Could Google+ Be a Big Minus for Biz?

Google+ has rolled out to a "select" group of invitees (up to 10 million according to Mashable) this week and I have to say, from a consumer perspective, the company has proven once again why they are the ringleaders in all things search and social related. The ability to categorize groups of people into "Circles" or combine multiple texters into one chat stream is the kind of "no-duh" thinking that has made Google famous.

However, from a business perspective I think companies should be wary of the new tool. Here are a few thoughts on it:

1) Circles - Circles is a tool within Google that helps you categorize people into groups for proper updates. For instance, you may drag and drop your parents into your "family" circle, but keep them out of the "friends" circle to spare them the details of your wild Saturday night.

Here's the problem for business owners, even if the users love your company, they'll put your business in their "acquaintances" circle or highly more likely, drop you from Circles all together. You'll be missing incredibly useful data that will now only go to friends and family circles. Items like what type of car the person is looking to buy or his or her missives on their current "insufferable boss." Important information that could help you sell a service or avoid a toxic employee.

2) Sparks - This Google tool shares topic feeds of things the user is interested in, such as cycling, recipes or the latest celebrity gossip. Again, from a consumer perspective - awesome. From a business perspective - not so much. Because Google+ recommends blogs and the feeds that go into this section, business blogs and articles can be bypassed as customers rely more and more on the information Google hand feeds them through Sparks.

With Google+ a little of a week old, and still in the beta stage, it's still too early to tell if these tools will make a measurable impact on the way consumers take in and share information (think the failed Google Buzz.) But from what I've seen to date, Google+ is going to change the way we communicate and download information, and that alone should be reason for you as business owners to educate yourself on how it works and how it may impact the way you market to customers.

Have you been invited to Google+ and if so, what do you think of the tools?