Last week Google introduced Google Buzz, a social network “built right into Gmail so you don’t have to peck out an entirely new set of friends from scratch.” This was an aggressive push into social networking for the search giant, who is hoping to capitalize on Gmail’s massive installed user base, estimated at 176 million in December according to Comscore.
Though the launch generated an enormous amount of discussion online last week, Buzz wasn’t well received by all. Privacy concerns soon dominated the early discussion of the service, and Google was forced to roll out a set of changes quickly to address Buzz’s privacy issues, such as disabling the auto-follow setting.
As users got to grips with how best to use Google Buzz, the tech and social media industry was busy wondering what it all meant for Twitter and Facebook.
I’ve been closely following things this week, so I thought it might be worthwhile to use the space I have here to list out all of the articles from that I’ve been keeping track of and referenced above. They make for some interesting reading, and you might miss some if you just skimmed the top section:
- Official Gmail Blog – A new Buzz start-up experience based on your feedback
- Washington Post – Google Buzz Abandons Auto-Following Amid Privacy Concerns
- VentureBeat – Google says VP’s comments misconstrued, not taking Buzz out of Gmail
- Wired.com – Google Takes On Facebook, Twitter With ‘Buzz’
- CNET – Will people leave Facebook for Buzz? Fat chance
- PC Magazine – Google’s Buzz Puts Facebook, Twitter on Notice
- Official Google Blog – Introducing Google Buzz
- TechCrunch – Google Buzz Privacy Issues Have Real Life Implications
- FT.com – Technology – Google seeks to quell Buzz privacy outcry
- Mashable – Twitter Users React to Google Buzz [STATS]
- CNET – Buzz off: Disabling Google Buzz
- Mashable – Google Buzz: What It Means for Twitter and Facebook
- Computerworld Blogs – Google Buzz — and you thought Facebook had privacy issues?
- The Newt Web – How To Use Google Buzz. The Unofficial (and Frequently Updated) Guide
Personally, I don’t know what to make of Buzz just yet. Facebook and Twitter suit me just fine, and last week I shut Buzz off until I could have a proper play with things. I plan on looking at The Next Web article above closely when I eventually do.
[A portion of this post is cross-posted on the We Are Social blog]
