Google+ for business
Nearly a month ago, Google+ launched Google Pages, allowing businesses to use the social network legitimately after initially banning profiles being set up by brands. We were very enthusiastic about the launch, but that quickly faded as we realized there was no multi-administrator option allowing more than one person to run the Google Page which means whoever set it up via their personal account is the only person who can use the page which is extremely limited for any brand that consists of more than one person.
We anticipated Google+ would add that functionality, but they still have not, stunting many brands’ use. In a Live Q&A on Google+, Google’s Kristoffer Sorensen was asked about when multi-admin would become available to which he noted “before 2012.” It was our hope that the answer would be “tomorrow!” or “next week,” but all they can say is that it will become available sometime in December, giving them another 30 days which to us is not soon enough. Maybe they will surprise us as they have before, but as it stands, Google+ Pages never should have launched without the ability to be managed by multiple people.
Other changes coming
Google+ noted today that other changes are coming soon as well. Analytics for Google+ Pages is coming soon and they say page management from mobile devices is a priority but announced no timing for this feature.
Google Hangouts on Air have not been deemed a sure thing as they are currently only available to a small group of testers as identified by Google+ staff. They also haven’t committed to events integration which they were asked about today, but say they are “actively thinking about” it and are looking for feedback.
One of the annoyances of social media managers is that there is no way to schedule posts or auto post, and Google+ says there is currently no way to do this but that they are “talking about” it.
While Google+ is keeping buzz about the product up by rolling out small features one or two at a time, some of these features are major oversights that we all know will be addressed, but will it be soon enough? Many Google+ Pages have already been abandoned and most are holding back on investing any time in the social network professionally until at least the multi-admin option is available.
Are you using Google+ Pages? Are any of these features holding your brand back? Tell us your experiences in the comments below.
