Google Me: The Newest Social Networking Platform

July 8th, 2010 by Search Influence Alumni

It seems like every other blog post I write has something to do with Google’s latest attempt to takeover the information superhighway. I guess it’s a testament to their ability to always evolve and never stagnate. The latest news from the Internet gossip train is here and it’s a pretty big undertaking on Google’s part. This time they’re setting their sights on Facebook with their own social marketing project tentatively titled Google Me.

There hasn’t been an official announcement from Google yet, but according to Facebook former CTO, Adam D’Angelo, it’s a top priority and it’s definitely coming. The news was first leaked by Kevin Rose, founder of Digg, in a tweet that Google immediately requested he take down. Scandalous…

The only news regarding the design is that it’ll be a combination of Google Profiles and Buzz, their failed attempt to compete with Twitter. The project may have gotten it’s start back in 2007 when Facebook snubbed Google’s hefty offer to purchase them and unexpectedly went with Microsoft.

Personally, I don’t see much of anything competing with Facebook for quite some time and if Buzz is any indication, Google won’t be the one to do it. They do have a few things going for them, though. Facebook has been taking a lot of heat recently for their privacy issues. Google needs to keep this issue fresh in the minds of their users while not falling into the same trap. Buzz had many of the same privacy issues that Facebook had, so I’m not sure whether or not this will happen. They did recently add an alternate homepage that supports SSL encryption, so I’m still hopeful.

The biggest thing Google Me will have going for it will be its inevitable ability to integrate all of the other products Google has under its belt. The prospect of having Gmail, Maps, Profiles, and a (hopefully) great social networking site rolled into one makes me absolutely giddy. This could potentially boost Google’s entertainment value to more than simply Googling yourself or knowing when the street view camera will be passing your house…