GOOGLE BUZZ TO KILL FACEBOOK?

In early February 2010 Google launched a new weapon to take over the world. They called it Google Buzz. If you use their Gmail you will see a small icon appear, this automatically gives you the service.

The term Buzz Marketing has been around for awhile. I defined it in 2009 as “A word of mouth approach initiated by marketing managers, it uses Consumer Generated Media to encourage individuals to influence their peers in regard to the product or service.”

Google have effectively scooped up this generic definition to call it their own. News reports launching the service suggest that Google will compete face to face with Facebook (excuse the pun). And others say it will wipe Twitter out. Other commentators see it as just another Google product that will not change anything. One comment I saw was the rumour that Twitter may be “bought” by Google.

Then there are privacy concerns. Careful analysis of any one person means the amount of contact with people can be evaluated thereby establishing strong links between networks. This plays hell with journalists who use email with private informants, imagine the ramifications for lovers, suppliers who want to keep suppliers from competitor eyes.

Twitter comments started as quickly as Google was launched so here are a few tweets taken at 11 February 2010:

• must remember that Google buzz is not a private chat amongst friends but public..like out there in everyone's face for all to read & comment

· WARNING: Google Buzz Has A Huge Privacy Flaw

• I turned Google Buzz off

• It's surprisingly hard to get to someone's profile in Google Buzz if you are already following them.

• Can someone explain to me why Google Buzz when there's Twitter?

• Warning: Buzz has huge privacy flaw. By default everyone can see who you email often

• just so others know, there's a way to turn off Googlebuzz, at the bottom of the page in tiny letters next to "Gmail view"

• I've got Buzz now connected to everything allowed. Let's see if this tweet creates some sort of soc-med location-based paradox.

• to buzz or not to buzz, that is the question - in addition to should I have tomato or vegetable soup for lunch?

• Google just renamed the "Spam" folder in gmail - it is called "Buzz" now

• Buzz vs Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter (Feb 2009): Are you tired of the noise in the ...

• I'm on FB, Twitter, Now I gotta Buzz!?When am I supposed to find time to punch nerds in the face?

• so disappointed on Google Buzz.....back to Twitter, Facebook, etc.

• So, now its not just Tweet, Stumble, Digg or Scrap..its alsoBUZZ!!!

• Why I Think Google’s New Social Media Service Should Buzz Off!

• Okay, I'll try to give this Google Buzz thing a chance

• Twitter to launch T-mail and T-Talk to counter Google Buzz

• The most important info in this GOOG Buzz article was how to edit my profile and secure my privacy

• Who at Google went to their boss and said 'I have an amazing idea!' and then explained Buzz? Then why did that boss say 'Yeah, sounds good'?

• Google Buzz Criticized for Disclosing Gmail Contacts (PC World via Yahoo! News)

• Its pretty useless if you already use twitter/fb/ms. Google continues on its quest to do everything.

• No Google Buzz for Apple apps store, no surprise after Google Voice issues

• Anecdotal response among friends to Google'sBuzz suggests it's even less popular than the iPad

Take a look at Google’s main official links for the lowdown

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/introducing-google-buzz.html

http://www.google.com/buzz

By Nigel Bradley, Market Researcher and Academic