If you have a WordPress blog, you probably know by now that Google will be retiring Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger blogs on March 1, 2012. I’m thrilled about this because I’ve always hated Google Friend Connect but have never had the cahones to delete it from my blog. I just did, and it felt great. Now, in its place, is a Google+ badge. I have only recently begun using Google+, but I love it and would be thrilled if you added me to one of your circles. Google and Facebook are vying for the most popular social network, and by the end of 2012 we will have a better idea who is going to win that race. For now, I use both, so feel free to follow me on both, and I will do my best to follow you back.
If you have a WordPress blog and use Google Friend Connect, click on the notice on the box in your sidebar for instructions on how to keep in touch with your followers.
I'll happily add you on G+ (and just did!) but I'll be honest, I really don't think it's gonna catch on. Unless something drastic changes, FB already won, IMO.
I'm not convinced!
I'm on G+, but rarely visit there. Should probably incorporate that into my schedule, but I don't think I'm there yet. Who knows, in a few weeks, I could be wacky about it. For now, I'll add you.
It's hard to do everything. I don't do Tumblr or Pinterest. There just isn't enough time. You have to pick your 2-4 favs and stick with those.
I LOVE G+ and just circled you 🙂 I was never able to figure out how to get Google Friend Connect on my WP blog (it never worked when I tried) so I'm kind of glad now that I gave up trying 😛
I hate Google Friend Connect! And thanks for circling me. I'll circle you, too (sounds like we're having a hoe-down).
Just circled you. Google plus isn't that big yet, but I predict it will grow. I love the fact I don't feel like I'm in danger of being scammed every minute like I do on FB.
I think Google+ will grow, too, and as soon as I figure out how to add the people who have added me, I'm going to circle you, too!
All you have to do is hover over their name and it will bring up a bubble that has the names of your circles in it. Just click the circles you want to add the person to 🙂
Thanks for the hover tip, Rebecca. I just followed everyone back.
I'm not a fan of Facebook or google+ honestly–even though I'm on both. I like Twitter. But just wanted to say, isn't it kind of freeing to take away that follower count? I recently moved my blogging to my author website and gave up the big following I'd built on Fiction Groupie. I was stressed about losing that precious number that took 3 yrs to but I've actually felt like a weight has been lifted. I know there is a new tool out to replace friend connect called Linky Followers, but I couldn't bring myself to add it to my blog. I like not having that label. 🙂
I do have the FB follower box, but I'm SO happy to get rid of my Google Friend Connect box. What purpose did it serve anyway? At least I know FB followers are getting my updates. I like Twitter best, too, by the way. I never even check my Google Reader anymore. I just read links through Twitter.
Oooooh. I didn't know that. (See, you actually learn new stuff from reading blogs….) I thought about removing the followers gadget once before but several people said the one virtue of it was that it alerted folks when there was a new post. Of course now there's that "follow my email" button so perhaps it's time to rid myself of that ridiculous mill stone.
I know nothing of Google+. I should look into it. Not least of all because my brother-in-law works for them so I should be supporting their mom & pop operation, shouldn't I?
I hope you have stock in Google!
*I* have stock in Google and it's done well!
Google+ is similar to FB, but allows you to send a status update to certain groups of people (circles) rather than everyone at once, which is a huge advantage. I haven't used it much yet either, though.
I didn't know this either! And yes, how freeing. And how sad that Google is doing this to force us onto Google + although maybe it does make more sense in the long run, if they're essentially the same function. Thanks for reporting on this.
It's war between Google and Facebook! And Twitter! Google will now include Google+ updates in Google searches, but not tweets. And there's a rumor that FB is developing it's own search engine. Hard to believe it could compete with Google in that arena.
I just added you. I don't think G+ will get to the FB level any time soon, but it may stick around as a viable alternative. After all, FB (the site) needs to make money for FB (the company) to make money, but Google can afford to subsidize G+ for a while if they want. I was reading an article recently which said that, for a lot of people, G+ has a higher signal-to-noise ratio because it came later and people are tending to be more discriminating about who they add. So, for some people, FB is where all their relatives and former co-workers are, and G+ is where they add the people they're really interested in.
I should put a G+ thing in my sidebar.
Interesting about the signal-to-noise ratio. I wonder if that's really true. And you can always hide people on FB. Thanks for adding me, by the way. I will add all of you once I figure out how!
I find FB really annoying. I only joined up to use it to flog my novel. Perhaps I'll check out Google+, but I'm already exhausted trying to keep up with my blog, FB page, Twitter, read other blogs, yadda yadda. Of course, I'm slow-witted when it comes to tech and generally lazy, so that doesn't help.
I hear ya, Steven. Social Media is a full-time job, which leaves little time for all my other full-time jobs. I do love Facebook because I'm able to be in touch with so many family members and friends I wouldn't otherwise, but I love Google+ circles. It's just a matter of time before FB creates something similar.
I am glad I find you. I want to delete Google Friend Connect from my blog http://specialasianfood-orientalcookbook.blogspot… since Google Friend Connect has retired on 12 March 2012
I would appreciate if you can assist and give me the steps to do it. Since I have google+ I shall add you to my circle of friends. Is it possible to put Google+ in the blog and how do you do it.
I also saw on your website that you are a freelance writer. May I know what do you offer?
Thank you and I wait for your reply soon.
Sophia Lim
Author-Founder http://specialasianfood.com