Google+ is a social networking site developed by Google in 2011 that has over 300 million monthly active users, making it the second largest social network globally. It includes basic social media features like profiles, status updates, and photo sharing, as well as video calls and a "+1" recommendation button. While marketing on Google+ provides advantages like influencing search rankings and reaching a wide audience, there are also risks like users ignoring advertisements, security issues, and competitors copying strategies. Overall, the document recommends that marketers utilize Google+ due to its large user base and potential advantages it provides.

2. GOOGLE+
Google+ is a social networking tool
developed in 2011 by Google Incorporated.
With 300 million monthly active users (as of
October, 2013), it is currently the second
largest social networking site in the world.

3. USER DEMOGRAPHICS
• 63% male, 37% female
• 22% of online adults visit Google+ at least once a month
• 42% of users are young adults, aged 18-24
• 31% of users are 24-34
• 70% of the top 100 inter-brands use Google+
• 5.3 million unique visitors in the U.S.
• Most users fall into the middle class income bracket, earning
between $30,000 and $149,000 a year

4. FEATURES OF GOOGLE+
• Includes basic social networking elements such as profile
photos, “about me” sections, work and education history,
interests, status updates, etc.
• Users can organize people into groups for sharing, called
“Circles”
• Offers free video conference calls called “Hangouts”
• “+1” button allows people to recommend sites, similar to
Facebook’s “Like” button
• “What’s Hot” stream shows what Google+ users have interacted
with most
• Online photo editor “Creative Kit”

5. MARKETING ADVANTAGES
• Great for small businesses to network with the people in their
community
• Great for search engine optimization; Google+ influences search
rankings
• Google+ is growing rapidly, meaning your customers will most likely
eventually be using it too
• Marketers can increase their reach and influence by developing a strong
following
• Can utilize Google+ Advertising to promote business
• Interaction with customers through Google Hangouts
• Ability to track in depth analytics
• Ability to create “Circles” based on demographics that you are trying to
reach

6. MARKETING RISKS
• Social media users become irritated with the “clutter” of
advertisements and promotions on their feeds
• Users may begin to completely tune out advertisements and
sponsored posts made by businesses
• Hackers pose a security risk to spam your followers
• Marketers must be very careful about what they post so they do
not offend their audience
• Competition may take notice of what you are posting on
Google+ and begin to emulate your tactics, possibly stealing
business from your company

7. CLOSING STATEMENTS
In conclusion, Google+ is a rapidly
growing social media platform that
marketers must take advantage of. The
advantages greatly outweigh the risks,
and with the 300 million active monthly
members, it would be senseless to not
utilize this tool.