Google Circles the Social Network Idea

BY JESSICA HOLLEY
ANCHOR JIM FLINK

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Rumors are swirling that Google is working on its own social network. If you believe the rumors - Google Circle would work by having groups of people in circles allowing you to share things specifically to that group rather than to all your friends like on Facebook.
“Circles aims to have a return to controlled levels of interaction. So you may share one thing with family and another with friends, then yet another with ‘friends’; what we used to call acquaintances.”

Bloomberg Business Week Editor Brad Stone says the rumors are just that.

“A blog reported that Google would be making an announcement earlier in the week. Google disavowed it and said they didn't even get the name right. It won’t be called Google Circles. We do know and have known for quite some time that Google wants to add some social functionality to its search engine and other services and we will probably will be hearing about that later this year ”

But Search Engine Watch Blog thinks Google doesn't need its own social network -- isn’t it already kind of like one?

“Looking at some of Google products, it is hard to think there is not a long play for social in the mix. Your Google Account has the elements with its social connections and social content.”

And a Fox News blogger thinks either way - users wouldn’t go for it -- since Google accounts store personal information that could make users vulnerable.

“When you trust Google with such private information as your daily prescriptions on Google Health, you don’t feel motivated to start to friend request your high school classmates…”

And do you remember Google Buzz and Orkut? They’re widely considered Google’s failed attempts at becoming more social. A Which Works for You blogger wonders: will it happen again?

“If it does launch its own social networking site, despite its size and resources Google will face a tough challenge to succeed in an online social world currently dominated by Facebook and its 500 million active members worldwide.”

Google’s Chris Messina says the company will incorporate social aspects into its products, but has no official plan for a formal formal social network.

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1. By: newsydotcom
2. Categories News & Events
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4. Added :18-Mar-11
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