google Buzz it allows users to quickly share messages, web links and photos with other users directly within Gmail. It’s designed to rival other networking platforms including Facebook and Twitter but can it really pose a threat?

Possibly. Although Facebook remains highly popular with 2 million users worldwide, it seems many are starting to get disillusioned with the whole concept. Gone are the days when it was simply a great tool to keep in contact with friends and colleagues. Now you’re more likely to be invited to play “Farmville” or throw a snowball at someone than actually be involved in a real conversation.

Facebook seems to have lost its roots and, while I agree it’s a great platform for game designers to get their work into the social spectrum, I think it’s full of far too rubbish which is ultimately slowing the system down. More and more frequently you receive the “Oops…” message even when attempting to do the simplest thing.

If there are other Facebook users who feel the same as myself, Google Buzz could be arriving at just the right time. If it can keep the service “clean”, quick and simple there’s a chance it could take Facebook’s users who are already at their wit’s ends with the formerly great platform.

Although I feel there’s a chance Google could dent the market, there are many who feel that Google have left it too late and must now play constant catch-up to the forerunners already in the market. Only time will tell if Google’s latest foray into the social media world will prove to be a worthwhile investment or if, like it’s last attempt, it will just prove to be a big waste of both time and money.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites