Posted by Craig Canning, VA Classroom

http://ow.ly/16H5jM

There’s a new kid on the block in the world of Social Networks, and if you use Gmail, he’s already living on your street! Google recently unveiled Google Buzz, a Social Network that’s built right into Gmail. If you have a Gmail account, you might have noticed a colorful balloon that showed up on the left-hand side of the page – that’s Buzz!

Google had some great ideas when they unveiled Buzz. Check out this YouTube video posted on the Official Google Blog to introduce Buzz:

Unfortunately, despite these good intentions, Buzz has caused some frustration among loyal Gmail users. For example, the blog post “Buzz off, Google: Social networks should always be opt-in, not opt-out” highlights the fact that all Gmail users were enrolled in Buzz without being asked first. Furthermore, Google automatically made a social graph of your most-emailed people and made sharing of that graph opt-out instead of opt-in. As this article explains, “it’s super easy to miss the check box, and the default should always be the safest choice.”

In Google’s defense, they listened to users’ feedback and have introduced some improvements. The Official Gmail Blog reports that the following changes have been made to Buzz:

1. There is a more visible option to not show followers/people you follow on your public profile.

2. You have the ability to block anyone who starts following you.

3. There is more clarity on which of your followers/people you follow can appear on your public profile.

Given Google’s popularity and history of creating quality products, there is definitely the possibility that Google Buzz could someday rival Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think? Are you ready to tell Google Buzz to buzz off, or do you think Google can rise to the challenge of making Buzz the best Social Network around?

Posted by Craig Canning, VA Classroom

About the author

Brenda Violette, wrote 40 articles on this blog.

My name is Brenda Violette, Online Business Manager. I partner with business owners like you to grow your online businesses to new levels of manageability and profitability. I have a passion to work with entrepreneurs who started their business with a dream of creating independent wealth for themselves by doing what they do best, but who find running the business piece is getting in the way. One day flows into another and you can’t remember when you felt in control of your business – it feels now like it is running you! New business growth ideas are always coming along that sound great, but you don’t necessarily have the time and expertise to determine if these “bright and shiny objects” are the answers to your business challenges. My role as your online business manager is to manage your business operations, projects that generate revenue and team – to get things done and ultimately give you back your life. Be sure to download my new eBook, “Grow Your Online Business To New Heights With An Online Business Manager”, http://www.VBSOnlineBusinessManagement.com

• Blog