Facebook ‘friends’ may not be welcome on Google+

Is Google+ a ghost town? A lot of people feel it is because their “friends” and family are not on Google+, they are on Facebook.

But comments by some avid Google+ users seem to suggest that “friends” from Facebook may actually not be welcome or invited on Google+.

According to Google+ tips and tricks guy M Sinclair Stevens, Facebook can be likened to your small hometown, where you know or supposed to know everybody. Google+ on the other hand requires big city thinking, where you get to connect with people based on shared interests and values.

To put it another way — on Facebook you might run into some small town problems like friends and family getting all up in ‘your business’. On Google+ you will probably run into some big town problems where nobody cares who you are, only your passions and interests.

In fact, Stevens is not alone in thinking that Google+ is fundamentally different to Facebook. In his book What the Plus, Guy Kawasaki, former Chief Evangelist for Apple, puts this sentiment across even more simply:

Facebook = People
Google+ = Passions

Do we already have too many social networks? The answer is probably yes. But do we have a social network that meets all our needs as complex social creatures that we are. The answer is probably no.

Consider this. Next time you feel like going home to friends and family, then Facebook is there for you and has got your back. But if you want to get out of town, to pursue your passions, explore the world and meet like minded people, then Google+ is waiting for you with open arms.

As an example of this, meet Daria Musk, a young lady with a passion for music who decided to take a step into the Google+ world by performing free live concerts on Google+ Hangouts. This video is her short success story.

Another example you might want to check out if you are a cooking enthusiast is of these chefs providing cooking lessons via Hangouts and turning that service into a real business. You can even hangout with them on Google+ if you want.

And next time you feel like changing the world, you might want to join a Hangout with the UN Secretary-General and question him.