IMC Hawks Blog

Google Buzz or Google Bust??

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On February 2, Google introduced their latest product Google Buzz.  This added “social” feature, which is built right into Gmail, allows users to start conversations and share information (pictures, videos, links, etc.) with those they contact the most.  Google Buzz is essentially designed to evolve Gmail into a social networking platform that simplifies the process of sharing both public and private information with those on your contact list (aka: your Gmail address book).  You can follow anyone who has a Gmail account by searching for them by name or email address.  You can instant message, as well as post your latest “buzz” in real time (without a character limit, may I add) and this is all done through your Gmail account. Voila! It’s email, Facebook and Twitter all rolled into one.  Genius.

Yeah, not so much.

Over the past week, as Google continues to work out the kinks of its new interface, many feel as if they have fallen victim to an invasion of privacy.  With all of the noise we keep hearing about protecting your “online image,” especially in this job market and economy, when a private conversation is accidentally publicized…well, you can put two and two together.

In a recent interview with CNBC regarding the privacy issues Google Buzz has created since its debut, Eric Schmidt the CEO of Google Inc. said,”If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. If you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that search engines –including Google –do retain this information for some time and it’s important, for example, that we are all subject in the United States to the Patriot Act and it is possible that all that information could be made available to the authorities.”

So, maybe Google Buzz will be what the next buzz-worthy addition to social media.  Or, maybe Mr. Schmidt should prepare for his own little buzz-worthy bust.

Laura Ann Klinedinst

Comments

5 responses to “Google Buzz or Google Bust??”

  1. Ashton Brooks Avatar
    Ashton Brooks

    There is always something new introduced in the technology world. With this particular “invention” of google buzz it exemplifies what the present gmail should look like. This relates to advertising as rhetoric because it is trying to show viewers and possible users how everything should be or look like in the present. It isn’t “gmail” without all of the added features. However, like all new technological inventions, there is a glitch in the system and it doesn’t appear to be as productive and accurate as advertised. Google buzz has advertised this new product to incorporate a social media aspect in hopes to reach new customers and make an impact in the commodity culture.

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  2. Caleb Musser Avatar
    Caleb Musser

    I agree that in principle the new google buzz seems to be an optimum social networking tool, but that it is too risky to develop the largest search engine into a Facebook/Twitter. Already people can type in a name of someone in Google and pull up someone’s facebook page. It is already a difficult process to keep undesirable content from popping up on a google search, (Tiger’s mistresses, Brittany Murphy’s drugs etc.) Obviously these sad stories are of high-profile characters, but with the new buzz what’s to stop our dirt from showing up as well?

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  3. Sara Wagner Avatar
    Sara Wagner

    The Google “Buzz” seems like a copy cat network to Facebook and Twitter. As we talk about brands in class and the stories they tell, the Google Buzz might hurt Google as a brand. Although this relates to Epideictic advertising, meaning Google is focusing on the present and what consumers want, this may hinder their brand image because of its copycat tactic and risks of invading privacy.

    Reply
  4. Zack Hamby Avatar
    Zack Hamby

    This reminds me of the 4 C’s of consumerism. Google is clearly trying to appeal to the convenience aspect. Gmail allows you to do so much already, why not make it the next social networking site? Clearly there can be a situation of being too convenient; once your personal information becomes too easily accessible to the public.

    Reply
  5. Chad Graves Avatar
    Chad Graves

    Socialnetworking has become one of the biggest parts of American society as a whole. It has also become particularly important in the IMC industruy. The introduction of google buzz is one of the latest trends in this phenomena. However,I do not see it becoming as popular as the many sites they are in competition with. I believe that they are trying to tackle to many things in one project. The people that use twitter use it for different purposes than those that use facebook alone. I agree that the invasion of privacy could potentially be a problem for google as well. For instance, I have a gmail account but would not be pleased if people started asking me to IM them because of it. One thing that I am curious about is what other social networking sites feel about goodles attempt to break into the scene. Do they feel threatend by google? Or do they, as I do, believe that it will be a faild attempt to branch into socialnetworking? Despite having a commodity and narritive driven culture, I do not think google will be able to keep up with their competition.

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