#buzz api

Looks like Google has announced their plans for Buzz and have declared a "Time of Death" to make it official. Buzz wasn't on my list if important networks so no big change for me or my clients. On the other hand, I am seeing some interesting strategies for personal branding and business with Google+. Hangouts have real potential for some creative applications. One weblebrity, Felicia Day, used hangouts to promote her latest web show in a really smart and creative way. Google+ doesn't have business pages yet but you don't have to wait to start building a community and branding. I'd live to hear your thoughts on Google+ for your brand or in general. My Google+ profile: https://plus.google.com/116147149643068099181/posts

Amplify’d from digbatonrouge.com

LOSER: Google Buzz; failed social network, RIP

“In a few weeks we’ll shut down Google Buzz and the Buzz API, and focus instead on Google+,” said Bradley Horowitz, Google VP of product, on October 14. The social networking experiment begun in 2010 will now be nothing but a memory. The changes go into effect this January. Jaiku, Google’s other failed social site, will also be swimming with the fishes, but Google + seems to be thriving. Forty million was the last member count. Will you join my circle?

Read more at digbatonrouge.com

I'm actually glad to hear this, it was awkward having it still exist with Google+. Don't get me wrong, I was excited about Buzz when it launched, but it just didn't expand beyond a small niche of people. At the very least I'm sure it was confusing for users to know if they should post to Google+ or Buzz or both. One thing I'm wondering if they'll be bringing over from Buzz to G+ is Google Reader integration; when I shared something on Google Reader it was posted on Buzz as well, and comments where synced between them. It actually gave some value to sharing articles/notes on Google Reader. However, Google has been very conservative to not allow anything to automatically post to G+, likely in hopes to avoid G+ turning into a noisy feed full of auto-posts. Feedly has a integrated G+ nicely into their reader, we'll see if Google Reader gets any love from G+ in the future.

Amplify’d from googleblog.blogspot.com

In a few weeks we’ll shut down Google Buzz and the Buzz API, and focus instead on Google+. While people obviously won't be able to create new posts after that, they will be able to view their existing content on their Google Profile, and download it using Google Takeout.

We learned a lot from products like Buzz, and are putting that learning to work every day in our vision for products like Google+. Our users expect great things from us; today’s announcements let us focus even more on giving them something truly awesome.

Read more at googleblog.blogspot.com