Will Google+ be a “Facebook killer” or just Google’s next failed social network? It’s certainly gaining traction, with over 500 million users now on board, already half of Facebook’s total. Then again, the average Facebook user spends nearly seven hours per month on the site—compared to just three minutes for the average Google+user. Many of this year’s best posts about Google’s newest social platform were written early in the year. So what makes Google+ special? Google+ Guides and Tips. MORE >>

There is unnecessary unrest that has been buffeting the launch of Google’s newest online social network, Google Plus, and the reason for that is simple:  Google was forced to launch G+ because Twitter blocked Google’s real-time and direct access to Twitter updates. This What has been happening even before the real names scandal is the scandal that any and all Google Plus profiles that were not simply real users with real names were deleted en masse. Back on July 3rd, Twitter cut Google off. OK, enough of that. MORE >>

Twitter’s spat with Instagram and Facebook’s continuing restrictions on data use are all about making sure that you use their website and applications — i.e., come to their house  –so they can serve you the ads that make them money. But if the conversations and content came directly to you — precisely where and when you needed it — would you ever choose to go to Facebook? Companies like Google and Apple are positioned to shift technology in that direction … and possibly to THEIR direction. Is this the time for Google+? Agree? MORE >>

There are lots of success stories and case studies documenting business success through Twitter. 1) Using Twitter search and other simple listening tools, monitor real time conversations about your brand that can assist your marketing and management teams in seeing what is really being about your company today. There There are a variety of free and effective “listening” tools available to allow you to save searches such as Tweetdeck and HootSuite. One 2) Customer service is a popular use of Twitter by many companies and other organizations. Facebook, etc. MORE >>

simple tool like Google Alerts would pick up most stray citations. The explosion of social media has led to a corresponding need for more sophisticated monitoring tools that can crawl the hundreds of social networking and bookmarking sites and millions of blogs across the globe. rapidly proliferating collection of tools are being developed to meet the need. You can find a list of more than 150 social media monitoring tools here or close to 200 here , but—that can seem overwhelming. If I overlooked your favorite tool, leave a comment below. No more. MORE >>