Hot Google+ Insider's Guide Posts
News: Google+ Hosts First Hangout on Air with will.i.am
One of the most exciting new features announced by Google+ was the ability to broadcast hangouts live via YouTube, which was recently demonstrated with the very first Google+ Hangout On Air with +will.i.am of the Black Eyes Peas.
News: Google Adds +1 Button to AdSense for Content & Mobile Content
I received an email today, informing me that Google would be adding the +1 button to Google AdSense ads. Google's Inside AdSense blog explains the details further. You will be able to see that your friend has +1'd the ad, along with any of your other contacts. The recommendations will be used to create more relevance for you, as the user.
News: Skype Introduces GroupMe - Similar to Google+ Mobile Features?
On the same day that Google+ introduced mobile hangouts to the world, I received an email from Skype introducing GroupMe, which sounds suspiciously similar to Google+'s messaging feature on mobile. GroupMe allows you to do group messaging, have one-on-one conversations with your contacts, and also ask "Questions", which is currently in beta. These new features are all supported in Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7.
News: Hangout on Your Mobile Phone with Google+ & More
It may not seem like it, but it's been less than 90 days since Google+ was introduced to the world. Since then, we've seen many great features that have made Google+ one of the most attractive social networks around. Today, we've received even better news: major improvements and feature updates that are truly innovative.
News: What Social Network Should You Use? Use the Social Network Decision Tree!
+Guy Kawasaki is someone you should definitely circle on Google+ if you want to keep up with the social media world. He's always got interesting links, and he posts multiple times a day (you may want to drop him into a noisy people circle). He created this great graphic to help you decide which social network to choose: Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
News: 10 More Amazing Female Photographers to Follow on Google+
I was going to update the first list of 15 Brilliant Google+ Female Photographers to Circle, but then I kept coming across so many amazing women that I decided to create another post highlighting their work. I received many great suggestions from +Kelli Seeger Kim (who takes some beautiful pictures herself), +Suzanne Haggerty, Google+ Photos Community Manager +Brian Rose, and many others.
News: Google+ Pro Tips Weekly Round Up: Google Integration
This week has been pretty exciting for both Facebook and Google. Facebook announced a slew of features that seem on the surface to copy Google+. For Google+ users, a lot of improvements, updates and features were implemented, and they're seeing a lot more overall integration with their Google account.
News: The Google+ API Has Finally Launched with Read-Only Public Data
Google+ launched their API for public data today. For now it provides read-only access to public data in the form of People & Activities. Here are some links to get you started:
Social Network Wars, Part 2: Google+ vs Facebook
As Google+ hums along, releasing new updates and unveiling new features every few days, Facebook seems to be in panic mode. Every week, they've been revealing new features that seem suspiciously similar to Google+.
News: 15 Brilliant Google+ Female Photographers to Circle
In a previous article where I suggested 104 photographers to follow on Google+, I received a lot of criticism because over 90% of the listed photographers were men. While women are currently not a majority on Google+, they are a definite presence, and they are active. Today, I highlight the best female photographers I've found on Google+ so far. This time I'm taking a slightly different approach. Since the best way to get to know photographers is through their work, I've included one photo fo...
News: Do Cats & Boobs Belong on Google+?
While using Google+, it's been apparent that there are two types of posters. There are the people who post thoughtful, serious posts about everything from tech to dealing with cancer. And then there are the meme propagators, the people who decide to rick roll others (ahem, +Bryan Crow), and constantly put up animated gifs. Sometimes they are the same people, and this is where it gets a little controversial.
News: 10 Chrome Extensions to Jumpstart Your Google+ Wishlist
Are you finding that the Google+ features you've been waiting for are still not rolling out quickly enough for you? Although we've provided many solutions to Google+ issues with different Chrome extensions, it still seems like it's not enough. Now that we've been using Google+ for almost two months, our priorities have changed, and we're finding that we want and need different extensions to make Google+ work better. From filtering to circles, these Google+ Chrome extensions will solve many of...
News: My Pics from the Google+ Photowalk in Venice Beach
As with +Kimberly Lau, I also had the chance to meet up with all of the Googles and Googlers for the Photowalk in Venice beach on September 1st. I'm still getting used to the idea of another social network, but hanging out with a large group of pro and amateur photographers helped me to jump right into Google+, where I made an album of all the pics I took that day. Even though I had my DSLR on me, I was a little intimidated by the others just as much as Kim with her Samsung Infuse smartphone,...
News: Google+ Venice Skate Park Photo Walk
The Google+ Venice Skate Park photo walk was a lot of fun. We got to hang out with +Brian Rose, +Dave Cohen, +Vincent Mo, and many other Googlers and photographers, taking pictures, learning all about Venice and its colorful history.
News: Google+ Pro Tips Weekly Round Up: Google+ Community Projects Take Off
This week seems to have gone by in a flash. Maybe it was the three day weekend, but I don't think it accounts for the flurry of activity I've been seeing on Google+. Updates, debates, and new initiatives are unfolding every day, and the best part is that most of them are coming from outside of Google. People love Google+ so much that they want to evangelize to others about it. What more could Google+ ask for?
News: Cooking on Google+ with the Social Skillet: Interview with Eric McKee
On Google+, one of the very first creative projects using the popular hangout feature revolved around cooking. Foodies +Lee Allison and +Eric McKee decided to start their own "G+ Cooking School", which has now expanded into the Social Skillet. Although neither have formal training, they're both quite accomplished cooks and skilled instructors. Using hangouts, they've taught their students how to create dishes like margherita pizzas and chicken marsala.
News: Google+ Ignites Controversy with Suggested Users List
You wouldn't think that something so simple as a "suggested users" list would create so much controversy, but Google+ seemed to have accidentally ignited a firestorm when they introduced a new feature over the weekend: the "Suggested People to Follow" list now appears when a new user joins Google+.
News: Social Media Buttons – Solution For Inadvertent Data Transmission
More and more websites implementing "like buttons" from Facebook, Google and Twitter. However, these buttons transmitting data to the operator of their network platforms already when the page loads – so completely without users approval.
News: Google+ Pro Tips Weekly Round Up: Google Adds Google+ Extensions
This week, Google held back on introducing a slew of new Google+ features, and introduced new Chrome extensions instead. The new additions won't replace of your favorite Chrome extensions, but they are very useful, and elegant.
News: G+Me Makes Google+ (Almost) Perfect: An Interview with Huy Zing
G+Me is one of our favorite Chrome extensions here at Google+ Insider's Guide. We love it because it's one of the most comprehensive extensions out there. It attempts to address the "noisy streams" issue, with list mode, and collapsible posts and comments. The creator, +Huy Zing, is very responsive to feedback, and he's been quick to address any issues that arise, including privacy concerns. He's even created a G+Me (Paranoid Edition) extension, for the extra careful Google+ user. And if you ...
How To: Deal With Annoying People on Google+ & Facebook
Both Google+ and Facebook are competing for your time and space, and your commitment to one social network. To make their spaces more attractive to you, they've both made it easier for you to deal with people you don't like or don't care for.
How To: How Businesses Can Prepare for Google+
WonderHowTo welcomes guest contributor, +Ryan Crowe - formerly the man behind GPlusTips. Crowe will be providing tips and tricks on how to use Google+ in interesting and innovative ways, and the self-proclaimed Google+ User Experience Enthusiast is nearly ready to launch a website examining social interaction on Google+ called SocioloG+.
Google+ Pro Tips Round Up: Week 8
It's been an eventful week for Google+. Facebook decided to up its game and start rolling out several major updates intended to address privacy concerns. We got a glimpse into the future of Google+ via an insightful discussion between +Bradley Horowitz and +Tim O'Reilly. And Google decided to integrate the +1 button more fully with Google+ by allowing users to share directly from the +1 button. That's not all, though—scroll down for more news & updates that occurred in the past week.
News: Psychologists & Neuroscientists on Google+
If you're a psychologist or neuroscientist who's using Google+, you should add yourself to this list. Likewise, if you know a brilliant psychologist or neuroscientist on Google+, you should add them to this list. Don't forget to add what they specialize in.
How To: Stop "Liking" and Start Google +1ing
The Google +1 button isn't as ubiquitous as the Facebook Like button, but it's getting there. Google's working hard on improving its functionality, and recently we've seen some innovative features added. The +1 button now appears on over one million sites, and you can do more with it than you could initially.
News: Google's Bradley Horowitz Discusses State of Google+ with Tim O'Reilly
Yesterday, Google's VP of Product Management, +Bradley Horowitz, sat down with founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, +Tim O'Reilly, to discuss Google+, its future, and where it's headed. You can watch the hour-long video here: I wasn't able to find a transcript for this video, but O'Reilly has helpfully rounded up some of the more interesting points.
How To: Subscribe to Google+ Users with Google Reader
If you're like me, you don't do a lot of web browsing anymore. I subscribe to my favorite blogs' feeds and read them via Google Reader. It's one of my favorite Google products, for a lot of reasons. I can keep up with most of my web activities in one tab, and follow along with my favorite blogs, Flickr photos, and Twitter. I can share instantly with people who follow me, and see what other people have shared with me. I hope that Google+ will integrate well with Google Reader, because it alrea...
News: Facebook Takes Cues From Google+ and Adds Better Privacy Controls
After the launch of Google+ and its ensuing attendant fanfare and rave reviews, Facebook seemed to undergo an identity crisis. On July 6th, Facebook failed to make waves with its "awesome" announcement - the new group chat and video chat features felt lame in comparison to the Google+ hangout and huddle features. Facebook also faced ongoing criticism for its perceived lack of privacy controls. Over on Quora, workers confirmed a lockdown of sorts at Facebook, for employees to work harder on fe...
How To: Add Google+ to Your Mac's Menubar
These days, I keep multiple browsers open so I can keep track of all my work and personal items. As a staff member of WonderHowTo, a lot of my work is done through our Google Account, which is separate from my personal Google Account.
News: Google+ Knitting Request
Google+ Profiles Product Manager +Frances Haugen is working on a simple roll brim baby hat inspired by the Google +1 button. It looks like it'll be very cute. She's looking for advice on what to knit the hat out of, and whether she should do it differently. Check out the pattern below:
How To: Make the Most Out of Your Google+ Profile
Over the weekend, Google made several updates to the Google+ profile. Here's how to make the most out of old and new features to make your profile page shine.
News: The Google+ Rap from Zach Katz
Ok, serious question here: is +Zach Katz even old enough to be on Google+? This rap tells you all you need to know about Google+, and also tells us that...well, not a lot of people actually know what Google+ is.
Google+ Pro Tips Round Up: Week 7
This week, we saw the implementation of collapsed comments, Google+ games were rolled out to everyone, and yesterday, there were several more announcements of enhanced features and tweaks.
News: 7 Talented Web Comic Artists to Follow on Google+
The visual beauty of images on Google+ means that it's not just a great place for photographers to shine, but also serves as a befitting promotional space for web comic artists. Below, 7 talented individuals who have utilized the Google+ platform.
News: 30 Days With Google+
An interesting take on Google+. Follow along as PC World editor Tony Bradley uses Google+ for 30 days, and read about his (mis)adventures. I really, really wish that the PC World's articles were less cluttered, though. It was really difficult to find the first post.
News: Vidyo - The Company Behind G+ Hangouts - Talks Tech
Ofer Shapiro, Vidyo's CEO talks with Robert Scobleizer and shows of their new telepresence architecture that scales video quality with each individuals connection. The result is a very high quality stream that works across several platforms: Mac, PC, Linux, iPhone, & iPad.
How To: The Official Google+ Insider's Guide Index
Welcome to the Google+ Insider's Guide to all things Google+. We're dedicated to keeping you updated with all the latest news, tips and tricks on Google+, and this official index will serve as a one-stop catalog of all our How-To articles, as well as all the news & updates we've covered over time.
Circle Sunday: Anti-Theft Lunch Bags, London Riots Cleanup & Eureka Cancelled
Circle Sunday a web series about Google Plus, hosted by Sonia Autry. For a complete list of topics and this week's suggested users to circle, visit our website. Today's Topics:
News: Google+ Finally Improves Comments
One of the biggest complaints people had about Google+ was comments on popular people's posts taking over their streams. Today Google addresses those issues by rolling out the ability to collapse and expand comments. +Jonathan Terleski explains the simplicity of the function - click once to expand, click again to collapse. Check out how the collapsed comments work in the screenshots below. It's as simple as clicking an arrow.
News: Participate in Google+ Usability Study, Update iOS Google+ App, & More
Check into this spreadsheet from +Kimberly Johnson if you want to participate in a Google+ usability study! Although right now it's only open to people in the Bay Area, you can still sign up fo the phone study. Onsite participants get an American Express gift card.